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Jason Manford’s issues getting a GP appointment sparks online debate about the current system
The comedian took to Twitter to vent his frustrations over the current NHS booking system
Jason Manford sparked a huge debate about the NHS this week after sharing his frustrations over not being able to get an appointment to see a GP.
The comedian, from Salford, took to Twitter to vent about the current booking system adopted by the NHS for GP appointments. He explained that he had tried to book an ‘urgent’ appointment for a scan for someone else but simply couldn’t get one.
He wrote: “This country! Tried to book an urgent GP appointment for a scan (not for me) but you can’t get one! You just have to ring up every morning at 8am and hope to get one! How is that a workable system?!”
His tweet instantly sparked a huge debate online, with some agreeing with him but others accusing him of ‘GP bashing.’
One person, clearly having issues with their own GP, wrote: “Yep – I’ve just been told I’m too late to speak to anyone this morning. I said I have run out of tabs and need more. You told me to ring today. No time given. I will now be given a call back. This new system is appalling.”
However, another social media user implored: “It isn’t a workable system @JasonManford it’s broken. The NHS is grossly under resourced & understaffed. GPs are hugely overworked & underrecognised for what they do. Please don’t add to the GP bashing. They’re working as hard as they can with fewer GPs, more patients and less £.”
The comedian followed up his original tweet by sharing a screenshot in which he explained that, coming from a family of NHS workers, he wasn’t attacking the NHS itself, but the system which is ‘underfunded, mismanaged and unworkable.’
He wrote: “As I can see my words being misreported in the press this is the final thing I’ll say on the matter. It’s an upsetting time for my family and so I’m gonna leave you to have the discussion. It’s good to get angry and have these arguments, as long as they’re directed correctly.”
This comes just one week after Rossendale Borough Council raised concerns over the current booking systems and availability of in-person appointments since the pandemic. Councillor Alan Neal said that patients are visiting NHS walk-in centres and accident and emergency departments as an alternative to the lengthy waiting times to see their own doctors.
He said: “This is not a criticism of the medical profession. It is a criticism of the organisational system. A few years ago, CCGs [clinical commissioning group] were were set up across the country but, sadly, that system is not fit for purpose.”