doctors making it as awkward as possible to be seen

the_rottweiler

My doctor seems to have a new system, you call in the morning and a doctor will call you back. Twice I called for an appointment I was told to collect a prescription (for pre existing condition) at reception.
When I needed to see a doctor for an injection, I was told by the recceptionist that it would be later in the week and I informed her that Dr X had said that I would be seen within 24 hours if I needed the injection, I was put on hold and given appointment for the following morning
I prefer this system because there is no waiting around, then seeing a doctor just to get drugs for a diagnosed problem

*Louise*

I hate going to the doctors! With ours you can see a doc, but if it's an emergency you get the rubbish one (like the one who told my mum she was an over anxious mother, turned out I had meningitis):rolleyes:

I have one doc that I like to see - but I have to make an appointment a month in advance. Therefore I just don't get ill. If I ever do, it will have to be bad enough to warrant a hospital visit.

I love the idea of booking online, I hope our surgery moves into the 21st century soon and gets a system like that

Kirri

the_rottweiler wrote: »

My doctor seems to have a new system, you call in the morning and a doctor will call you back. Twice I called for an appointment I was told to collect a prescription (for pre existing condition) at reception.
When I needed to see a doctor for an injection, I was told by the recceptionist that it would be later in the week and I informed her that Dr X had said that I would be seen within 24 hours if I needed the injection, I was put on hold and given appointment for the following morning
I prefer this system because there is no waiting around, then seeing a doctor just to get drugs for a diagnosed problem

It's not really convenient for some people to have the doctor call back though, if they are at work or something though.. - do they then try and work out if you really need an appointment (in their view)?

jackieb

the_rottweiler wrote: »

My doctor seems to have a new system, you call in the morning and a doctor will call you back. Twice I called for an appointment I was told to collect a prescription (for pre existing condition) at reception.
When I needed to see a doctor for an injection, I was told by the recceptionist that it would be later in the week and I informed her that Dr X had said that I would be seen within 24 hours if I needed the injection, I was put on hold and given appointment for the following morning
I prefer this system because there is no waiting around, then seeing a doctor just to get drugs for a diagnosed problem

It's quite easy to get a prescription at ours. You have to phone an automated service, but i've phoned and asked for prescriptions for my mum, and that it was an emergency (she's having chemo, and she's had a throat infection, thrush and dry eyes) and could the prescription be picked up that day. I've went to the surgery before 5pm and managed to pick up a prescription several times. Normally you have to wait 24 hours after you phone, but if you state it's an emergency they try and get it to you the same day.

I'm a carer and one time I went to see my own (and my mum's) doctor with a client. After the appointment I asked if I could ask him a question about my mum. I did and he said he'd give me a prescription, and he did, right there and then for her. He's really good. I guess they don't care so much about confidentiality if it's your mum. I've also been in with my daughter, and he's asked how my mum's getting on.

It's just the actual getting through to get an appointment that's difficult. We can request phone appointments with the doctor's too, where they phone you at home.

kr15snw

Ours is pretty good.

Advanced bookings for non emergencies can be done whenever really. But they always leave so many appointments open for day to day stuff.

If you need to be seen in the day to day slot (i.e. im ill help) then they reccomend you ring at 8am and you can book that day or the next day. You cannot book into these slots any further on than 48 hours, which if your ill doesnt matter!

surreysaver

And they wonder why people go and sit in A&E!

CelticStar

My doctors has online booking as well, it's fantastic. We're also able to order repeat prescriptions online - obviously you have to set up an account first.

ailuro2

Our Drs used to book in advance, but up to 60% of people wouldn't bother turning up. That figure totally shocked me!

But I suppose some folk would feel better or simply forget by the time their appointment came round. I know I never did.

So my Dr went to phoning in the morning, and I have to admit I've always been given an appointment when I needed one, sometimes with a locum rather than my 'own' doc, but that's OK, doesn't bother me at all.

I now understand why they went to this system, and have seen first hand it's more efficient in terms of Drs time, so I have to admit it works.

Moving to turning up on their doorstep sounds like a bad idea, I'd be asking what the reasons were behind the move, but maybe once they lose about half of their patients they will go back to the phone system.

I think here in Scotland the surgeries aren't quite as oversubscribed as down south.

squirrelchops

My Doctors surgery is pretty good too. I order prescriptions on line and that really saves time and hassle. They also do automatic repeat prescriptions with the local chemist who just goes and sorts it for you then on agreed date you go to chemist and the pills are all ready for you to collect!

At my surgery they seem to have a system of if you want an appointment for that day ie emergency you phone first thing but take pot luck with who you see (personally i think that is reasonable to not expect to see own doctor). Then you can make appointments as and when is convenient.

My surgery now opens late 2 nights per week up to 8pm as they sent out a questionnaire and have responded to what the patients want which whose who work reallly rallied for.

Natalie6999

At our Doctors half of the appointments are pre bookable & half can only be booked on the day, where you have to ring at 8.00am to get one.

If it is an emergency & all the appointments have gone you can wait at the end of surgery to see a Doctor & if you have something minor we have a Nurse who can prescribe.