Urgh. GP surgery having a laugh!

MamaMoo_2

I live less than 20m from my GP surgery. I need to speak to my midwife (whom I've never met in the 37 weeks I've been pregnant, way to go NHS) but I need a sweep, so I had to phone the surgery. I called at 12:05.
The phoneline kept me on for 30 seconds before telling me the surgery closed between 12 & 3:30.
Firstly, I can see from my window that even now they are open, and my appointments are regularly at 2/3pm so they're obviously open.
Their phone number is also an 0844 number with no alternative, so it really eats up my credit.
A few weeks ago I went down to the surgery to make an appointment as I didn't have any credit left, and was told I have to call for an appointment. I pointed out how stupid this was, and explained about my lack of credit. The outcome? No appointment unless I spent 30p a minute to call them.
It really peed me off. If they had a standard 01 number, it would be free with my inclusive minutes, but no.
Grr. I'd move doctors, but all of the surgeries around here have the same 0844 numbers and 'telephone appt only' policies! Grr

NCISROCKS

Take the 20m wander/waddle and talk to the receptionist?

Abbafan1972

NCISROCKS wrote: »

Take the 20m wander/waddle and talk to the receptionist?

As above. If I lived that close to the surgery (can see from my window as you state), then I would go in person and not waste my time trying to phone.

MamaMoo_2

NCISROCKS wrote: »

Take the 20m wander/waddle and talk to the receptionist?

See above.
They will not help unless you phone in. I have no intention of getting dressed (don't judge me, I'm having a PJ day until hubby gets home and I can shower :P) and carrying my fat bottom, plus my son's, down 3 flights of stairs just to be told to go away and call back during the appropriate times.
I popped into the surgery a week ago after the doctor wrote me a prescription for medication I didn't take etc. I was told to go away and phone up for an appointment. I stated I didn't want an appointment, just the correct prescription. Still had to phone up. :mad: It's such a poo policy!

vuvuzela

NCISROCKS wrote: »

Take the 20m wander/waddle and talk to the receptionist?

Re-read this part ?

"A few weeks ago I went down to the surgery to make an appointment as I didn't have any credit left, and was told I have to call for an appointment. I pointed out how stupid this was, and explained about my lack of credit. The outcome? No appointment unless I spent 30p a minute to call them. "

kazwookie

Can you book on line with them?

My local surgery is trying it out, well they have been for some time, but I have never got round to signing up.

Ask at the reception desk, for a 'normal' number!

whitewing

Our surgery has that system (not expensive phone no thou). I took my son up to make a same day appt and was told I would have to go home so the doctor could phone me and make an appt. I gave my mobile no and then sat us both in the waiting room. The doctor phoned my mobile and then saw us a few minutes later. It is annoying but I guess they have to try and make it fair so phones for all is probably the fairest.

NCISROCKS

Go to the surgery in your pj's, son in tow (what's to judge?) and explain your problem...to the practice Manager if need be! Or perhaps you could go 'Private'?

VfM4meplse

I can understand your irritation, but there are times that GP practices are closed to the public when other surgery business continues. Many practices are closed for around 90 mins in the middle of the day but 12pm is a bit early.

MamaMoo wrote: »

Their phone number is also an 0844 number with no alternative, so it really eats up my credit.

This is unacceptable and there was a direction to all practives to stop this sime time ago. Call your local PCT PALS dept (google "NHS" followed by the name of your county / borough if you live in London) which should be free of charge, and report your difficulty to them. Ask what hours they are supposed to be open (the practice should have a signed agreement to open during these times). The PALS teams should at least be able to give you a non-0844 number.

NCISROCKS

MamaMoo wrote: »

I live less than 20m from my GP surgery. I need to speak to my midwife (whom I've never met in the 37 weeks I've been pregnant, way to go NHS) but I need a sweep, so I had to phone the surgery. I called at 12:05.
The phoneline kept me on for 30 seconds before telling me the surgery closed between 12 & 3:30.
Firstly, I can see from my window that even now they are open, and my appointments are regularly at 2/3pm so they're obviously open.
Their phone number is also an 0844 number with no alternative, so it really eats up my credit.
A few weeks ago I went down to the surgery to make an appointment as I didn't have any credit left, and was told I have to call for an appointment. I pointed out how stupid this was, and explained about my lack of credit. The outcome? No appointment unless I spent 30p a minute to call them.
It really peed me off. If they had a standard 01 number, it would be free with my inclusive minutes, but no.

Grr. I'd move doctors, but all of the surgeries around here have the same 0844 numbers and 'telephone appt only' policies! Grr

Give us your GP/Surgery details....I'm sure MSE members will help?

fluffnutter

If my surgery only had an 0844 number I'd very politely insist that a free method was available. I'd go to the doctors' surgery and would simply not leave until the receptionist had agreed to book me an appt. I'd be very calm and polite about it but I simply wouldn't take no for an answer. I'd also show them the literature that decreed that surgeries should offer a non-0844 number.

I find all this a bit shocking (and depressing) actually. Not only is my GP's surgery a normal local number, the receptionists are more than happy to book appts for you if you come in too. I guess I'm lucky but I get a great service from my GP.

Complain to the NHS about them.