.

• Seeing the GP profiles: health professionals

No details given

Caitlin has a rare long-term condition called Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy disease'. She has no movement below her neck and needs a tube to help her breathe more easily. She wishes that doctors and nurses didn't have to tick boxes and that patient's views could be taken into account more often.

Amy recently visited the GP for a number of things including IBS, overactive sweat glands, and a breast lump. She felt that GPs should look at everything' when making decisions and not just at how something looks. Giving reassurance to young people who live on their own and have little support was also important.

Winston has seen the GP for various problems, all minor, including athlete's foot, an eye infection, and a misaligned (crooked) toe. He felt satisfied with the care he'd been given over the years but would like to see more information in waiting rooms on sports injuries. Having lived in several different places, he'd also like to be able to register with a new surgery more easily.

Hannah rarely goes to the GP but, when she does, she asks for an emergency appointment or goes because of her son. She has generally had a positive experience of GPs but finds appointments difficult to get and that the waiting list is sometimes very long. She feels quite comfortable with doctors and likes seeing one in particular who has known her and her family her whole life.

Hazzan rarely visits the GP as he is usually healthy, though recalled seeing the doctor for chicken pox and vaccinations (injections) when he was younger. He felt that GP surgeries should have more resources for young people, including leaflets and posters on mental health, sexual health, healthy relationships, puberty, and stress.

As a child Susan saw the GP mainly for minor problems. As she got older, she saw the doctor because of several ongoing problems including ear infections, irregular periods, fungal infections and a rare eye condition.

Vinay was diagnosed with a urinary infection but, when the pain continued, he found it hard to get tests done because of confusion over where he was registered. He went to see a GP several times in his home and university cities, as well as to A&E. Calcium deposits and kidney stones had been causing the pain.

At university Sarah had depression. She was prescribed medication and went for counselling. She feels better now and is no longer on medication. She felt that the GP who'd helped most genuinely cared and didn't see mental health as a tick box that needs solving'.