Can’t see the doctor

[Greavesy]

It’s become so difficult to get a doctor’s appointment now. You ring up and it’s engaged all morning then when you get through you’re told to ring tomorrow and when you do it’s engaged again !!

[Hidden]

Frustrating, isn't it! I stood outside our surgery 20 mins before they opened on Monday to get an appointment. How elderly or disabled people or those with sick children manage I don't know. AND they are building thousands more houses with thousands more people wanting appointments..... crazy.

[Hidden]

Hello Greavesy and welcome. I see you've just joined us.

Yes, it's not what we've been used to, is it? For so many reasons, primary health is eroding away and for those people who need to see a doctor face to face, urgently or routinely, or who aren't computer savvy, so they can't access the newer online or telephone consultations, you can very much feel that you aren't getting the help you need.

I have a slightly different but connected beef, about being passed from locum to locum for face-to-face consultations on long term conditions. It's made me realize that competency among GPs is incredibly varied as are their attitudes towards patients.

But, I digress. Welcome as you are in this community, at any time, you might also like to join something like the Call to Action group on HealthUnlocked, which specifically caters for people who want to discuss the shortcomings in the NHS.

But as with all things, loss of health services is political and financial. You can only really effect change with your own intervention. Lobby in local groups and nationally, complain to your MP, and use your vote wisely at the ballot box. The more any government thinks we will get rid of them for a particular issue, the more likely they are to listen to us. People power really does work even though it may take a while.

[ywiggan]

Ive completely given up using GP my surgery 7 days a week called at 8.01am all appts gone really!

I live in eastbourne its quicker for to go london to see my gastro team in east london get them to do bloods and get prescriptions than see my GP luckily my gastro team are fab x

[Boudica1]

Hi Greasey, firstly welcome to this forum.

Sorry to hear of your frustration with your DRs surgery, I use to have the same sort of problem with mine but they have now changed the system for the better.

They seem to have managed to catch up some what with the modern world. Mine now has a web page that you can register for use. Most of our appointments can now be booked on line and if its urgent phone to explain whats wrong and get put through to a DR or advised to come in that day.

We can also order repeat prescription on line. Another bonus is we can access our test results and various other things as well, all with out having to pick up the phone and hang on for ages.

This system frees up the phone line and office staff and more importantly save me from going into stress orbit.

[secrets22]

Very annoying I must say ,but recently things have changed for the better here,and when finally I get through I tell the receptionist that I am a carer and if that does'nt work I ask to speak to the liaison lady Helen,and I get immediate attention.

[bluebell99]

My GP surgery has an online appointment booking system but you can only get telephone appointments and that is always with a junior doctor or locum.

On ringing my surgery and after waiting in a queue, I was told my own doctor has no appointments for the next three weeks and to ring in three weeks when his appointments are "open". There was an option to see another doctor but only if it was urgent.

Some time ago I asked for an urgent appointment, was given a telephone consult with a different bored, probably stressed doctor, who on learning of my breathing difficulties and pain suggested I see her the next morning.

Things moved very quickly when she suspected a DVT and Pulmonary Embolism at that next appointment and I was sent straight to hospital. The diagnosis was confirmed and I was treated but how many other patients have had near misses from overworked GPs and an appointment system which is obviously not working?.

[lKeith]

Greavesy

Hi, I know the feeling our surgery is just the same. The only way around it is to go to the surgery in person early (before they open 8.15am. or thereabouts ) and speak directly to a receptionist. It's just the way it is, I have to go around on my electric scooter which takes an age and I get mixed up with school children on their way to school. Don't bother with the phone anymore.

IKeith

[Jeggin]

I do empathise. I have depression amongst things. A phone based triage takes place when you eventually get through to a real voice, they decide whether you meet the criteria for an appointment with whoever is available (absolutely no choice in GP seen) of to receive a phone consultation from whatever GP available next. Then you are given a appointment or the time you will get a phone call. Having to explain over and over and over again about long term depression is traumatic. I've given up.

[Margaret40]

When i call my GP i do not ask for an appointment... i usualky ask to c the nurse... they ask if it is a nedical emergency i say yes (i dont go often)..they give me an appointment for that day... usually if the nurse thinks u need to c the GP she will get u into c them... try that am not saying it will work at your surgery but its worth a try....

[Hidden]

Greavesy, I really urge you to persist despite the stress this all causes. Because of my caring role I was unable to get hold of a GP for my health and in 2016 I was deregistered as a consequence leaving me without any medical care. There was a "pilot programme" to deregister anyone who had not been in contact with their GP for several years. I fell victim to it.

It is all wrong, but the doctors here seem to have very little regard to carers, sadly.