We continue to experience record high demand on services with GP workloads increasing by approximately 30 per cent since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, GPs are pulling out all the stops to ensure face-to-face appointments are still going ahead for our residents with the most clinical need.
In line with many of our services, GPs are making extensive use of telephone and Near Me video calls to enable them to carry out virtual appointments with people from the comfort and safety of their own home.
The objective is to minimise service user and staff potential exposure to Covid-19 and free up vital space to assist our most vulnerable residents and those with the highest levels of medical need.
GP practices have also had to sustain high levels of staff absences after their own staff have been identified as being close contacts with patients who have tested positive for Covid-19.
We are running public awareness campaigns to highlight the pressures services are currently under and to direct people to the most appropriate pathways. For details, visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/recovering-together-accessing-appropriate-health-services/
Dr Linda Findlay, medical director, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, highlighted the current pressures on GP services and underlined how the public can assist.
Dr Findlay said: “We’re working hard to make clear that all services in the community, GP surgeries and hospitals are currently operating differently and at different capacities due to infection prevention and control measures.
“We’re also tackling a misconception that GPs have not been open. GPs and their teams and have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic, not only delivering general practice but also vaccinating our older residents across Lanarkshire.
“In addition, practice nurses and other healthcare professionals have also been involved in the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire. This has been one of the biggest, and most rapidly evolving, logistical exercises any of us has ever been involved in and has been a very high Scottish Government priority.
“It’s testament to our GPs that, despite this vital work and accompanying pressures, face-to-face appointments have continued to be made available for our most vulnerable people.”
