Firstly I hope everyone is doing well this weekend and feeling good. How are you finding getting to see your GP? Its pretty much impossible for me, either in person, phone or written. Sometimes worries me that if I have any changes or questions I cant get the answers I need. Anyone else in the same boat?
GP Access: Firstly I hope everyone is... - British Heart Fou...
GP Access
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Redkegs
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Yes it's just the same here. Worries me too. The surgery here on most days has only one GP on duty and he's the most unhelpful doctor I've ever been in contact with - that's if you can get to speak to him.It's so bad here in Lincolnshire that we are upping sticks and moving back to Yorkshire where they have decent medical centres with more choice of doctors.
It's a bloody disgrace😡.
Rant over.
Lily
It's a shame you feel you have to move to get basic medical cover. I'm in NE Scotland and its pretty impossible too, even on e-consults. I wonder where it will end.
I guess it depends where in Lincolnshire you are. Me and my husband are under 2 different medical practices which both cover a trio of villages, and neither of us have any issues getting to see a GP
in reply to MrsSuzuki
I live in North Yorkshire. My surgery has branches in several other towns. It is impossible to get through on the phone so have to fill in a form and often questions not relevant. It is very common to wait 11-16 weeks for an appointment as most are considered non urgent even when to the patient they seem urgent., eg severe menstrual pain happening for weeks. The call handling is done by a private company set up by various doctors. They have no access to ones notes so have to endlessly repeat things they should know.
My sister in Wales and family in other parties of the country have much better service and see their GP quite quickly. Seems a lottery.
gladliz in reply to
Where abouts in Wales is your sister. We come under Betsi Cadwalader health board, which is not brilliant and our local surgery can be shambolic. I haven't seen a Doctor for years now, unless it has been at an hospital appt, all my routine stuff is done by the practice nurses.
in reply to gladliz
cardiff
That's good. I thinknits a bit of a lottery in different places. We get roughly 30 mins in the morning to do an e-consult before it hits capacity as for an actual appointment same again near enough. I once was on hold for a hour just to change a blood test appointment.
I'm moving there! lol
I feel really lucky with my surgery everything gets sorted. I mainly do it all by phone but when they want to see me they get me in after speaking to me if needed which I am ok about. I am in Lincs and have nothing but praise for my surgery. With my RA team I can emIl and I usually get a call within 48hrs or an email reply. Re cardio once referred I was seen within 2 weeks and then the echo 2 weeks later . Papworth still waiting.
It is a lottery which is a shame but I would not move based on my experience as it all works!
I'm in Warwickshire and can usually get a phone appt but not face-to-face. I've lived here for 16months and haven't even met my own doctor; on the 3 occasions I've managed to get an appt it was after having a phone one first and him agreeing to see me because I apparently sounded suicidal, and even then it was only a locum. It also takes 2-3 days for my consultant's secretary to get back to me.
Same here have to phone between 830 and 1030 can never get through did get to see 1 last week miracle about adjusting meds after HA only the second time in 12 months. Never the same 1 either. i live in Norther Ireland
I live in Northern Ireland (Newtownabbey) too Boredom and the surgery I've been with since I was born is in North Belfast. We have to call my surgery between 8:30 and 9.00am and it's one of those "press 1 for......" type of answer systems. Press 1 for an urgent appointment, Press 2 for a repeat prescription or Press 3 to speak with someone, otherwise call between 10 and 12. I've only ever pressed 1 twice in my life (in the last year after a HA and triple by-pass). A doctor called back quite soon and on the two occasions I've called and spoken with them I've seen them later that day. I do know though that the doctors there are all working part-time (seems to be two days a week) and you'd be very lucky to get to speak with your own doctor! Oh - and pre-Heart Attack I hadn't been near, spoken to anyone or visited the surgery for over 13 years - one of the docs told me "you're not exactly what we would call a 'frequent-flyer'"! Carol
I live in a rural and coastal area so pretty poor level of GP cover. That said, the surgery has been pretty pro active in employing other healthcare professionals who are all prescribing trained - so advanced nurse practitioners, prescribing clinical pharmacists, prescribing paramedics etc. I have seen one locum GP who was dreadful (and that is a compliment) but have had several consultations with prescribing pharmacist who was beyond excellent. He is doing the same specialist training as GPs in heart health and really knew his stuff. I was delighted. Seems to me that there may need to be a sea change in our thinking about who we 'see' in primary care - honestly I'd rather see a good, well qualified nurse than a grumpy, overworked GP who is counting the days to retirement.
My GPs are amazing. I ring up dead on the dot of 8am and usually get a call back from the GP of my choice within a couple of hours. If it's chest pain they ring within 30 mins. I also get a choice whether I want to go in or not. We're so blessed at our Derby practice, and I can't thank them enough.
I am also having inadequate response after hospital appointments. Last autumn I had an medical appointment at a hospital clinic. I was told I would get a letter detailing the discussion and the letter would also contain a phone number for me to book a follow up appointment. I was given, at the appointment, an instruction sheet that I could barely read in the good light of the hospital. Still waiting for the letter and need a magnifying glass and a torch to attempt to read the sheet. I feel that appointment was wasted money.
What strange arcane words you are using. A GP? Looking in my history books I note that in the 20th Century they were apparently medical practitioners who looked after their own "patients" making house calls and seeing people in their surgery. You know history books though, I suspect this is all science fiction and we have always had anonymous medical centres where after being number 25 in the queue, those persistent enough will get through to receptionists who will tell you GP's are far too busy to deal with you.
I was told mine was in crisis! I thought that was me!
We have a text 3 or 4 times a week telling us not to go near them unless an emergency in which case go to A and E. I believe the numbers training were deliberately capped by the BMA (not the govt) and couple that with far more women GP's working part time so they can look after the family plus on maternity leave (my last 3 Gp's fell into that category) and far greater population who as they age need more help and you have a perfect storm when combined with the pension matter whereby it does not pay GP's to exceed a certain number of hours or it will impact on their pensions.
There is also a lot of theory coming along what with the nonsense of virtual-rather than real-wards which GP's will be expected to manage to some extent
"I believe the numbers training were deliberately capped by the BMA (not the govt) "
Can you provide a reference to support this view?
It is the government that has put a cap on the number of medical students in training of 7500 a year.
"The number of places available to study medicine and dentistry is regulated by the government and controlled through the use of intake targets operated by the OfS which limits the number of students a provider may recruit in each year."
Health Education England is responsible for medical education in England.
hee.nhs.uk/our-work/doctors...
bbc.com/news/health-6259414...
"women GP's working part time so they can look after the family plus on maternity leave"
Male GPs also have parental and other responsibilities that lead them to working part-time.
Everyone regardless of their sex should be able to balance their work and life responsibilities to stay well.
It was mentioned in a newspaper news report in the last day or so. If people-male or female -work part time for whatever reason then something needs to be done to fill in the lost number of hours. As the number of young female GP's has risen so has the number going on maternity leave. I am not disputing their right to do so but that it leaves a large gap in the total number of hours being worked at a typical practice.
Milkfairy
Here is the reference to the BMA deliberately restricting the numbers entering medical school since 2008.
bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a74....
That's a fifteen year old article. Plus my understanding is that the BMA's vote was advisory, they don't actually decide on medical training, all they were doing with that vote was making a recommendation. It's also a vote incidentally that hardly covered the BMA in glory!
The real issue is that despite university fees there's still a substantial net cost to the exchequer with training doctors (I've heard a figure of £250k per doctor). The cost comes in the short term, but the benefit won't occur until many years in the future (doubly so as any serious increase in doctor numbers would require building new training facilities). The government are unwilling to meet that cost when we have the alternative of recruiting internationally (the NHS has recently passed the milestone of 50% of staff born abroad).
We all have to make our own minds up on the ethics of recruiting trained medical staff from countries poorer than ourselves. The government claims they don't actively recruit in red-list countries, ie a small number of extremely poor countries such as say Somalia. But active recruitment or not, if a Somali doctor or nurse were to apply on their own volition then their application would still be considered. My mother in law was cared for by two wonderful Somali professionals which is why I illustrated the point with reference to that country.
If I'm mistaken in any of these points please let me know, as I'm always willing to change my mind when presented with new facts.
Chappy Chap.
15 years old or not it seems that the 7500 number was adhered to, at least for some years. In this recent article the BMA still seem to be concerned that if too many doctors are trained then some might be unemployed. Don't forget they are a registered trade union who fight fiercely for their members rights as we saw with pensions and hours.
publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi...
We must remember who has been in power since 2010 and that the problem of too few doctors and too few beds has not been properly addressed although new training facilities have now been built.
As the article states, there are numerous related problems most of which are in our power to deal with. Trouble is, as with energy and pensions, we have a short term vision and as the doctors need 7 years for training the problem can be kicked down the road or partially served by poaching medical staff from other countries
Net result is that we have fewer doctor hours through a combination of factors and have been reluctant to address it, combined with a rapidly increasing and ageing population which has led to the problem that started off this thread.
Please see Chappychap comprehensive and factually correct response.
It is the government who has put a cap on the training places of medical students.
The British Medical Association is the professional body representing doctors. Not all doctors are members.
The BMA has no statutory powers.
As I say above, the BMA is a registered trades union who prime purpose is to advance the interests of their members which include shorter hours, better pensions and some sort of guarantee of employment. They wield a lot of power.
Your orginal comment was disingenuous the BMA are not responsible for capping the number of medical school
The Treasury hold the purse strings tight.
In the article you provided, the BMA have also suggested that extra training places along with funding for post graduate specialty training and better working environment are also needed.
The NHS needs to find ways to retain their staff.
I am not sure the BMA, Royal College of Nursing, and other medical and allied healthcare professional bodies have as much influence on government policy as perhaps they would like.
If they did we might have a better funded healthcare system with an abundance of training places for doctors, nurses, midwives and other allied healthcare professionsls.
No, but they had a big say in how many training places should be made available which would have influenced ministers. Like energy and pensions, health seems to be something that, as the solution lies beyond the electoral cycle, it can be kicked into the long grass.
I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree.
I don't think we are disagreeing about the core problem in as much more medical places need to be provided and it has been an ongoing problem for many years.
I don't think either 'side' come out of it with much credit but ultimately it is up to the govt to put a robust working structure in place to cater for an increasing population and increasing demand and this they have failed to do.
It is much the same around here too....I remember when you were feeling unwell and couldn't get to the surgery...the doctor would come to you after his surgery for the day had finished. There was no appointment system you simply turned up at surgery and waited your turn. Progress today? Nah, I don't think so. Of course medical science has improved beyond all recognition and we are lucky to have all the medical expertise we have these days........if we can access it!!. Roy
i live on the south side of Glasgow and my surgery is part of a large medical center with 6 separate doctors practices and other ancillary services such as physio, podiatry etc. I had no issues getting an appointment except for long waits on the phone occasionally. The phone system does let you know how many callers are ahead of you and has several options to choose from ie : appointments, test results, refill prescriptions etc. My surgery has 4 doctors, 2 practice nurses, a nursing assistant/phlebotomist and a pharmacist who I recently saw to reassess my cholesterol medication as my ldl was still too high on my annual labs. . I have had 4 appointments in the last 4 months, only one required the doctor. I have been happy with the care received from all. The reassignment of patients to other relevant medical professionals within the practice seems to be the way forward.
Blimey! Hospital asked my GP to give me a referral for chest x-Ray for continued breathlessness after pace and Ablate. Took him six weeks and still no wiser
I've not had problems with my GP. Some phone appointments are available on line each morning. Otherwise you ring at 8.30. Most things can be dealt with over the phone but gp will give face to face after call if necessary. I'm fortunate I haven't needed an urgent appointment so don't know how that would go. Now hospital is quite a different matter! Rheumatology signed me off in error so have to begin process again! When I phoned about my glaucoma appointment I was told consultant had left and they had missed me when allocating new consultants! Haven't seen heart consultant for several years, just deal with gp.
I know exactly how you feel…. It’s virtually impossible at our GP’s even to talk to a nurse practitioner, unless it’s urgent you can’t ring up for an appointment you have to do an e-consult to which they are suppose to reply with 24hrs (& it can only be submitted during opening time ) the last time I did one it took them 4days to reply! If I have any heart related issues/questions I message my heart nurse, who is absolutely brilliant.
At my practice I have to phone up at either 8am or 11am to try and get to see a GP and 9 times out of 10 all the appts are gone before I get through! It took me three days to be seen for a post op wound infection - I suggested that I saw the nurse but she was booked up for a week! Once you get in the system it seems to work well, but getting in is the problem. I have no idea how you get an appt if you are working and can’t sit on the phone for hours!
Took me a month to get a telephone appointment for blood test results
I live on the Fife coast in Scotland and have no problems seeing my GP if necessary. Sometimes I know I just need to see the nurse practitioner or surgery pharmacist so I’m happy to do that. I had no problems during the pandemic accessing care when I needed it. My routine bloods and check ups were all done as normal. So no complaints from me.
I also live in Fife (one of the bigger old mining villages). I have no complaints either. Always had a triage call within an hour of phoning and if needed an appointment with Doc or Nurse Practioner.
I live in Suffolk. I just logged on to my surgery. No appointments available until 14 March. This is standard. I have never met my ‘nominated’ GP ‘ despite being with the practice for 10 years. Had I followed the advice I got back in August, I probably would not be here to write this. Fortunately I sought private advice and urgently needed 3 x CABG.
So as not to bother them I recently filled in an online form asking for advice. It said they would get back to me in 48 hours. In fact they got back to me in 3 hours which I thought was marvelous. The reply said ring to make an appointment which I did. The nearest appointment for non urgent was 5 weeks time. Whoop hooo.
I have managed to get phone appointments when needed, it's what transpires during the appointment that I take issue with. It took 3 weeks to be refused a referral to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic after being told initially that it was the best next step. This is apparently because I'm under the "care" of a cardiologist that I have seen once in 16 months, and can't expect to have what was supposed to be a 3 month follow up appointment until the spring which will make it 10 months minimum. I have no idea who my GP is, since the 2 senior doctors retired the practice can't retain staff. Econsults have also been scrapped.Hospital appointments take forever, and letters from them get to you after a month at the earliest.
My GP sent a referral to the rapid access chest pain clinic in April last year. I'm still waiting.I've never seen a cardiologist since I was discharged from hospital in December 2021
It's hopeless.
Lily
Such a similar experience to mine. An A&E admission, the discharge notes lost at Watford General Hospital between A&E and Cardiology, so no cardiology follow up. Then 18-months later I experience chest pain again, but no GP appointments for 5 months, and an 11-month wait for a (telephone) cardiology appointment, (due in July...I hope I make it to summer!).
Hubby and I were travelling home on a train from London yesterday and I couldn't believe the amount of new apartments been built since I last went to hosp .It must be thousands and still going.My point is and my bug bear.Where on earth are all of the new tenants going to get gp cover.At already full gps?
The answer is, they won't because there will be no (free) GPs. Market forces will dictate - supply and demand. Old-fashioned, but proven economics. Healthcare is a commodity, just like education, water, electricity, transport. Sadly, too many people read the wrong newspapers, and voted accordingly.
Hi I live in Scotland quite near Glasgow, fortunately I have not had issues with my GP, when you phone, it doesn't have to be a particular time but morning is best I have always got through within minutes to the receptionist, then either a doctor or a nurse has phoned back within 20 minutes. The last time I had a bad cold and I thought it had went into my chest and when I explained that I was told to come down right away I seen the doc and within 30 mins I was home with antibiotics. When I need bloods done usually for kidneys they send me a letter. Thankfully I have received good care from them and the helpful receptionist's make a welcome change from my last practice as some of you might remember refused to treat me when I got my transplant they just left me high and dry, I was well rid of them. Take care all char
The GP service here is everything I could wish for and more. Fast, easy access, and cheerful, competent medical staff.
Unfortunately that proves nothing.
This is a wealthy market town in Hampshire that's a thriving yachting centre. Lots of doctors would like to raise their families here, so there are no shortages of applicants.
The real test is amongst more disadvantaged communities, many of whom have far bigger medical challenges within their local populations.
I wonder if I could afford to move to your town? I'd love to be able to see a doctor.
my grandmother had lung cancer and now Esther Rantzen so off course I have it!
I have so many questions lined up to ask a go. The surgery direct you to E-consult but the form is not fit for purpose and needs redesigning.
I live in a small, sea-side town in the North West of England like a lot of us on here until I received my unwelcome diagnosis (severe stenosis of the LAD) securing a doctors appointment was very low on my agenda of things to do!
Since my Bypass surgery and dealing 1st with a post catheter infection and now all the unwanted side effects of my medications 💊 being able to speak to a medical professional is now at the top of my agenda.
In fairness to my GP practice when I really needed to see a GP face to face I was able to but that was instigated by the GP who on listening to my symptoms said "if you can get down to the surgery in ten minutes I'll see you. "
Sadly, the reality is that with an ageing population and people living longer with serious health problems (I now count myself amongst that number.) We are all going to have to adapt to new ways of doing things Phone/Zoom/email etc.
However, I've just received an appointment letter asking me to be available for a telephone consultation with my Cardiologist this Thursday and I can't for life of me why he can't see me face to face!
Good wishes everyone. Regards, Denis
in reply to
I usually have no problem with telephone appointments. If it's a follow up with a hospital consultant or one of their underlings it saves me driving to and from the hospital and wondering whether I'll get a parking space (sometimes queues for the parks exit the hospital grounds and spill back onto the main road about 300m away causing traffic jams on the main road), and I don't have to pay for parking. Nor do I have to sit next to people who may be ill, like just before the pandemic when I was stricken with a virus for nearly 3 weeks after being infected in a waiting room. I can ask the same questions and get the same answers irrespective of where I am . What I object to however is the situation where I really do need a face to face consultation with the GP and I can't get one, like a potential chest infection the other week where I ended up with a phone interview and the GP prescribing antibiotics as a 'precaution' which, as I understand it, flies in the face of only prescribing antibiotics when needed. And I really do think its time that asthma check ups at my GP practice revert to a face to face session using all the test equipment there is, rather than a telephone chat. I haven't had a proper asthma check up for over 3 years.
MilkfairyHeart Star
I live in North London.
I have a long term heart condition.
I am looked after well by the staff who know me.
I use e consult to request an appointment.
The e consults are triaged by the surgery and appointments and advice offered accordingly.
The e consult form is usually open between 6.30 and 12 noon.
I find it easier than waiting on the phone at 8am trying to get an appointment.
I receive a response by text for either a telephone call or face to face appointment within a few hours.
My heart condition is unstable at present. So last week I put in an e consult in the morning. Received a text with a date for a telephone appointment later in the day.
Following my telephone consult, my GP arranged an ECG and bloods which were done next day at the surgery. I was texted the results the following day.
This meant I avoided needing to go to A&E.
My GP will also offer me face to face appointments if necessary.
My GP is 300metres up the road. My request to speak, see, or anything else told to go to local walk in centre two miles away ! not helpful.
You are lucky. In order to see a GP, face to face, the last time I tried, the wait was 3 weeks plus.
Telephone appointments are 2 weeks away, unless you can convince the receptionist that it's urgent in which case the duty doctor will phone you the same day.
It takes up to 90 mins to get through on the phone and that is the only option. No booking online either via the surgery website or the NHS app.
I got a call back a few weeks ago. Unfortunately in taking my phone out, I disconnected the call. I waited for a recall, but none came. I phoned and was told that I was not going to get a call back that day. The receptionist suggested tomorrow (I was ill), or 111.
111 it was, and I was sent to A&E who diagnosed a bad chest infection and gave me Amoxicillin. A&E were very good, I only had to wait 2 hours.
General practice it really poor where I live (Surrey). Simply not enough GP resource.
NO complaints about ours except that it's impossible to speak to a named doctor. I need to speak to my usual GP about my spinal problems and just get told he's booked up and to ring in a month but for day to day I phone as early as I can; g et told I'm number 24 or 31 or 18 in the queue; lay the phone beside me and get on with whatever I was doing until someone answers which, whatever the number is usually pretty quick. The receptionist books a triage call with a nurse who then either books a phone call by a GP or books a face to face appointment; whichever is more relevant. There's one GP I will not deal with so I usually ask who's on call. I just wish there was some continuity of care by the same doctor.
My surgery has joined up with an online GP service where you can get a video appointment with a registered GP pretty quickly. It takes some of the pressure off the surgery and seems to be very successful.
Hi. Overall, my GP is/has been excellent so can't Complain at all. Even the Receptionists are very helpful, (which is rare I know). Yes, you are Triaged but the Doctor will always phone back usually the same day! I phoned to get some Antibiotics not so long ago, (with a Chest Infection), he saw me the same day! I live in Wales and have nothing bad to say about them 
You have a different govenment there; perhaps that makes all the difference?
Yes we do and you are right, our Government are trying to save the NHS not destroy it! Plus the Good Man above, not God, Aneurin Bevan, is looking down over us!
Yes it does
Fortunatly at present I have been able to see my doctor. However they don't let you book a face to face online it is all telephone appointments. But if I phone the surgery I can get in, admittedly I might be 10th in the que, However personally I do send messages either on the nhs app or on the surgery online Website. I try to use the technology to my advantage. Having been taken on by the adult cardiology department at Norwich I can usually get through to the nurses who are helpful as is the British heart foundation. But the nhs system is broken. From my experience accident and emergency are brilliant. It's the tread mill of the waiting for tests appointments and answers. But the way it seems to work is my cardiologist at norwich will work out the best treatment and then discuss with the specialist departments set up across the country, the way forward. Mainly for me they are in London.
Yes, same here.
I reported chest pains to my GP sugery in August last year, but was told there were no appointments and to call 999 if I felt worse. I finally got to see a nurse in December and was scheduled a GP telephone appointment in mid-January. Sadly, they forgot to phone. Our GP's surgery no longer accepts telephone calls - you can only write a letter, so I took the chance and went in person. I explained that they had forgotten to call me, so when the receptionist suggested another telephone appointment, I said I thought it might be more reliable to actually see a doctor in person. Surprisingly, they had a cancellation so I only had to wait two weeks. When I saw the GP he said he'd make an urgent referral to a cardiologist. I have a telephone appointment with a cardiologist in July. The natural selection process has worked, because I have survived 11-months since first reporting symptoms, so there can't be too much wrong with me.
Sadly, not enough people have yet made the connection between their choice in the voting booth and what happens next. The NHS is being dismantled for ideological and commercial reasons, but none of us wants to believe that could possibly happen to an institution we thought was sacred and valued by everyone. Soon, market forces will apply because those who can't afford the fee to see a GP simply won't get to see a GP; it's quite nostalgic, just like the days before 1948. The same will apply to all areas of healthcare. It's started, but the general public seems aware.
Most medical professionals whom I've interviewed in the past year have said (off the record) "Don't get ill, eat well, exercise, stay warm, keep away from infection (people), teach yourself emergency first aid, learn how to use a defibrilator, stockpile medicines (of all varieties)".
Lots of people on this forum suggest changing GP as a short term solution, but since lockdown that has not been an option (in this area). Perhaps moving abroad might be a better solution? It's very difficult to know what to do. All that is certain is that many poor people will die, and many rich people will get richer.
I'll just stand by for the usual reaction from the usual supects!
This website might be useful in future: teachmesurgery.com/cardioth...
we are so lucky. We have the best GP surgery ever. Recently I had 2 call-backs to discuss my pain (not even anything to do with my heart/respiratory problems) and then a home visit from the GP. Almost unheard of these days. I am blessed with them and I have often said that all GP surgeries need to take lessons from this one. It is Brownlow Group Practice in Liverpool so obviously not accessible to everyone.
I have recently been seen by a GP but it was a waste of time. He gave me a link to a meditation app for chronic pain in my twisted spine. This is the new thinking, chronic pain is all in the mind.
While I am well aware of pain pathways and the body’s natural warning systems. This is of no earthly use to me if I struggle to put one foot in front of the other.
What does the future hold?
Will Handel‘s Water music replace the GTN spray?
Oh so sorry for you! they tried to send me to a pain management clinic for a dental abscess - I cannot describe the pain and the sheer blank wall of indifference from the NHS was incredible. 6 weeks of agony I will never forget. "What do you expect me to do about it?" from the NHS. I'm crying even now just writing about it.
I live with vasospastic angina which is resistant to treatment. I live with pain most of the time. I also have acute prolonged severe episodes of debilitating chest pain which means I need to go imto hospital for treatment with IV GTN and morphine. I am usually in hospital for a week.
Your GP or NHS is not saying your pain is in your mind. They are however recognising that how we react and respond to our pain can amplify our pain.
Pain is complex and I agree that the understanding of pain by healthcare professionals isn't great.
I have PTSD as a result of my poor experiences of care and being left on several occasions in severe pain when in hospital.
I did see a Clinical Psychologist who specialised in Pain Management and attended a Pain management programme.
I learned various techniques which have helped.
I still have my pain but I have learned coping stratergies to live with my pain.
Perhaps give the meditation a try you have nothing to loose.
I can get a phone appointment either same day or within a few days.I can prebook a face to face in about a week.
I had a long wait for double ablation 18 months( national average less) but gp access is good.
North Warwickshire
At my GP's practise it's getting better. But one time I phoned the GP was told no appointments available, phone 111. Did that they said you need to be seen within 4 hours your pratice is still open, they then said we have now assessed you and need to be seen. I phoned GP again and was given an appointment in 2 hours time.
I ring our doctors surgery at 8am, explain the problem and then a few hours later the doctor calls me back. If they think they need to see me I'm given an appointment for that day. No problems here at all, even saw them during covid.
Everywhere I lived it used to be the norm to get a same day appointment for almost any reason. Children were seen within minutes or an hour. If I needed or preferred, the GP would visit usually between 10am and 2pm.Regular checks would be scheduled up to 2 months in advance. Some 6 months.
A referral to a specialist took a week or two.
The current shipwreck is nothing like an NHS. I had to wait nearly 4 months for a fit (sick actually) note which I requested with 2 months notice and followed up at 3 weeks to date required. . The delay resulted in me permanently losing entitlement to sickness benefit from DWP. Futile waste of time and a significant void in funds for survival. I despise my GP Practice beyond words.
I think if GPs weren't so greedy about pay, and shared the work among more people, they could all do far fewer hours and still earn a much higher salary than other professions with similarly demanding training and education. They have put themselves on a pedestal for decades. Too many patients have found themselves suffering ignorant, gaslighting, arrogant and thoroughly unpleasant behaviours from GPs. Unless there's a pretty little NICE flowchart they can't be bothered and the majority, in my experience, are only capable of thinking inside their little box. Few go out on a limb to help anyone with a chronic condition. The extent of neglect and abuse is unforgivable. I have very little sympathy left for them.
I aim to have as little as possible to do with this facade of a folly called the NHS today. It's no longer the NHS and I think it should be renamed something more accurate like Tax-free Profiteering for Shareholders. TFPS.
I guess I must be very lucky as I have no trouble in getting a same day appointment to see a GP at my surgery. I just go online at 8am to see which GPs are available on the day. I guess it is a postcode lottery, but it shouldn't be that way. I am in West Yorkshire.
Yeah it's quite similar for me accept I just go down to my GP surgery in person between 8 and 10 and you get seen that day. Really helped me and feel so fortunate that its like that because most of last month I was up and down that doctors surgery.
My long term regular GP retired. I tried to get an appointment with my preferred GP and was offered one SIX weeks ahead. The practice has 15,000 patients and 6 doctors.They cope with this by offering appointments on the day, but with a 'physician associate' i.e. not a doctor, or with a nurse. Neither of them have read your notes. You get 10 minutes and can only mention one issue. Most older people have more than one ongoing health issue, so this system is hopeless.
A friend of mine had to go to a walk in centre and waited 7 hours.
This is very worrying if you have conditions which need monitoring by a GP who knows your history.
The last straw was when the receptionist tried to give me her medical opinion. She asked me what my symptons were, and then told me that if I had no symptons I couldn't have an appointment. I had to explain that hypertension doesn't have symptoms normally, and then I thought - why am I having this conversation with a receptionist? I will be changing practices.
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