Reports that GP surgeries in North Yorkshire are closed and not offering face-to-face appointments are a “myth” according to health bosses in the county.
Amanda Bloor, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group Accountable Officer, told a meeting of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum this week that reports in the national media suggesting that GP practices were closed is just wrong.
Amanda says GP surgeries have been open throughout the pandemic and the latest figures, which are for March, show they have been seeing large numbers of patients.
The total number of appointments offered for March was 55,000 higher than the same month last year as demand for routine appointments has surpassed pre-Covid levels.
Amanda Bloor added that people could expect longer waiting times for in person appointments due to the need to clean waiting rooms at GP surgeries regularly and that, for some people, telephone or online appointments would be the most appropriate way to have a consultation.
Amanda said:
“So just to really reinforce that primary care is open for business and seeing patients, and if anyone is concerned, they can access services in their practice.
“The blended approach to a mixture of face-to-face, and telephone appointments does support our clinical colleagues to make sure that they can reach out to as many people as possible in line with the guidance and to protect the safety of patients and staff.”
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