'We were heroes last year, and now it feels like we're being blamed for everything'
GPs in York are urging people to be patient over appointments, as the NHS faces some of the most severe pressures in its history.
GPs in York say misinformation over appointments and waiting times has been 'hurtful' for staff.
It's as the BMA warns the NHS is experiencing some of the most severe pressures in its history.
Surgeries have come under attack from politicians and some sections of the press recently over waiting times for appointments, but Professor Mike Holmes from Nimbuscare has urged people to 'stop vilifying GPs over appointments'.
The BMA says: "GP surgeries across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with rising demand, practices struggling to recruit staff, and patients having to wait longer for appointments.
"Alongside these long-term trends, GP practices have been at the forefront of the NHS’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak whilst maintaining non-COVID care for patients throughout."
Doctor Rumina Önaç is a GP for the Old School Medical Group in York, and is the RCGP Yorkshire Faculty Sustainability Lead. She told Greatest Hits Radio York that the attacks on surgeries have been hurtful and damaging: "It really dampens morale, and the health service runs on a lot of goodwill.
"We like to think of ourselves as friendly and generally happy people, and we try to pass on the spirit of positivity onto our patients.
"We've tried to be super positive all throughout the pandemic to keep our patients going, and also to keep each other going.
"When we read things like this in the press it feels unreal.
"We were heroes last year, and now it seems like we're being blamed for everything. It's very upsetting"
"It's something that we see every morning when we go to work, and we just kind of wonder what the headlines are going to be next. There was a headline blaming GPs that toppled a headline about the refugee crisis in Afghanistan, which just seems crazy".
Doctor Önaç says dangerous misinformation has spread about GP surgeries and opening during the pandemic.
"We aren't closed, we have never been closed. At the beginning of the pandemic we were very swift to adapt to reducing the spread of the virus.
"We moved over to a system to minimise the virus and keep our patients and staff safe. We had a system of telephone triage where every patient gets called; the idea was to send patients down the right pathway as soon as possible.
"We could deal with some things over the phone; medication reviews were very straightforward. Many patients have said how much they value the ability of having a telephone consultation, especially given the stress of parking, time off work and childcare.
"We also appreciate that they're not for everybody, and of course some people need examining. We always offer examination where we think it's appropriate and necessary, and we do it in the safest way possible.
"That includes doing a home visit if needed".
The BMA says that "Looking at the last year, between June 2020 and July 2021, the number of GP partners reduced by 924 doctors. This decrease means that despite an increase of 1,189 salaried and locum GPs over the same period, the number of qualified GPs only increased by 265 in this time".
One of the myths that GPs are keen to debunk is that the job is a 9-5 role.
Rumina says: "We'll often offer appointments early in the morning before work, and we'll stay until the work is done. I'll often be ringing patients after 7pm and they'll be surprised to hear from us. That's the reality of the healthcare system.
"Take your health seriously and your health service seriously. Please be respectful to our receptionists who are doing an amazing service.
"If you're unhappy with the service you need to vote for change and contact your MP. The government has not been supportive of the NHS and it's the government who has neglected patients.
"We all want our health service to last for future generations. We really value patient support, and please keep phoning us if you're unwell - we're absolutely here to support you".