Warning of increased demand on GP services at Portcullis

Posted on July 5th, 2022

Warning of increased demand on GP services at Portcullis

Dear patients we are experiencing a very high level of demand for our services currently due a number of factors which include:

*a rise in Covid positive cases who are poorly,

*rise in cases of chicken pox and childhood viral infections

*increased demand from patients waiting for appointments or surgery with secondary care

*increased demand for assessments for patients with mental health services who are waiting a long time for an appointment with mental health services, child mental health services and dementia services

*increased demand from patients asking for medications to be changed due their pharmacy not stocking their medication, or short term loss of staff in pharmacies in the area

*increased staff sickness due to Covid or other issues impacting on their health

We are currently running with waiting times of 2-4 weeks for routine appointments.

We are trying to get increased locum cover but clearly this is difficult at the moment due to shortage of GPs in Shropshire aswell as the entire country. GP numbers have gone down significantly in the past decade as can be seen in the graph below.

We ask the following from you:

*If your problem is urgent or you are worried that your health is deteriorating please call us or email us, we will always call you back on the day or as soon as possible

*If you need advice on health matters please try and look up advice on the NHS website, or call 111 for advice https://www.nhs.uk/

*If your problem is not urgent and can wait please be patient with our staff, please email us if possible and accept the appointment offered in 2,3 or 4 weeks time, its the best we can do, please do not insist on going on the duty dr list just because you cannot wait.

*If you have a non-urgent problem that can be discussed with a PHYSIOTHERAPIST, COUNSELLOR OR A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MEDICATIONS, please book an appt with our physiotherapist, Marta, pharmacist, Phil, pharmacist technician Julie or counsellor Siri, they are available and often have shorter waiting times than us.

*If you have a non-urgent problem about your care or social care needs or about healthy lifestyles that can be discussed with a CARE COORDINATOR OR HEALTH COACH, please book an appt with our care coordinator Judith, or our health coach Elwyn they are available and often have shorter waiting times than us.

*If you have a problem with a minor illness such as a urine infection, tummy bug, sore throats, or skin infections please ask for an appointment with our NURSES Heidi and Jo who often have appointments with shorter waiting times than us

Many thanks and we apologise for any inconvenience.