Doctor's appointments - what a farce.

PinkLipgloss

I totally sympathise - I think this is a problem with a lot of surgeries.

A few years back I was ice-skating and when I left the rink to get a drink at the cafe I slipped in a big pool of water (floor was uneven and I was wearing ice-skates) and badly twisted my knee - it was agony. The first aid person said, "There is nothing wrong with you - go home". When I woke up the next day my knee was over double its original size and I couldn't walk.

I called the doctors surgery, explained the situation and was rudely informed that I could get an appointment in one weeks time! After arguing with the receptionist she finally relented and gave me an appointment that day. Nightmare!

DCFC79

To get a same day appointment we have to call at 8 30 of the day we need the appointment, this is due to there being alot patients and not alot of doctors,

Minxy_Bella

I think it really does vary from practice to practice. I rang on Monday for a non-urgent reason and got an appointment for 40 minutes later! I really couldn't have got a better service.

milliemonster

Not to worry, don't call me cynical but within 5 years we will all be having to pay a minimum of £20 to see a GP, I guarantee you'll be able to get an appointment then

joolsybools

advent1122 wrote: »

Tried to book a doctors appointment for jnr.
Mrs Advent phoned up to be told all the appointments were gone. Phone at 8am and book one then.
Mrs Advent phoned back at 8am the next day - took 5 minutes to get through, only to be told all appointments are gone for the day.
Mrs Advent said, not to worry jolly reception person, can I book one for tomorrow please. Was told we have to book them at 8am the morning of surgery???????
Why? enquired Mrs Advent..What has happened to all the appointments?
Oh, They are taken up by people needing regular appointments was the reply and whatever scraps are left over, people can fight for them at 8am.
So it seems that the 90 year old with his gammy leg can book appointments in advance as he is being treated, but jnr, who has been scratching like a madman must take pot luck?.
What to do?
As it has been a few days without being able to get an appointment we had to take him to A&E just to be seen by a person wearing a white coat and able to prescribe some pills and cream.

Make a complaint and change your docs. Most have websites these days so do a search in your local area and you will be able to see their appointment system.

Halloway

milliemonster wrote: »

Not to worry, don't call me cynical but within 5 years we will all be having to pay a minimum of £20 to see a GP...

Why would anyone called you 'cynical' when they could call you 'wrong' and save a couple of letters?

tsimehC

Minxy_Bella wrote: »

I think it really does vary from practice to practice. I rang on Monday for a non-urgent reason and got an appointment for 40 minutes later! I really couldn't have got a better service.

They have a lot of cancellations so perhaps yours was one.

FIASCO_2

I attempted to make an appointment with my doc a few weeks back. I phoned seven times, each time spending around 10-15 minutes holding listening to music. Each time when reaching a human being told no appointments and new diary not yet available so couldnt make an appointment.
Eventually, exasperated, i wrote to the doctor and put the letter through the surgery letterbox. I told him how difficult it was getting through...explained exact details of timing of calls, receptionist response to me.
He phoned me himself. He made an appointment directly with me.
I was very impressed he did that, although I still think the problem will continue as the real problem has not been dealt with.

advent1122

I felt awful wasting A&E's time when it obviously wasn't an emergency, but what else could we do. Jnr had a rash, was scratching non-stop and couldn't sleep. We had no idea whether the rash was serious or not and the doctor was tied up treating repeat offenders.

It was not like this before. Granted it was difficult to get an appointment on the day but you could always get a non-urgent appointment a day or so later.
Now it is impossible and people like me clog up A&E unecessarily.

movingforward2010

advent1122 wrote: »

I felt awful wasting A&E's time when it obviously wasn't an emergency, but what else could we do. Jnr had a rash, was scratching non-stop and couldn't sleep. We had no idea whether the rash was serious or not and the doctor was tied up treating repeat offenders.

It was not like this before. Granted it was difficult to get an appointment on the day but you could always get a non-urgent appointment a day or so later.
Now it is impossible and people like me clog up A&E unecessarily.

hey you did the right thing , dont worry, better to be safe than sorry. The drunk idiots on the weekend are the real time wasters for A&E .

The doctors surgery is just full of OAPs, a few i think just make appointments so they can go in and socialise :rolleyes: