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AIBU?

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Original poster

First available GP appointment?

38 replies

mumda · 22/05/2023 23:53

29th June.
I suppose I should be grateful it's 2023 and not 2024.
Booked via the app thank goodness rather than three hours of phone misery.

OP posts:
blahblahblah1654 · 25/05/2023 15:23

Wow that's awful. I think it's a bit of a postcode lottery. I live in SW London and I called the doctors at midday yesterday. Had an in person appointment for 4:00 that day. I also called about my son on Monday and the doctor sent me a message within the hour.

Original poster
mumda · 25/05/2023 14:33

When we had to ring up for an appointment it made me rather down. I think it took me three days once to get an appointment. The 'please ring back after lunch', and then 'please ring back tomorrow' is really stressful when you're not well.
Thank goodness for the NHS app to be honest as I'd just not go if I had to ring up, @highlandspooce so I know what you mean.

OP posts:
highlandspooce · 25/05/2023 11:26

It's a sad state of affairs when I would be happy to be able to book an appointment for the end of June.

We have a batshit fight to get through at 8am daily system where you get a call back from a doctor who then decides if you are worthy of face to face.

For those of us who cannot communicate well a face to face is vital. Apparently it's not a reasonable adjustment and tough shit for anyone who needs it.

I just don't bother. (Before anyone says it must not be important if i don't bother I have had a problem escalating for over 3 years now because I can't get a face to face)

Our surgery is the pits.

Let's face it, the whole system is failing, just in different ways Sad

Original poster
mumda · 25/05/2023 11:21

It's non urgent medicine review.
I was told off on a phone appointment that I should have made a physical appointment. He did agree to putting my HRT on a repeat though - which perhaps the original doctor should have done - assuming no terrible problems, a 3 month repeat would have done the trick.

As long as my repeat works to fill in the gap it's non urgent anyway!

As of today (May 25th) the next available appointment is 11th July.

OP posts:
Powaqa · 23/05/2023 00:33

According to our online booker , there are none available at my GPs at all I can try the fastest finger on the trigger to get an emergency appt if I dial in at 0800 tomorrow but they insist they are for emergencies only and usually can't get through in time. Still waiting to see my diabetes and asthma nurse ... I've been waiting 12 months so far. I have asked several rimes and have just given up now. Mind you I have alsi been waiting 12 months for my urgent appt with my cardiologist

Travelfan2021 · 23/05/2023 00:28

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

SpaghettiSquash · 23/05/2023 00:26

Yep. I rang for an appoint,ent today and got the same date as you - 29th June.

pizzaHeart · 23/05/2023 00:26

I’m not surprised. We don’t have online app anymore, the new system is : you fill online form, then it’s triaged for urgent and non urgent. The wait for non urgent issue is 3-4 weeks and it could be just a phone call.
I also booked my dental check up today: the first available appointment was mid October.

Pixiedust1234 · 23/05/2023 00:22

I hear you. I rang up wanting to see a GP, or even an asthma nurse, as I was having trouble breathing and my inhaler wasn't really helping anymore. Six days wait and even then it was a phone appointment 😮

saraclara · 23/05/2023 00:18

Most surgeries have same day appointments OR looking in advance ones. Have you checked your practice's arrangements? We have to call or message after 8:00 and we're allocated phone or face to face appointments same day. But if you book an appointment in advance, it's weeks away.

If it's a while since you've seen your doctor, check. I'd say it's extremely likely that you can get a same day appointment. You just can't book it.

Confuzzlediddled · 23/05/2023 00:14

Wow that's crazy, I saw my GP twice last week as an emergency appointment, both within a few hours.

SgtBilko · 23/05/2023 00:13

That is shocking.

chessica · 23/05/2023 00:00

Wow that’s ridiculous

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