Twas the GP before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
all the practices were open, even at GP at Hand

The vaccines were put away by the nurses with care
In the hopes that they wouldn't soon be needed next year.

The children all nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of TickTok danced in their heads.

Mom with washed hands and dad's coated in gel
as everyone settled in for the upcoming Christmas by Teams hell

When my phone on the placemat started buzzing, with such a jitter
It must be something breaking on that there Twitter
Away to the desk, I flew in a flash
grabbing the phone to check on the latest doctor bash

Omicron spread across the land like wildfire
Despite vaccination efforts everywhere including the Shire

Christmas parties canceled until we don't know when
Hold, on is that party music I hear from Number 10?

The news of ambulance queues filled my timeline
Hospitals overflowing following the latest NHS redesign
Our hospitals buckle, their staff must be tired and battered
I think of the district nurses and pharmacy teams just as shattered
When what to my wandering eyes should foresee
The latest comments about the 'lazy' GP

As a lone working doc, still at the practice this night
trying to clear the work and get it all right.
Using every system around to answer the demand question
Hear their names, who gets a mention?

On accurx or eConsult,
or is it engage consult
Do I use EMIS with Mjog, but I want X-on,
still loads of Docman, but not on Systmone.
Praise for Ardens, Eva, and primary care IT,
do I need to think about Klinik or AskmyGP?
Patients know best when Doctors care anywhere
Livi is around even with Push Doctor everywhere

Whichever system I use I am still here so late
Wondering how did healthcare get to this state?

With failed promises of 6000 additional GPs
An under-funded system and safety regulations such as CQC
It is no wonder General Practice is under such pressure
If this carries on, il be going out on a stretcher

I leave a message for another patient, grr another missed call
As the media replies demanding face to face appointments, face to face for all!'

Then the health secretary comes on to the news
demanding patients should see the GP how they may choose
The BMA and RCGP speak up and shout
with some GPs wondering if they have any Klout

I ponder the question about the PCN DES
wondering if I can believe anything NHS England says

That the workforce will help and change primary care
Well, for some they have been doing more than their fair share.

With various roles of health and wellbeing coaches, physician associates, and pharmacists,
Social link workers, paramedics, and physiotherapists

A few more roles add extra support
but it seems like our workforce will always be short.
We need more people for primary care to last
But to find innovative ways check out the general Practice podcast

My eyes are getting tired at the screen I glare
Wondering if this is the business of healthcare

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