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Original poster

GP Appointments

33 replies

ellie09 · 27/10/2023 09:50

Why are they so difficult to get one?

I've had trouble with my sinuses since beginning of September which has significantly worsened this week to the point I have blurry vision, swollen forehead, sore eyes, sore ears and a horrible headache.

My GP surgery, you have to call at 8:45 and its first come, first serve for that day, you can't make advance appointments.

I call to the very second at 8:45 every morning and receive a "full capacity" message and the call drops. Redial in total 85 times in 30 minutes and get a message at 9:15 telling me all the appointments are now gone.

How on earth does one get to see their GP?

I am going away in a few weeks and the last time I went abroad like this, the air pressure in the plane made my entire face swollen and my eyes close up and had to go straight to A&E when I landed home.

Sorry, this is just a rant.

I feel sorry for the old and vulnerable who are getting more sick and can't see a doctor.

OP posts:
Katherineryan · 27/10/2023 10:24

I’m sorry you are having this problem.
I am very lucky that this never seems to happen at my surgery (not to me anyway). They have an online service where you fill in the details and then if you mark it ‘same day’ I have had call backs within 2-3 hours and had a telephone appointment with the GP. If you mark it ‘non urgent’ then I have had a call back within 2-3 days and again a telephone appointment.

I suggest you try 111 .

Planesplanesplanes · 27/10/2023 10:24

Fewer GPs and the government has been reducing the numbers they’ve been training. Sicker population, in part due to covid delays as well as as increasing older population in complex issues. And larger population.

It’s a shit situation.

Some surgery have online service where you see an completely random GP online.

ActDottie · 27/10/2023 10:23

Only way I’ve got one fast and same day is when I’ve been pregnant. It’s madness. Prior to that I waited 3 weeks for an appointment only for the doctor to ring and I apparently “missed his call” even though I had my phone on loud attached to me all morning!

WooYa · 27/10/2023 10:21

I'd also call 111 and tell them that you can't get a GP appointment but you need one. I've done it before and they've given me an OOH appointment

Fieldofbrokenpromises · 27/10/2023 10:20

Tory government.

PerspiringElizabeth · 27/10/2023 10:10

That’s really poor. Many many surgeries now have online forms where you can request stuff (eg I got antibiotics last week without seeing anyone - sent a photo of infected finger and voila, prescription sent to pharmacy) and one doctor goes through all the forms that come in overnight the next morning, giving people phone/in person appointments or sorting things like my antibiotics as necessary. They always always see kids. I don’t bother ringing anymore, just do the form and they can decide if I need an actual appt or not. Wish all surgeries did this system!

TokyoSushi · 27/10/2023 10:08

Absolute same at ours, so we basically don't have a GP. 111 have been fairly helpful when we've been desperate!

DRS1970 · 27/10/2023 10:07

Just go via the NHS 111 service. If they assess you need a doctor's appointment they will either give you a code to give your surgery which will mean they have to give you an appointment, or they will have an on call clinician call you back. GL