Helen Salisbury: Don’t ask Jeeves—ask your GP

GPs are busy. There’s a mismatch between available appointments and patient demand, with growing dissatisfaction over waiting times.1 And while we’re trying to look after everyone—from new baby checks to end-of-life care, managing preventive medicine and treating complex, long term health problems—patients are being bombarded with advice to consult their GP.Some of this advice is sensible. If you have blood in your pee, a changing mole, or a cough that won’t go away, don’t ignore it: see your doctor, as it could be serious. But much of the advice is task shifting or back covering to avoid liability, either from commercial companies or from other parts of the health service. Recent examples I’ve come across include:If you have a health condition, seek advice from your GP before using our product/attending our gym.If you need help understanding this (hospital) letter or any of the terms in it, please ask your GP…
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