Doctors Appointments

lulu_92

My surgery is really weird. You can either get in right away or you can't. It's strange because it has a really small catchment area (I live three streets from it and am only just in it) and it caters to private patients as well as NHS. They have been excellent in the past for non-emergencies being seen right away (had a mole removed that doc said didn't even need to be removed - all for peace of mind)

I don't really appreciate all of these "you must not be that bad" posts. Once again, I'm here to vent about the lack of appointments. I'm just disappointed because I thought I could get a commuters appointment today and I haven't been able to. Had I known the dates for them (as the website wasn't clear) I would have made sure I got in this morning.

This is a board made for venting! *headdesk*

swingaloo

Im sorry but I dont understand your vent.

Considering that you have had this pain since May and have in your own words 'never been able to get a suitable appointment'.

So in 3 months there hasnt been one convenient time and now you are venting about your doctors beacuse you have to wait till Tuesday.

Horseunderwater

111 is the new non emm number - responder should triage you by phone then get somebody to ring you back within the hour. I have used them 4 times recently & each time they have been polite & helpful. Also the clue is in the name with emm walk in centres, you should not need an appointment, maybe a referral via 111 perhaps?

SuperHan

lulu_92 wrote: »

This is a board made for venting! *headdesk*

And we're just venting that some people have unreasonable expectations of the NHS.

Other people are always going to chip in, and are not always going to agree, when you vent on a public forum.

Also, you say you can't afford to go on SSP... You only need to take an hour out of work, at most half a day for a doctors appointment. You really can't afford to take a few hours of stat sick pay?!

missbiggles1

lulu_92 wrote: »

My surgery is really weird. You can either get in right away or you can't. It's strange because it has a really small catchment area (I live three streets from it and am only just in it) and it caters to private patients as well as NHS. They have been excellent in the past for non-emergencies being seen right away (had a mole removed that doc said didn't even need to be removed - all for peace of mind)

I don't really appreciate all of these "you must not be that bad" posts. Once again, I'm here to vent about the lack of appointments. I'm just disappointed because I thought I could get a commuters appointment today and I haven't been able to. Had I known the dates for them (as the website wasn't clear) I would have made sure I got in this morning.

This is a board made for venting! *headdesk*

Perhaps it would be worthwhile to cough up for a private appointment.

hollydays

Never had a problem. To me it's like this- if I need to see a doctor right now-I ask for an emergency appointment.its quite black and white.you ring up , you say " I'm in pain, I need to see a doctor this morning".

hollydays

rolymo wrote: »

so you are still able to go to work then ? - i would carry on with painkillers, hot water bottle etc -hopefully the pain will ease and become more bearable over the next few days again -but if it becomes really unbearable then call 111 again ?

We shouldn't be giving advice..

dotdash79

I've needed to use the doctors a lot over the last 2 months and I've been able to speak to a doctor the same day every time (they do phone triage then book you an appropriate appointment either same day, another day or deal with it over the phone).

Having very little dealing with the NHS for years to having them literally scraping me off the road to getting me back on my feet, I've been nothing but impressed and thankful for what I get as a tax payer.

Indie_Kid

swingaloo wrote: »

Im sorry but I dont understand your vent.

Considering that you have had this pain since May and have in your own words 'never been able to get a suitable appointment'.

So in 3 months there hasnt been one convenient time and now you are venting about your doctors beacuse you have to wait till Tuesday.

This is what I don't get either.

Are you phoning up as soon as they open?

We have no such issue here. I've needed doctors and nurses appointments far too frequently this year and have managed to get them pretty easily. Once had a GP appointment and was then told I need a blood test. Asked to make an appointment to see the nurse and was told "you can have it done now". If I'm not being fussy, I can normally see a doctor the next day or that afternoon if I'm lucky.

lulu_92

I ring as soon as the surgery is open and I am more often that not stuck with the busy tone. Once I get through all of the appointments are gone. It's only a small surgery with only 2 GPs. I'm frustrated because every time I manage to go I get met with "what do you want me to do about it?", which doesn't really help.

I have managed to see doctors in the past three months but have been told by one doctor that they couldn't give me an examination at that surgery and by another that they don't know what to do about my problem. After begging them they said they would be referring me for an ultrasound appointment, which never happened. When I got admitted to A&E with the pain a few weeks later I was given an ultrasound right away.

Am I not allowed to be frustrated at the whole situation? My pain was agonising on the way to work but what could be done on the middle of the a50 in rush hour. I had to deal with it until it subsided.