doctors making it as awkward as possible to be seen

[Deleted User]

I can book appointments online as well (up to about 6 weeks in advance, usually with about a week's wait), which is fine if it's a routine visit.

If you need to be seen the same day then our surgery also asks you to telephone at 8am for a morning appointment or 1pm for an afternoon appointment, which is a pain sometimes, as I am usually at work at these times and not around the corner from my GP - and their response is "well if it's an emergency you will take what's offered" (not very helpful if the appointment is in 10 mins time which has happened).

On the whole I can pretty much get an appointment when needed (same day, same week, weeks in advance) with my GP.

I find being polite to the receptionists helps too, as I am sure the receptionists get an ear-full from lots of people every day.

As for wanting to see "your" GP, I sympathise with the receptionists here - if you need an emergency appointment then you see whatever doctor is available. I don't think I've seen the same doctor more than once ever.

I do also have a private GP, so if I really need to see someone urgently I can always get in to see him - he even gives you his home phone number in case of emergencies - now that's what I call service - at a price!

Annabee

Silverbird wrote: »

Having worked previously for many years as a Receptionist and later a Secretary at a busy GP Practice, I can offer another view on things ....

To the OP - are you absolutely positive that you have to turn up on the doorstep to get an appointment? This does seem extremely bizarre to me and if it's true then it certainly won't last long. Surely this will lead to a neglect in the health of elderly patients and those that work and those with small children? I would definitely write a letter to the Practice Manager to complain and possibly to your local PCT too.

Yes it is quite true the receptionist confirmed it. For morning apts only, for afternoon ones you can book 'up to 2 weeks in advance' but I tried this Monday and was told nothing until next week. Not much good for anything urgent!

Your point about neglecting health needs of ptients is exactly what I said to the receptionist and she agreed! She also said as far as she knows its a permanent thing. I think the doctors are being very selfish and unprofessional here.

Everything was working fine a year ago when I last went, so what is going on? I don't THNK hundreds of new people have moved into the area, and if they had, the surgery should have received funding for them?

I was thinking of writing to complain, but do you still think its worth it if I'm moving to a different practice?

TERIERI

squirrelchops wrote: »

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.

Exactly the same as mine! Its not Burnbrae is it?

Silverbird

Annabee wrote: »

Yes it is quite true the receptionist confirmed it. For morning apts only, for afternoon ones you can book 'up to 2 weeks in advance' but I tried this Monday and was told nothing until next week. Not much good for anything urgent!

Your point about neglecting health needs of ptients is exactly what I said to the receptionist and she agreed! She also said as far as she knows its a permanent thing. I think the doctors are being very selfish and unprofessional here.

Everything was working fine a year ago when I last went, so what is going on? I don't THNK hundreds of new people have moved into the area, and if they had, the surgery should have received funding for them?

I was thinking of writing to complain, but do you still think its worth it if I'm moving to a different practice?

I would still complain, if only to draw this to their attention. If nobody complains then nothing gets done and they'll think it's all hunky dory.

Also, it's government ruling that a GP surgery has to offer you an appointment within 2 days (but this can be with ANY doctor at ANY time - you cannot specify either). If your surgery is stating that they don't have an appointment within 2 days for you to see any doctor at any time then they are breaking a law and should be reported to your local PCT as soon as possible.

KRatt71

Annabee wrote: »

What really bugs me is that I have hardly bothered them the nine years I have been registered there but now ( I hope I'm wrong) I may have something that will require a lot of attention and can't face the thought of possiblly trailing down there twice in a day, maybe one day a week/fortnight until sorted. Thats one reason I need a new GPs now!

Why are doctors allowed to get away with this stuff? God knows they are paid enough.

Apparently local councillors are getting involved but why don't the health authority just tell them they can't do it!

My wife is a GP, and they're not paid anywhere near as much money as you read in the press. Non-attendance rates for appointments run at 15%, she's even had people ring up for an urgent appointment, beeen given a time in the next hour and not shown up.

Silverbird

KRatt71 wrote: »

My wife is a GP, and they're not paid anywhere near as much money as you read in the press. Non-attendance rates for appointments run at 15%, she's even had people ring up for an urgent appointment, beeen given a time in the next hour and not shown up.

Yes, this happened at the surgery where I used to work as well. It's so disgusting. I don't know how people can do it. They're nearly always repeat offenders as well. Our doctors actually chose to strike 2 patients off our list who were repeat non-attenders and they had the nerve to feel offended.

It's so unfair to everybody, but mostly it's unfair to the other patients who haven't been able to get in to see the doctor because a timewaster took an appointment when it could have been used if they'd bothered to cancel.

sooz

Wow -after reading this I'm starting to think that my GP's practice aren't nearly as bad as I thought they were We can book all adult appointments online (although great for routine appointments & follow ups, this is not much use when you are suddenly taken ill, when you have to start redialling from 8.30am), and childrens are always found an appointment on the same day if they are ill.

The only thing that really annoys me is that buggies must be left outside in the rain, & do get stolen quite often :mad: . So I never walk there, I have to drive.

Loz01

Our Docs is quite good! Similar to others, ring up on the morning and you get an appointment for that same day,or you can book for a few days in advance if you need a procedure or something doing. They are good in emergencies tho, a few months ago my nephew suddenly developed a nasty ear infection and my SIL phoned the Docs at practically closing time, and they squeezed in an emergency appointment for my nephew, and the chemist man stayed open 5 mins extra so she could collect his ear medicine! I spose thats the upside of living in a smaller community.

Glamazon

Government states the following

Patients should be offered an appointment with an 'appropriate' health care professional within 24 hours.

Patients should be able to book up to 2 weeks in advance

If you want to see a particular GP you could wait up to 4 weeks (as some are more popular than others)

If anyone can't get an appointment that fits into the above, write to the Practice Manager or PCT and tell them you are not happy as you have been unable to get an appointment under the rules of the Access DES.

If you get a questionniare in the post - RETURN IT!!! Your GP's payment for Access is based on these questionnaires, if you don't return it please don't complain about GP wages! (not being harsh)

We had over 200 patients DNA last month - which is disgusting and includes people who have phoned on the day! We offer appointments you can book up to 4 weeks ahead, appointments you can book on the day and have an emergency clinic every lunchtime for 2 hours. We are open late until 8pm some nights and run a Saturday morning clinic - hoepfully we cater for most of our patients.

Our list size is growing even though we have one of these super surgeries close by that's open 8pm - 8pm Monday - Friday and Saturday AM so we must be doing something right!

frivolous_fay

Silverbird wrote: »

Yes, this happened at the surgery where I used to work as well. It's so disgusting. I don't know how people can do it. They're nearly always repeat offenders as well. Our doctors actually chose to strike 2 patients off our list who were repeat non-attenders and they had the nerve to feel offended.

I'm delighted to hear that surgeries do keep records of non attendance, and long may this continue. Tired of idiots spoiling things for everyone.