Local GP overload warning

With the winter months approaching and the expected increased strain on the local doctors surgeries anticipated, health chiefs are asking residents to consider whether their ailment really needs the help of a doctor.

Powys Teaching Health Board said that GPs “continue to be under incredible pressure and need your help to ensure that they are able to help those in most need”.

The Board issued a statement last night to reiterate that “patients don’t always need to see a GP to get the help they need”, pointing out that there are other sources of help within the practice team, including Practice Nurses, advanced practitioners, Pharmacists and others.

“Since the onset of Covid we have also seen that we don’t always need to see these healthcare professionals face-to-face,” said a spokesperson. “Regardless of who you see, telephone and video consultations have proven to be extremely effective and have a number of important benefits including:

• More consultations can take place
• Patients don’t have to travel
• Risk of spreading infection is massively reduced.”

Wales First Minister, Mark Drakeford, confirmed last week that remote consultations are here to stay to enable GPs to concentrate on only seeing those face-to-face patients that really need it.

The health board has also issued the following guidance:

Accessing primary care services

Alternatives to your GP include:

Pharmacists – your high street pharmacist can help with many minor illnesses and ailments and you don’t need an appointment.

Physiotherapists – did you know that you can self-refer to physiotherapy services in Powys? Just visit our website www.pthb.nhs.wales/find/physiotherapy  or call your local hospital for details.

Occupational Therapists – you can also self-refer to Occupational Therapy. Call your local hospital for details

Practice Nurse and Advanced Practitioners – If you do call your GP your needs will be assessed and it may be that a Practice Nurse or Advanced Practitioner is the best person to help you. They are highly trained and are able to support patients with a wide range of needs.