Doctors

[Dizmo]

I'm going to have yet another moan about my local doctors surgery.

I've just called them and asked for an appointment and once again they said that there are no more appointments. I've tried ringing in the morning, the afternoon and even at night and don't seem to be getting anywhere.

I know I'm not the only person struggling to get an appointment with their doctor but this is getting silly.

Other than going private, what do you suggest I do?

[anneasquith]

go to the surgery, ask the receptionist for the first available appointment.

[Dizmo]

anneasquith: done that. All I get is "come back tomorrow at 8am" or ring at 7:55am for a appointment and the doctor will call you back. It's all triaged now so you can't just walk in and hope to be seen.

[2sp_]

It is a nightmare! I think it would be easier to get an audience with the Pope than see my GP.

You phone up, the receptionist then quizzes you on why you want an appointment (it's an open plan reception so everyone hears what she says, and she usually repeats exactly what you say to her!), then you are informed that a GP will call you back to decide if you actually need an appointment. And don't even think about asking to make an appointment at the reception desk, you get a flea in your ear and told to go home and phone them!!

My advice? Go to Uni and train to be a GP yourself. Be the quickest way to actually get some medical advice.

(And a Merry Christmas to you all!)

[Sqad]

In the first 10 years of the NHS 1948-1958, one ALWAYS went to the GP surgery and was seen, although one may had to wait an hour or so.

What has happened since i wonder?

[Dizmo]

Sqad: Search me, I can't even get a sick note (fit note) written and I don't even need to be there for that!

[sunny-dave]

Medicine has moved on, Dr Sqad - and people's expectations have moved on correspondingly. There are many more "interactions per capita" today, than in the 50s/60s

I just don't understand why all these GP surgeries are so carp - I can always speak to a GP (usually of my choice) at some time on the day when I ring in - and always get an appointment for a face-to-face if necessary.

If my lot can do it, then why can't the others - I suspect that Dinosaurus Generalo Practicus has a lot to answer for ...

[anneasquith]

never reveal your symptoms to a receptionist,,, it's none of their business and makes no difference to when you get an appointment.

[Dizmo]

Dave: The surgery I'm registered to was coined the worse doctors surgery in England. If I can find the article I will post the link.

[2sp_]

anne, I always say it's personal and they get really nippy with me! I'm sure the receptionists in our surgery worked for the Gestapo in a former life.

[Sqad]

sunny

\\\\Medicine has moved on, Dr Sqad - and people's expectations have moved on correspondingly. There are many more "interactions per capita" today, than in the 50s/60s\\\\

I am not quite so sure about that...."hospital medicine has "moved on" but i don't see how general practice has moved on, in fact it has moved backwards in may ways.

[Dizmo]

anneasquith: Now when you call you are asked to reveal your symptom(s) unless you do not wish to and to let the receptionist know you are uncomfortable them knowing of your symptom(s) (pre recorded message). It's just easier to tell them (from my point of view), at least then I'll get a fair idea of how many years I've got to wait before they take me seriously.

[bednobs]

yo need to call them earlier than mid morning - first thing

[alavahalf]

I have been off work for health issues for some time now and am awaiting knee surgery. I paid a visit my local GP's surgery hoping to make an appointment. The receptionist asked if I wanted to see a specific doctor. Not being a regular at the surgery I thought this was a normal enquiry. When I said who I would like to see she gave me a date for the appointment. I looked at it and said "thank you, I'll see you in a couple of weeks". She asked me to look at the appt. card again. I then realised it was six weeks until the appointment, not two.
She then advised me to phone again the following morning at 8.00am if I thought it was an urgent and if it was then I would be seen the following day.
It didn't go down well when I said if it was urgent I would phone an ambulance.
What do they deem to be urgent ? because every time I have visited the surgery in the past it seems to be the same faces that are always present in the waiting room.

[Peter Pedant]

Think about a change ? Dizzie

I was discharged from acute med at 9 am and they said you will need beta blockers and NOACs from your GP - and I saw the GP a few minutes before midday. - The docs surgery bloom st Manchester, their internet feedback not surprisingly is great....

[Peter Pedant]

// yo need to call them earlier than mid morning - first thing //

I agree - my first call is usually 08 31

[jennyjoan]

Sqad - the waiting hour is turned into 56 years now. did you not know that

[Old_Geezer]

You need to organise a national revolution and then march to Downing Street armed to the teeth.

[Old_Geezer]

People's expectations have moved on, not back. Thus the discontent at the lack of walk in option that used to be standard.

[Dizmo]

Bednobs: Our surgery don't start answering the phones till 8:55 - the time I rang last week and was told it was an emergency day only. Then when I rang on the Friday they said they would call me back and didn't.

[anneasquith]

go to the surgery and make an appointment !!