Finally decided to ring my surgery to see a doctor - not that they've helped much in the past, since my lovely old GP left, but i was desperate! Was told that they're changing their computer system, and aren't making ANY bookings until - wait for it - SEPTEMBER!!!!!! Otherwise, you have to ring at 8.30 am - and I know that rigmarole - first, you get the answerphone, then you get the engaged signal, then - when someone finally answers the phone, you get "Oh, sorry, all the appointments have gone!!!"
I did tell the receptionist to tell the Practice Manager that, regardless of their IT issues, this was NOT acceptable - bet she doesn't!
Grrrrr....... - what happened to "doctors"????
Rant over
Love
Thorny Rose
Written by
BriarRose
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We dont even have to have IT problems at our surgery , if you try & pre book its 6 to 8 weeks wait thats with the system running
Same if we phone for an appointment as well , just like yours all taken by 5 past 8 , even though they dont open till 8 !
Now the only way to get one is be on the door step & wait for them to open , not good if you are not well
As mine isnt in walking distance , I am just glad my hubby can go for me , otherwise , I would have to be in a Taxi at 8 to go & get an appointment , but it would be the only way , I would ever get in
I no it doesnt help you , but no you are not alone with the way you GP surgery works
I know, Why, and i'm sorry you have the same problems! I think it's disgraceful! I'm not one to go on about "the good old days" -there was a lot that was bad about them! - but when you think:
GP home visits - gone
24 hour care by your own GP/practice - gone
Seeing the same GP on a regular basis - practically impossible!
Got an urgent problem that isn't life-threatening - get yourself to A&E and, sorry if it's 7 miles away and you don't have transport and it's 2 in the morning, tough!
Now it's all money, targets, computers - the old GP-patient relationship has gone!
And they get up to £100k per year for this crap!
One of the reasons my old doctor left was that she didn't want to get involved in "commissioning" services - ie deciding what to pay for and what not.She said she was an "old-fashioned GP who cared for patients" - a "dying" breed, i suspect!
If - and it is an if, cos i don't do mornings - i ring at 8.30,I've got into the habit of using my mobile, which costs money - my landline is free - because it has auto-redial on it, just keeps dialling until someone answers!
Hi my Lizard - sorry yours is rubbish as well, I just told my sister, she couldn't believe it - she gets an appointment with HER doctor within a day or two!!!! So it CAN be done!!!
Not brill, Liz, but surviving - hope you're okay, hun!
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