Waiting time to see your doctor

[Snoopy23]

Hello, I am struggling to get a doctors appintment at my surgery in the Greater London area over the last few years my surgery has become so busy it's nigh on impossible. Today I was told I can't actually book an appt. with any doctor until the 19th September. To try and get an appt on the day I've been advised to queue at the surgery at 7.30am in the morning as they'll release a few appts each day first thing in the morning. Is this normal? Trying to call usually ranges in anything between a 10 to 30 minute wait on the telephone. Frustrating to say the least..

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It seems to be fairly common. I live in a fairly rural area and our surgery covers not only our small town (population just over 2000) but nearby villages as well. It can take anything up to 30 minutes or more to get through. My son once had his mobile phone and landline on repeat dial at the same time and it took 100 redials on each before he got through.

We can ring up on the day for an emergency slot, there are a few each day. You have to start dialling at 8am when the phone lines open. Forward appointments can only be booked two weeks in advance and you can only book for two weeks to the day. If you want two weeks tomorrow, hard luck, ring back tomorrow!

If you see a doctor and they want to see you again you are allowed to book that follow up appointment.

When you do get an appointment you can only talk about one thing, whether you think multiple symptoms are connected doesn't matter, then you are ushered out as quickly as possible, heaven forbid if you might get a few seconds more than your 10 minute slot!

I'm old enough to remember good, caring, family doctors who knew you, and this almost anonymous, seemingly uncaring and dismissive attitude is alien to me.

Unfortunately the NHS is broken and it's doubtful it will get fixed

[bantam12]

The wait at my surgery is 3 weeks for a doctor and 1 week for a nurse practitioner who are in many cases better than the doctors ! Emergency appts on the day are available after a phone call to assess if it's needed. We live in a rural area and there is a huge shortage of GPs so the ones we have are under massive pressure.

[AngieAsh]

Hi. I'm in North Lincolnshire, it's semi rural but not too far off the main town. Our village uses the surgery in the slightly bigger nearby village as ours doesn't have one. For a same day appointment we have to ring at 8.30 when they open, when I try this at 8.30 dead on I go into a queue, wait about 10 minutes and get told it's full already. I don't drive in because it's petrol costs and fuel wastage just to be told they have no places. Booking ahead can be as short as 5 days if they ask you in such as a letter following an abnormal blood test or GP saying they need you back next week but for my next one I could only get in with a 3 week wait. So yes it's like that here too.

[Treepie]

There is a shortage of GPs despite the pay. The shortage is made worse by the many women GPs and some men who work part time.

[Singoutloud]

Are you able to sign up online with your surgery. I use emis patient access but yours may use a different system. With mine I can make appointments, order prescriptions and view my medical records and test results. It may be worth asking the question when you're next at the surgery.

[Emyloulou]

I am really lucky with my surgery to be honest. I can usually get a same day appointment with the gp I prefer if I need an emergency appointment. We can book up to 12 weeks in advance for follow up appointments and If it's routine there is a 2-3 week wait if I want my gp but it's usually just a few days if I'm not fussed who I see.

I am a creature of habit though and I would rather see my own gp. A, because he's the best one in the practice and B, so I don't have to spend 10 minutes going through everything again!

I was lucky enough to deal with all the surgeries in my area through work so when it came to choosing a new one I made sure I went with the one that you don't have to give your life story to the receptionists before you even get a sniff of an appointment 🤔 x

[Pmb57]

It would appear I'm quite well off! I live in a large village in the SE.

We can book appointments in advance but it is usually a 3 week plus wait for my own GP ( who is lovely).

For Emergency on the day appointments you have to call/visit the surgery at 8am for morning appointments & 1.30pm for afternoon ones. Appointments are also available to book online, which are a harder to get now! The appointments are 10 minutes slots for 1 condition.

We can also do an online consult & you receive a response by telephone with an appointment, prescription etc. Telephone consults are also available Personally I've always been lucky with my visits but the surgery does get very mixed reactions from locals.

[Shelley1954]

Gloucestershire - 6-8 weeks for an appointment to see my GP and 4/5 weeks for telephone consultation!

Couple of hours, tops, on Thyroid UK.

[suebob59]

Hertfordshire. Up to 6 weeks for appt to see a Dr of your choice. Or queue outside surgery at 7.30am to get emergency same day appt, then you wait around for slot you are given or go home and return later. Wonderful if you are in pain or elderly or if it's in the winter!!

I've even tried booking using online system, but aways fully booked.