Waiting Times At The Doctors

[jennyjoan]

There is an article about a little 5 year old boy who was asthmatic - turned away from his doctors for being late 10 minutes - he went to hospital and died (Wales)

I was in my own doctors last Friday waiting to pick up my prescription which I ordered online 4 days earlier. Nowhere was it at the immediate surgery nor was it in the other surgery some distance away. Luck would have it the receptionist said it never was done.

Meantime as I was waiting for this to be printed out - perhaps easy 10 minutes - a patient went into doctors and as my prescription was eventually printed out BUT had to be signed by doctors I waited another 40 minutes. Other patients were getting exasperated at the waiting.

The moral of my story is - all around the walls - To the Patient - if you are late for 10 minutes - you will not be seen - so rebook an appointment.

Now does where my story and those of the waiting patients leave them. They were easy waiting 40-50 minutes.

And of course to the little boy who died sadly.

[Mamyalynne]

This one? A little girl.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-43196732


Tragic.

[Islay]

It was a little girl!
Whilst tragic you cannot expect a dr to see everyone who is late! What is so difficult about turning up on time?

[Islay]

Perhaps they were running 50 mins late because they waited for patients who were 10 mins late. It has a knock on effect you know.

[sunny-dave]

It cuts two ways, Islay - if GPs routinely saw people on time, I'd be happier with a "10 minute rule" for patients.

What does need addressing (and charging for) is "no shows" - no exemptions, no get out clauses - if you don't show up, you pay.

[jennyjoan]

I am only stating about the little girl (sorry I said boy) - but no trouble for me - I am extremely punctual - I actually turn up about 30 mins before my appointment so no problem at all.

I am asking how can a doctor say if you are late 10 mins when the actual doctor is keeping patients 40-50 minutes. Do recall a few years ago I waited one hour and 15 minutes. It was dreadful.

[sunny-dave]

A 'late patient' only affects running times if the GP is running to time (ie virtually never) and no-one else is waiting (which covers the few remaining cases).

[EcclesCake]

I’m more than happy to wait as it suggests the Dr is being thorough or is dealing with an emergency case.

Having been on the receiving end of an appointment that lasted 40mins, I have learnt to be a patient patient.

[jennyjoan]

In this case as far as I could see - the doctor wasn't actually running late at 40-50 minutes - she was examining a patient for that actual time. A lady and her baby

[cleodog]

A few years ago our doctors surgery only had one receptionist. I turned up for my appointment the usual ten minutes early but there were an elderly couple in front of me at the desk and another two people behind them. Consequently when I got into my doctors room I was ten minutes late and was greeted with “ You”re late! “ My doctor was very surprised when I snapped back with “ oh no I’m not!” I told her what was happening at the desk and that she needed to get at least one more receptionist. The next time I went in they had a new desk set up with three receptionists working on it. I don’t mind being told off if I am in the wrong but when I get there on time I do!

[bednobs]

"In this case as far as I could see - the doctor wasn't actually running late at 40-50 minutes - she was examining a patient for that actual time. A lady and her baby"
you cant really complain in the same breath that docotrs don't care about the patients and then they die and that they are thorough causing you to be late

[maggiebee]

Had a GP appointment at 2.30 this afternoon. Arrived at the surgery at 2.15 and took out my Kindle to have a read. However was called right away and was out and on my way home by 2.30. I appreciate I am very lucky at my practice, never having to wait long for appointments and (almost always) seen on time.

[Old_Geezer]

The moral is they should never have replaced the 'turn up and wait' system with the doctor friendly, 'book an appointment to be ill in the future' system.

[anthro-nerd]

Maybe we're called patients because we need patience.... that story of the little boy is shocking.

[maggiebee]

Remember that system OG - just turned and waited to be called. Remember my mum always took her knitting with her and usually ended up having a blether with others waiting. No hassle.

[Old_Geezer]

I have had an experience where I was well early for the appointment. Informed the receptionist and then waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and .... eventually, about an hour after I was due to be seen, I enquired at the desk. "Oh he's been called away, he's not here now." I know what I think of the appointment system.

[vulcan42]

I arrive five to ten minutes early for my appointment and went in to my doctor ten minutes late. I tell him my problem, he tells me about his holiday. I ask what do I need to do to alleviate symptoms, he asks me if I'm going to the air show this year. I ask do I need a prescription, he says he want to go to the air show but his wife won't let him. I get my prescription, leave and get glowered at by the next patient for wasting the doctors time. C'est la vie!

[DarceyK123]

They would never know if I was 10 minutes late at my Surgery as I don't think I have ever been called in on time.

Sounds very harsh, it's alright for them to keep us waiting.

[anneasquith]

It's a brave ( or irresponsible) Dr. Who disregards a child's health, due to their unpredictability when unwell .

[EcclesCake]

Totally agree Anne.

[david small]

I once waited one and a half hours to see a quack with a deep stab wound in my thigh. Blood being held back by thumb pressure. I gave up,and limped out, moaned loudly about indifference, receptionist shrugged.