NHS chiefs have backed GPs under significant pressure as they continue to adapt their way of working throughout the pandemic.

The Lanarkshire service say criticism has been "unfair" on GPs as many people misunderstand the strains put on local doctors.

They have been thanked for their commitment and professionalism as they help manage these pressures across all health services.

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This has included beginning to manage children and some other patients who are unwell with respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms.

NHS Lanarkshire say they are experiencing more pressure than at any other point in their history due to sustained pressure from Covid-19 and ongoing sickness absence.

Heather Knox, chief executive, NHS Lanarkshire told Lanarkshire Live : “Our GPs have done a fantastic job throughout the pandemic and deserve all of our gratitude for the professionalism and commitment they have shown in adapting services and coping with the challenges of COVID-19.

“Their input has been vital to ensuring that we care for and protect the sickest in our communities and keep our health services safe.

“I know patients have been frustrated at times due to the way that COVID-19 has affected all health services.

"This has led to some unfair criticism of GPs in particular and I don’t think people have always understood the level of pressure they have been working under during the pandemic.

“The fact is that our GPs have been doing their absolute best to care for patients through a challenging time.”

The message to the public is that GPs are open and have been throughout the pandemic but have been busier than ever. And GPs have had to change the way they care for patients.

This has involved maintaining safe infection control measures and minimising physical contact.

It has also been stressed that the third COVID wave, coupled with a significant increase in complex cases attending hospitals and staff sickness absences, is having a profound effect on the number of people accessing healthcare across Lanarkshire.

Dr Linda Findlay, medical director, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “The safety of our patients is always our top priority. We continue to see sustained pressures on the health and care system.

“Health services across Lanarkshire are being delivered in a different way than before the pandemic and I would like to thank GPs for all that they have done and continue to do for their patients in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

“All our staff continue to work extremely hard to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible in the most challenging of circumstances and ask that people please be kind to our staff and colleagues who are committed to caring, no matter the circumstances.”

Help and advice for locals is available on NHS Lanarkshire’s website including their ' Ask the expert ' service.

Lanarkshire residents can also visit NHS Inform here.