Instead, most surgeries are asking their patients to contact the surgery between 8.30am and 10am. In most cases they are given an automated message saying their call has been put in a queue meaning that some people can be holding on to the call for up to an hour. This is extremely stressful, especially for our older people. Having to respond to a WhatsApp request to describe your symptoms can cause further distress. Not everyone has a mobile smart phone or computer or the technical skills to cope with technology and people who have adult literacy problems can become reluctant to seek medical attention.

Anthony stated patients who prefer or need to arrange a GP appointment either in person or by telephone should be accommodated as it is not always possible for patients who are feeling unwell to articulate over the telephone or by Zoom exactly what their medical symptoms are. While The Workers Party recognises the problems General Practitioners are experiencing, they are the primary care service.

They are the start of the patient journey to other diagnostic and medical services.

Anthony pointed out that in areas of deprivation where most health inequalities are prevalent, access to a GP in a straightforward way is imperative. He acknowledged that although telephone triage may suit some patients, he warned that one size does not fit all. Having a certain number of in person appointments available that can be arranged in advance is certainly one solution, as are open surgery days.

Anthony concluded that the Workers Party believes one major factor is that GPs are independent contractors who can give back their contract simply by giving notice to the Department of Health. This is happening more often. Some GP surgeries in Northern Ireland are offering fee-paying appointments (meaning those with the ability to pay can jump the queue) and some have taken on private patients.

This practice goes against the founding core principles and values of the National Health Service (NHS) set up in 1948 by Nye Bevan, “free at the point of entry regardless of class or creed”. GP services should always be free of cost and GPs should be employed directly by the NHS. This may also help to recruit and retain more doctors and could help tackle health inequalities that have become worse over the last decade.