I desperately want this to be a positive post but I feel it is important to be honest. This week I experienced first-hand how Covid still appears to be taking priority. Despite the proclaimed return to ‘normality’, our GP surgeries are far from offering the service they offered pre-pandemic. In my doctor’s surgery, it is still the doctor who decides which patients they will see. Apparently, it is possible to book an appointment with a doctor of your choice but only if you are able to wait several weeks. So, in the situation where a sudden illness requires treatment, you are triaged via the e-consult process. This week I was prescribed antibiotics and inhalers over the telephone, an examination was not permitted because my symptoms were indicative of Covid. I was advised to arrange a PCR test. I did. The test was negative. My concern is, why is it still the case that patients with symptoms that remotely resemble Covid are not seen face-to-face?  I completely understand we must protect our doctors but surely a triple vaccinated practitioner wearing full PPE should be able to examine a fully masked and triple vaccinated patient?  Surely, we can now make it safer for GPs to do this? I would have been happy to perform a lateral flow test at the surgery and wait 15 minutes for the result. I would have been happy to wait outside until my appointment time. I would have been happy to be examined in a room for quarantined patients. To be honest, I was not overly bothered about myself. My concern was and still is about patients like Jess. How many more serious conditions like cancer are being missed and left undiagnosed? It makes me so, so sad despite all the support with this petition that we do not appear to have moved forwards. I fervently believe GPs are dedicated professionals, they are not lazy or uncaring. I believe they are under enormous pressure, and they desperately need support. If my surgery (this is not Jess’ surgery) are unable to offer a realistic, unrestricted timescale for seeing a named doctor then I suspect this is true for surgeries all over the country. Once again, how can continuity of care be offered? A doctor must know their patients and see their patients, in order to gauge distress and serious illness. Things must change. The cancer crisis is going to get worse and more beautiful, trusting, young people like Jess will lose their lives. Please do everything you can to raise awareness. Share this petition, contact your MP, please do not give up.

This beautiful picture was taken when Jess was four. Her future was bright. My hope, and Jess’ hope, is for no more young lives to be needlessly lost.