OFFICE OF CHAIR Summerfield House

& CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2 Eday Road

Aberdeen
AB15 6RE

David Duguid MP Date: 29th October 2020

Our Ref: 261020 MP ALC 10 kl
Your Ref:
Enquiries to Prof Amanda Croft
Sent via eMail: Extension: 58552
David.duguid.mp@parliament.uk Direct Line: 01224 558552
Email: gram.grampianchiefexecutive@
nhs.scot

Dear Mr Duguid,

Firstly, we apologise to any patient who is struggling to access healthcare at this time and
would always urge any patient feeling that they are not having their health needs met, to
make contact with their GP practice directly and if required, we would be happy to work
with the practice to understand any difficulties. I am sure you will be aware of the public
information campaign to ensure that people are seeking help, particularly where they are
noticing changes in their health, to ensure we can focus on the essential early intervention
that you describe.

General Practice has remained open to access throughout this pandemic and has
continued to see patients face to face when this is the most appropriate way of doing so.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has meant rapid changes to the way in which Primary Care is
accessed. It is essential to keep footfall in buildings reduced and ensure we do not have
large numbers of people in waiting rooms to comply with the required physical distancing
and maintain the safest environments for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
Appointments are also reduced to allow appropriate PPE use and cleaning of rooms
between patients. For these reasons reduced face to face appointment have been
required to protect staff and the public.

All Practices should be appropriately triaging patient contacts through telephone or e-

consult. Where possible appointments should be continued over telephone, or Near
Me/Attend Anywhere where possible. Practices should however still see and examine
patients where clinically necessary.

Triage, whether it’s done electronically or over the phone, ensures that our patients have
their issues dealt with in a timely way by the appropriate clinician. It also allows clinicians
to decide based on the information given how best to meet that patients’ needs and that
may be telephone, video consult or face to face.

Continued…
I hope this information is of some reassurance and help to your constituents.

Yours sincerely

Professor Amanda Croft

Chief Executive, NHS Grampian