Hi All
Can you help? Cross posting from Lockdown Sceptics, as nobody seems to know, and I've spent two days googling and I can't work it out either.
Does anyone know, or can they point me at, the specific up to date legislation for GP practices and the NHS, as per the Corona Virus Act? I can find this, but I want to know what’s recommendation and what’s law? https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/ ... tion-a.pdf
I’ve also read this, but am unsure how it applies to GP practices? http://www.laworfiction.com/2020/07/ris ... wn-armour/
Given our overlords are talking about locking up the elderly again, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/20 ... -lockdown/
My dad’s dementia has gone off a ski jump under lockdown, he’s gone from a fit, active, social 85 year old, to incredibly forgetful, anxious and lacking in confidence. His Gp was already disinterested, and so I got him an apt with a Harley St specialist who did a phone conference with me and my dad, he was fantastic and wrote to his GP to ask with help getting some tests and drugs organised. The GP won’t see him, only talk to him by phone.
I want to know what risk assessments, equality impact assessments and what bits of PSED GPs are still obliged to adhere to, as I’m going to send a letter asking them to tell me precisely on what basis they have withdrawn care from all their patients (I’d imagine if you are learning disabled, mentally ill, or very old, or showing funny symptoms that only a GP would spot in person, rather than relying on the patient to self report verbally then accessing care by Zoom might be a bit tricky, lots must be missed by phone).
I’m in a rural market town, where cases are incredibly low, as are deaths, it seems a bit heavy handed that they’ve mothballed an entire 20 GP practice, and nobody can see a doctor?
This is the original corona virus act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/20 ... ts/enacted
This was revoked in almost its entirety, with no fanfare, announcement or anything on 4th July http://www.laworfiction.com/2020/07/loc ... n-revoked/
This is the new act https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/202 ... ion/1/made
That looks to me that they revoked almost everything relating to healthcare provision? My suspicion is this pronouncement by Hancock that care must be remote, isn't in fact law? The reason I say all that, is I think with some legally accurate, fact checked template letters we could start pushing back by asking to see risk assessments, PSED equality impact assessments etc and just force them to do their jobs. I've had success with this in another area relating something else to do with equality law, child safe guarding, risk assessments, and usually one letter is all it takes.
Hello, I have no new info for you but I understand your feelings on this and feel strongly myself that they must now start to do their jobs!
Me too. Nothing to add except I think its 100% disgusting the way the Medics in this country are just silently eating huge pay rises to do nothing except make a few calls.
Thanks
I appreciate some have it worse, but it's so unfair, my dad has paid his stamp all his life, he's entitled to the care. GPs must be coining it in with their 'internal market' by slashing provision like this.
The worst story I heard was a new mum had infected stitches after a tear during childbirth. Rang the practice, and was told to take a photograph of her vagina and text or email it to the practice!!!! How is that risk assessed? How is that consistent with patient dignity and privacy? It'd only take one perv in the practice to upload it to pornhub and that's someone's life ruined for ever.
Risk assessments must be accurate, Covid is only one risk. They should be balancing all risks to do what is in the best interests of the patient. Or put more bluntly, what's the point of being alive, if my dad's brain is turning to swiss cheese and everything that makes life worth living is just ebbing away?
There must be a medical lawyer somewhere who knows the answer? I suspect almost all we are seeing in shops, restaurants, NHS, schools is some enthusiastic little hitler getting very excited at slapping a load of rules on things, I suspect virtually none of them are lawful.
So sorry to hear of your situation. As a group we really need to get organised with this sort of thing: find out who among us are lawyers, doctors, etc. I’m not blaming Simon - it’s great that he started this - but we need someone with time to organise the site. I’m more than happy to do what I can.
I agree, and no not criticising efforts so far, but it does need to be coordinated action, it's all quite scattered right now. I've been involved in campaigning before, you can achieve quite a lot with legally accurate terrifying letters, if the Government is dragging its feet, or pushing responsibility back on local authorities, CCGs etc, then surely we go after them. Plus, it doesn't matter then if we are the minority, it just matters if we are right. It needs a team of people, PR, legal, fundraising, awareness raising, public actions etc. I think then that'd set it apart from the slightly more 'loony' fringes, objecting to all this is not 'fringe' it's absolutely fundamental to our way of life and civil society. I think the silent majority agree with us, but it needs to be done in such a way that we appeal to the majority. What we're asking is totally reasonable after all.
Rebecca, Susan, I agree 100% with your comments about getting organised - and to set up a team of people with skills. I don't have the skills mentioned but would be prepared to be a worker. I think Simon is key to this initially and wondered if you could contact him to explain your ideas. He is a member and can be messaged. Also the KBF team can be messaged - see under Community above.
Simon already has the legal team working on the challenge and there must be other professionals who are prepared to help. But this would be more effective coming from him. This thread will go down the list eventually unless lots of people comment and then the impetus is lost.
Thank you for suggesting this - it is the only way forward IMO.
My GP surgery is planning to re-open in a few says time - no face/face appointments - telephone triage - visit surgery only in emergency - no home visits - must wear a mask - I am highly critical of this surgery having had a telephone consultation recently where I was told to go for a walk in the countryside to 'ease' consistent 24/7 spinal pain - I have no confidence I will get a service from them
Sorry to hear that, but here's the thing, I don't think that's lawful, and at the very least they should have equality impact assessed it, and risk assessed it, I don't think they can do that. I just wish I could get a clear answer on what the rules are, and then I'[m quite happy to go to war with our local GPs and even the county health authority. How can it be, after telling us to 'protect the NHS' (not my job, it's their job to protect me!), they can just withdraw care?
I stood out there and clapped twice when I suddenly thought like you that the NHS were supposed to be there for me not visa versa. I live in a small village and was quite surprised that there was a lack of support here, now I am glad we sussed it. My surgery works Mon-Fri 8am - 1pm, 1 hour for lunch and then 2pm - 6pm. and the only thing that is good about them is they dispense drugs on the premises where the collection point is the busiest part of the practice. No one will come near you without wearing the full monty, makes you feel as if you have leprosy. Cushy number if you can get it and a 6 figure salary.
This thread is now continued in ACTIVISM/Written to the Royal College of GP's. Please follow as it's very important.
I can't give you that info but I think that would be an excellent idea. We all want to know where we stand if we need medical help. If there isn't a full dervice, we should not be fully funding it.