Coronavirus (2021) thread

[grunge]

I’ve had 5 in the last 12 months but do get the feeling I’ve been lucky

Its good to hear that at least some are still doing Face to Faces.

I do think a hybrid approach is a good way forward from now on. im guessing they can get through more patients via phone for more routine stuff.

My parents have managed to have a fair few hospital appointments between them this year but never managed to get a GP face to face.

 

[Healdplace]

I see GPs have opted out of making home visits to vaccinate those stuck at home.
GPs really have covered themselves in glory during this pandemic (NOT).

I agree. But it may not be their fault as noted. I needed to see my doctor andwas told to book a phone call back from them to be 'reviewed'. I did and was given a date for the phone call 12 days later!

I did not bother on the assumption I would either be better or in hospital by the time they could find 30 seconds in their obviously busy time to call. And I accept there were others to prioritise so decided to wait and see.

They are only seeing people in person if they would otherwise be going to A & E I was advised.

This was a few months ago and up to the pandemic they have been very good. And I have had no problem going there to have two flu jabs and one of the three vaccines there (they were not allowed to do the other two by regulations).

I gather they have amalgamated lots of surgeries into one super practice spread over a wide area and they are delegating different things.

It is regulations not the staff I suspect behind the mess.

 

[andyhinch]

I agree. I needed to see my doctor andwas told to book a phone call back from them to be 'reviewed'. I did and was given a date for the phone call 12 days later!

I did not bother on the assumption I would either be better or in hospital by the time they could find 30 seconds in their obviously busy time to call. And I accept there were others to prioritise so decided to wait and see.

They are only seeing people in person if they would otherwise be going to A & E I was advised.

This was a few months ago and up to the pandemic they have been very good. And I have had no problem going there to have two flu jabs and one of the three vaccines there (they were not allowed to do the other two by regulations).

I gather they have amalgamated lots of surgeries into one super practice spread over a wide area and they are delegating different things.

It is regulations not the staff I suspect behind the mess.

I get a phone appointment the same day and a face to face within 5 but I that’s not the case across the board.

 

[Healdplace]

I get a phone appointment the same day and a face to face within 5 but I that’s not the case across the board.

I did too at the same practice last year before the merger.

What I did this time was telling. I ordered my monthly prescription and included a note saying I was'self medicating after being unable to talk to a doctor' so not ordering one of my usual drugs as Google said it might be causing my symptoms. I had to follow that as I could not get to speak to a doctor.

They called me the next day.

Like I say I do not think it is doctors as much as red tape and huge pressure given all the extra vaccinations they are doing not just for Covid but flu. But I do not think the loss of a small local practive to become a part of a conglomerate has helped.

 

[BlueAnorak]

the WHO have said there have been no deaths from omnicron variant globally

it’s in many of the papers but you never know which link to post on BM so plumped for local paper .

New Omicron Covid-19 variant has caused no deaths yet, says WHO

However the WHO has warned that it could take weeks to find out more about the variant including how infectious it is

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

To be fair we haven't had a long enough time period to see that yet, but it looks good.

 

[BlueAnorak]

I know I'm being pedantic but:

Omnicron is a Normal-type Nexomon who is the legendary King of Monsters and the father of all Nexomon.

Omicron is the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet and the name of the latest Covid variant.

No need to thank me;-)

Be as pedantic as you like.
I regularly use Omnicron in my work as it is a system name and spell checking changes things on the fly.
It does appear to be a bit of a monster though doesn't it.
We should really call it Xi but that would have offended China

 

[BlueAnorak]

I agree. But it may not be their fault as noted. I needed to see my doctor andwas told to book a phone call back from them to be 'reviewed'. I did and was given a date for the phone call 12 days later!

I did not bother on the assumption I would either be better or in hospital by the time they could find 30 seconds in their obviously busy time to call. And I accept there were others to prioritise so decided to wait and see.

They are only seeing people in person if they would otherwise be going to A & E I was advised.

This was a few months ago and up to the pandemic they have been very good. And I have had no problem going there to have two flu jabs and one of the three vaccines there (they were not allowed to do the other two by regulations).

I gather they have amalgamated lots of surgeries into one super practice spread over a wide area and they are delegating different things.

It is regulations not the staff I suspect behind the mess.

Very true.
The thing I really can't get over is when my father needs an appointment he needs a face-to-face appointment as he is very hard of hearing. What do they not understand about that?

 

[Healdplace]

To be fair we haven't had a long enough time period to see that yet, but it looks good.

By the looks of it the most cases are coming in younger people - exacty as they are in Delta in the UK.

That is a key part of why hospitilisations and deaths are falling here despite huge case numbers for months. Alongside the high vaccination rate V South Africa.

So we may well have to wait and see what happens as and when Omicron impacts the more vulnerable. How much will greater vaccination protect them or will it be breached to a degree that leadsto more serious illness.

It is tempting to think this is going to be good news and the signs are hopeful. But it is too early to be sure on that. If it does what it is doing in South Africa in the entirely different situation in the UK we can start to think good things. But we are not there yet. Though UK cases are not as yet accelerating through the roof. Omicron cases found are still only around 300 v tens of thousands of Delta I gather. If it has been here weeks it is not yet that dominant.

 

[BlueAnorak]

By the looks of it the most cases are coming in younger people - exacty as they are in Delta in the UK.

That is a key part of why hospitilisations and deaths are falling here despite huge case numbers for months. Alongside the high vaccination rate V South Africa.

So we may well have to wait and see what happens as and when Omicron impacts the more vulnerable. How much will greater vaccination protect them or will it be breached to a degree that leadsto more serious illness.

It is tempting to think this is going to be good news and the signs are hopeful. But it is too early to be sure on that. If it does what it is doing in South Africa in the entirely different situation in the UK we can start to think good things. But we are not there yet. Though UK cases are not as yet accelerating through the roof. Omicron cases found are still only around 300 v tens of thousands of Delta I gather. If it has been here weeks it is not yet that dominant.

Quite.
Omicron would have to be 2.5 times less virulent to have the same impact on the NHS as Delta judging by the rate of infectiousness that appears to be present.
Also we haven't got a clue yet as to the effect of vacine and previous infection immunity escape. Also how infection rates in winter in the UK will change as opposed to summer in SA. For Flu the effect of seasonal change in the UK is massive.

 

[Octavian]

Just on International travel/tourism. I don’t see it as a luxury whatsoever. Millions of livelihoods depend on it, countries depend on it and many travel for work. It can’t just be switched off without it having a huge detrimental affect but I will agree, it has to be managed and all I would say is keep the costs of tests or quarantine down to a level that covers the costs and doesn’t make a few people insanely rich and ensure those who you want to isolate for the greater good are not put out of pocket because the chances are, many will simply ignore it.

Very good point. It isn’t just about the middle classes fooking off on their jollies, it’s entire societies around the world who’s people rely on tourism for their livelihoods. There’s always a **** or two somewhere trying to make a wad off any situation.