Getting a doctors appointment

alwaysskint96

My doctors like many others it seems have got this daft system of having to ring at 8am for an appointment. How do people manage this for non emergency cases ? And what about people who have difficulty using the phone?

I popped into the surgery today as need an appointment- quite happy to wait a week or so, to be told that 17th july at 9am was the ONLY prebookable one available. That seems ridiculous but took it. as no other choice but also asked the receptionist how it works. Apparently there is a limited ( obv very) amount of pre bookable appts the rest you have to phone at 8am for one that day.

I am partially deaf and find phone difficult. I used to call in surgery at 8am to make appt - this is no longer allowed, get told to go home and phone ( no good to me need to SEE peoples lips move when they talking to me

And I live in a commuter town- most people are on the train/tube into London at 8am, And even if they did get through its only same day appointments available, no good if you need to book time off work. Also majority of parents are doing school runs around that time- not easy to be ringing to be constantly getting engaged tone


The receptionist tells me the system works- yes for the elderly perhaps ( surgery was full of elderly people) but it seems very difficult for anyone else to see the doc

So how does everyone else get round this system- must be some way Ive not thought of

Mojisola

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

I am partially deaf and find phone difficult. I used to call in surgery at 8am to make appt - this is no longer allowed, get told to go home and phone ( no good to me need to SEE peoples lips move when they talking to me

Do you have a mobile phone? I would stand in front of her, phone the surgery and then have the conversation while I could see what she's saying! It might show them how ridiculous the system is.

Of all work places, a surgery should understand about making provisions for people with disabilities. Write to the practice manager and explain your difficulties and ask how they are going to help you.

j.e.j.

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

I am partially deaf and find phone difficult.

They need to be made aware of this (preferably in writing), as they're discriminating against you by insisting you use the phone.

My surgery now has this 'Call First' thing where you phone in, tell the receptionist what's wrong with you (:eek:) then the receptionist writes it down and hands it to the doctor, who calls you back, if they have time, and asks what you need to see the doctor for. You explain again in more detail and they will either book you in to see them that day or just tell you you don't need an appointment.

Talk about making life complicated!! What was wrong with phoning and booking a non-urgent appointment, FGS.

Pixiechic

The surgery should be making allowances and accommodating patients who have a disability.

I'm shocked at the response that you had, given the difficulties that you have and the efforts that you have made to try to get round it.

I agree with everything Mojisola has advised. Definitely write to the practise manager.

uk_american

Mine is the same, but a very busy practice next to a university. By the time I would get through at 9, the appointments for the day would all be gone. A little like trying to win the lottery, except I was never a winner.

One thing I did find--not sure if it helps, but if I had a specific purpose that the nurse practioner could address, it seemed that there were a variety of pre-bookable appointments available.

They would never offer these up front, but if I stated the specific purpose and asked if it was something the nurse practioner could do for me, then these previously secret appointments were suddenly available.

tattycath

j.e.j. wrote: »

They need to be made aware of this (preferably in writing), as they're discriminating against you by insisting you use the phone.

My surgery now has this 'Call First' thing where you phone in, tell the receptionist what's wrong with you (:eek:) then the receptionist writes it down and hands it to the doctor, who calls you back, if they have time, and asks what you need to see the doctor for. You explain again in more detail and they will either book you in to see them that day or just tell you you don't need an appointment.

Talk about making life complicated!! What was wrong with phoning and booking a non-urgent appointment, FGS.

Personally I think it is bang out of order that you have to tell the receptionist what is wrong-that's why you go see a doctor. Any patient illnesses should be private between them and the doctor. Nothing to do with receptionists or anyone else.
Rant over.

Pixiechic

You don't have to tell the receptionist anything about your medical situation.

The receptionist is not qualified to determine your medical needs. Outrageous!

lostinrates

There was a piece by dr mark porter in one of the papers recently. He said he couldn't recommend it but that people who went and sat in the surgery usually got seen......


In fact that's a gross simplification of a rather balanced piece hang on...

Googled it . Something in that might help


http://drmarkporter.co.uk/an-insiders-guide-to-getting-the-most-out-of-your-gp-surgery-2/

paulineb_2

My GP you can phone at any time during the day, apart from wednesdays when you have to phone by 10am, but its generally a 2 week waiting time.

However if its an emergency you can phone or go up but you need to be prepared to wait and they'll only give you a 5 minute appointment.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

I know it's really hard sometimes knowing what to do for the best.
My gran had weepy legs a few months back and whilst I knew it wasn't urgent she needed to be seen. I couldn't get an appointment until the next week over the phone. I then visited the surgery to get some advice because she most probably didn't need to see a doctor and I'm sure a nurse would suffice. Luckily for me her GP was in the reception and he saw her before afternoon surgery and prescribed antibiotics, so it was justified. I think sometimes it's knowing how the system works and receiving advice about urgency.
I've heard people who go to the nurse and then if /heshe thinks they need to see the doctor they will then. Worth a try.

fluffnutter

I feel so lucky with my GP surgery. Thankfully they've not introduced any wacky system. They have a walk-in clinic from 8.15 for about three hours. You're encouraged to attend this for emergency appointments and you get triaged too, so you should be seen in order of priority.

For routine appointments you can phone and speak to a receptionist (surgery hours), or book using the automated phone system or book online (any time). You can usually get an appointment within a week, although if you request a specific doctor you might not be so lucky.

In addition to this, if you turn up at any time and you're obviously in pain or distress, they'll try to squeeze you in at the end of the session. You might have to wait, but you'll always see a doctor.

Plus it's still a local dialling code, none of this 0845 nonsense. No idea why all surgeries can't be this accommodating - it seems to work fine for mine.