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Public urged to ‘be patient’ with GPs during vaccination drive

Public urged to ‘be patient’ with GPs during vaccination drive

NHS England’s director of primary care has asked the public to ‘be patient’ with GPs while they focus on Covid vaccinations over the coming weeks.

Dr Nikki Kanani’s comments came after the Government asked GPs to prioritise booster vaccinations above all routine care until 31 December.

Speaking alongside the Prime Minister and chief medical officer at a Downing Street press conference yesterday, she said she wanted to ‘reassure’ patients that GP teams ‘will also protect urgent and life saving care alongside cancer care’.

But she said that as GPs ‘will be vaccinating more again’, patients should ‘be patient with your NHS and with your general practice teams, because they’re trying to do everything to protect you as quickly as possible’.

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She added: ‘My thanks of course need to go to our NHS and voluntary teams who once again are pulling out all the stops. I know that you’re tired, I know that this feels hard, but I also know that you can do it.’

NHS England has urged any PCN not signed up to give Covid boosters to ‘urgently reconsider participation’ and it has said GPs will be ‘compensated appropriately’ to run vaccination clinics over the Christmas period bank holidays.

However, GPs are still awaiting detailed advice from NHS England, BMA and RCGP regarding remuneration and clinical prioritisation.

Also speaking at Wednesday’s Covid briefing, CMO Professor Chris Whitty warned that the expected ‘sharp peak’ in Covid cases caused by the current wave of the Omicron variant would lead to staff shortages in the NHS.

He said: ‘There will be significant problems of people actually providing staff, to man and to generally be able to look after any part of the health and social care system.’


          

READERS' COMMENTS [4]

Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles

Cameron Wilson 16 December, 2021 10:36 pm

To be fair the vast majority of the population/patients are more than understanding and indeed have impressed me on more than one occasion their selfless and appreciative quality. The problem comes with the small but significant percentage who believes the world resolves around them. Unfortunately they will only realise what they have lost when they have to pay for it.

Slobber Dog 17 December, 2021 7:46 am

Thanks Nikki! I get such a warm feeling when NHSE are supportive in this way.

David Jarvis 17 December, 2021 3:15 pm

Based on past performance I am not sure I feel supported by NHSE at all. Be patient now but the kicking can restart once the vaccines done. Hmmm.

Patrufini Duffy 17 December, 2021 10:45 pm

Thank you. This is the best Xmas message I will ever read. Ever.
Be patient.
Or be potent?
And you impotent.