Doctors

[Jeanjt]

Well at walk in at doc been told there is 4 hour wait how rediculous 

[aberdeenman]

you had to sit for 4 hours, don't they have emergency appointments

[Nottobad]

I have only been once to a walkin clinic that was when I was on holiday and that was first come first served. 

[y_not]

I know it's not ideal but how are they (NHS) to allocate staff? Trying to work out how many staff to allocate on any particular day and any particular time must be nigh impossible!

I get your frustration but, a few weeks ago at the GP surgery, there suddenly became a 45 minute delay (for appointments) which initially resulted in lots of tutting ... until the medics carried a young child out to a waiting ambulance! Sometimes we just don't know what's happening behind the curtain.

I'm the first to complain about inefficiencies, delays, waste and bureaucracy but even I sometimes feel that I have to take a step back and reconsider.  

Hope you got sorted okay.

[knitter]

Our GP surgery had an extra problem recently when a local practice run by a group of doctors shut down unexpectedly and their patients had to be seen by our Health Centres staff ....I wondered why I couldn't get an appointment.

[Hidden]

A four hour delay at your doctors surgery.  Sounds worse than at two walk in clinics in my general area where you usually get seen much quicker than a visit to A&E. Seriously, the thing is you don't know what's happening behind the scenes - the staff must be as cheesed off as we are when this happens.  Not so bad if they keep you informed.  Don't agree with just leaving people waiting. That is very rude.

I hope you have been seen by now.

xx

[knitter]

I agree four hours is a long wait especially if it's on a first come first seen basis rather than triaged.

The Daily Mail on line has an article about GP appointments today and a photo of patients queuing outside.

My drop in clinic opens at 8.30, and if I have had a particularly bad night I have waited outside in a queue for the door to open rather than face a long wait later. on the last two occasions I have asked if there was an appointment available and was advised to go to the Urgent Care Clinic where you always have to wait.

I hope you were seen yesterday and are on the road to recovery. Best wishes 

[katieoxo60]

Guess four hours is ridiculous, but better than not being seen for days and as others say there may be more urgent cases behind the scenes. It is difficult now as the hospitals only deal with emergency and GPs have been given added work loads but to few staff to do it. In real emergency you can ring an ambulance. Long waits are difficult if you are working, or a carer or have another appointment elsewhere.