Integrated health care in Tameside is like the Potemkin village of Tsarist Russia - fantasy and illusion.

 

I support the NHS but I am also aware of its shortcomings. NHS hospitals and the emergency services have been put under increasing strain because many GP practices have been reluctant to have face-to-face appointments with their patients since the COVID lockdown in March 2020. This has led to greater use of A&E and the emergency services.

Prior to the lockdown, most GP practices had walk-in surgeries and appointments. In many GP practices, walk-in surgeries have been replaced by triage and telephone consultations. Nowadays, it is very difficult to get to see a GP. My GP practice have told me that they have no intention of reinstating walk-in surgeries. They have never said that this is because of a shortage of GP's or because they are under resourced.

There are currently 13 GPs at my GP practice and I received far better medical care and attention when that practice had only two GPs. The rot set in when the old GP practice merged with another GP practice. We were told that nothing would change, but it did, and for the worse.

In the area where I live, Tameside, we are supposed to have integrated care which aims to provide a unified approach to healthcare with GP practices, hospitals, social care services and community organisations, all ensuring that patients receive co-ordinated care across different health needs. The idea is to treat people in the community and keep them in their homes and out of hospital. But integrated care in Tameside, is like the Potemkin village of Tsarist Russia, pure fantasy and illusion. Many of us can't even get to see a doctor and because of this many people who require urgent medical treatment, are paying to go private.

Stump up some cash and grease a few palms and it's amazing how you can jump the queue and circumvent the problems of hospital waiting lists. And the doctors and surgeons who will be treating you in the private hospitals will be employed and trained by the NHS.