Coronavirus vaccination website booking system

badger09

mac.d said:

If you are still registered with the same GP I think the letter being redirected (or not) is immaterial*. The only issue is the availability of appointments. So if you don't get a letter with an actual appointment and have to book it online or via telephone, you just have to accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment, so its just a matter of persevering and trying to get a slot.

*But in saying that, the letter probably shouldn't have been redirected. Royal Mail terms state: "There are laws that prevent us from redirecting certain items. There are also laws that require us to return certain items to the sender and we may need to inform the authorities of this (for example, mail from government departments related to benefits). Even if we accept an application, any such items will not be redirected to the new address."

I do of course accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment.
My 'gripe' was that although the system tells me one of the appointments is no longer available, it doesn't say which, so it is a matter of trial and error, many many times, to find a combination which is available and by the time you have gone back to choose a different option, one of the others is no longer available.
At one point I did manage to select both appointments, but by the time I had entered my mobile number for confirmation to be sent, one had become unavailable, and the whole process has to be started again.

General_Grant

badger09 said:

mac.d said:

If you are still registered with the same GP I think the letter being redirected (or not) is immaterial*. The only issue is the availability of appointments. So if you don't get a letter with an actual appointment and have to book it online or via telephone, you just have to accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment, so its just a matter of persevering and trying to get a slot.

*But in saying that, the letter probably shouldn't have been redirected. Royal Mail terms state: "There are laws that prevent us from redirecting certain items. There are also laws that require us to return certain items to the sender and we may need to inform the authorities of this (for example, mail from government departments related to benefits). Even if we accept an application, any such items will not be redirected to the new address."

I do of course accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment.
My 'gripe' was that although the system tells me one of the appointments is no longer available, it doesn't say which, so it is a matter of trial and error, many many times, to find a combination which is available and by the time you have gone back to choose a different option, one of the others is no longer available.
At one point I did manage to select both appointments, but by the time I had entered my mobile number for confirmation to be sent, one had become unavailable, and the whole process has to be started again.

And you might have been saved such frustration if you had registered with a local GP practice.  Unfortunately your current GP may have given up trying to call you on your landline.  (Mine calls on the landline to make appointments but sends texts to my mobile about not visiting them.)

Ganga

I received a text today ( no letter ) to book my appointment for my first jab ,took 2 minutes and go this Friday at 19.40 pm at our local walk in centre ,now called the primary care centre

JGB1955

I can only expect to be contacted by mail.  My GP surgery definitely don't have my mobile phone number, nor email.  I haven't been near the surgery in the past 5 years. Time will tell!

Lorian

my experience was text turned up and was able to book a slot for a few days later at local Drs Surgery.  This was sent by local primary care people. Link sent was unique to recepient so no need to put in any details. Confirmed by text.
Letter from wide NHS turned up saying to book a few days later - looked like it linked to different booking system

badger09

General_Grant said:

badger09 said:

mac.d said:

If you are still registered with the same GP I think the letter being redirected (or not) is immaterial*. The only issue is the availability of appointments. So if you don't get a letter with an actual appointment and have to book it online or via telephone, you just have to accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment, so its just a matter of persevering and trying to get a slot.

*But in saying that, the letter probably shouldn't have been redirected. Royal Mail terms state: "There are laws that prevent us from redirecting certain items. There are also laws that require us to return certain items to the sender and we may need to inform the authorities of this (for example, mail from government departments related to benefits). Even if we accept an application, any such items will not be redirected to the new address."

I do of course accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment.
My 'gripe' was that although the system tells me one of the appointments is no longer available, it doesn't say which, so it is a matter of trial and error, many many times, to find a combination which is available and by the time you have gone back to choose a different option, one of the others is no longer available.
At one point I did manage to select both appointments, but by the time I had entered my mobile number for confirmation to be sent, one had become unavailable, and the whole process has to be started again.

And you might have been saved such frustration if you had registered with a local GP practice.  Unfortunately your current GP may have given up trying to call you on your landline.  (Mine calls on the landline to make appointments but sends texts to my mobile about not visiting them.)

Really? How long do you think it would take for records to be transferred etc, assuming local GP practice has staff available to process new registrations quickly? Genuine question & I’m not trying to be provocative. 

When our house sold, I had no idea how long we might be In temp accommodation. It might have been as short as 4 days, in which case it would have been impossible to register with new GP.  Soon became clear it would be 3 - 4 weeks (actually will be 4).

‘Old’ GP will not have given up trying to phone my old landline, because it wasn’t registered. 

Thanks to those who have posted about their experience of the local processes. 

Eventually, I have managed to book appointments for both husband and myself at different centres on different dates. I am grateful there is a vaccination available and that we will get it in soon. 

JJ_Egan

No problem booking system gave me multiple choices and multiple time slots .Local no about 4 miles nearest .

TadleyBaggie

Same here, no problem. Got text from local GP practice Tuesday, logged on and was offered slots from Sunday onwards at the closest centre.

luvchocolate

Some friends late 60s have been given appointments. Brilliant progress 

elsien

General_Grant said:

badger09 said:

mac.d said:

If you are still registered with the same GP I think the letter being redirected (or not) is immaterial*. The only issue is the availability of appointments. So if you don't get a letter with an actual appointment and have to book it online or via telephone, you just have to accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment, so its just a matter of persevering and trying to get a slot.

*But in saying that, the letter probably shouldn't have been redirected. Royal Mail terms state: "There are laws that prevent us from redirecting certain items. There are also laws that require us to return certain items to the sender and we may need to inform the authorities of this (for example, mail from government departments related to benefits). Even if we accept an application, any such items will not be redirected to the new address."

I do of course accept that everyone who is eligible is trying to get an appointment.
My 'gripe' was that although the system tells me one of the appointments is no longer available, it doesn't say which, so it is a matter of trial and error, many many times, to find a combination which is available and by the time you have gone back to choose a different option, one of the others is no longer available.
At one point I did manage to select both appointments, but by the time I had entered my mobile number for confirmation to be sent, one had become unavailable, and the whole process has to be started again.

And you might have been saved such frustration if you had registered with a local GP practice.  Unfortunately your current GP may have given up trying to call you on your landline.  (Mine calls on the landline to make appointments but sends texts to my mobile about not visiting them.)

Probably wouldn’t have made any difference. 82 year old parent had to wait for the letter then try to book on the website despite the GP having full contact information. Her issue was being offered slots nearly 200 miles away.
The person in the phone line was very nice but said that they can only make appts on the website in the same way as the person themselves; they are there for people who can’t go online but have to book for them in the same way.