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AIBU?

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Original poster

I can't see a GP is anyone elses like this?

114 replies

Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 17:47

And it's really frustrating, I've had a chesty cough (green gunk...sorry) for 4 weeks now (i've now developed a high temp in the last day) with no sign of it going away, I filled in the online form to get triaged, you can't speak to anyone at my Drs, the message on the phone just tells me fill in the form and we'll get back to you within 2 days, call cuts dead

So I filled in the form, they got back to me a day later saying phone 111 which I did who promptly told me I need to see a Dr, ok fine so I filled in the form again, the GPs come back and say see a pharmacist because they can give out antibiotics if needed, not true at all the I phoned our local chemist and the Pharmacist say we can't do chests , you need to see a Dr....argh! So I fill in another form online saying what they said isn't true, waited a while longer and they come back and tell me go to A&E if things get worse, I don't need A&E i just want someone to listen to my chest! I feel like death but it really doesn't warrant a trip to hospital, does anyone else have this rigmarole or is it just mine? Thanks in advance

OP posts:
HolySchmokes · 03/03/2025 18:53

They’re excellent. E consult works well too for non urgent items. Usually back to me within a few hours.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:52

HolySchmokes · 03/03/2025 18:51

I go to my surgery at 7am when they open and queue to see a receptionist and book an appointment there and then, usually for an hour or two later.

Gosh, lucky you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:51

fetchacloth · 03/03/2025 18:49

My GP surgery has become like this during the last few months OP.The only chance of getting a GP appointment is via econsult and I don't always receive a response to those.I'm not sure how or why this situation has got so bad, but it's not fair on the patients and only a matter of time before some people die as a result of this.
I know the government has a massive task on its hands to sort out the NHS but the GP service really needs fixing fast.

Yes, I think this system will be rolled out everywhere eventually

OP posts:
HolySchmokes · 03/03/2025 18:51

I go to my surgery at 7am when they open and queue to see a receptionist and book an appointment there and then, usually for an hour or two later.

itsgettingweird · 03/03/2025 18:51

ThePussy · 03/03/2025 18:30

My DM died last year because her GP refused to see her. She had a persistent pain in her chest and breathlessness. The doctor repeatedly told her she had pulled a muscle, wouldn’t see her, didn’t want to listen to her chest. She had a fall, got taken into hospital, put her on oxygen, took chest x ray and diagnosed her with terminal lung cancer. She died three weeks later.

My DF died a few years earlier because the same doctor told him his chest pains were all in the mind. My DM finally drove him to A & E in desperation. He had terminal lung cancer and died six weeks later.

The doctor is known locally as Dr Death.

Im so sorry.

How horrible to have both parents so badly let down.

fetchacloth · 03/03/2025 18:49

My GP surgery has become like this during the last few months OP.The only chance of getting a GP appointment is via econsult and I don't always receive a response to those.I'm not sure how or why this situation has got so bad, but it's not fair on the patients and only a matter of time before some people die as a result of this.
I know the government has a massive task on its hands to sort out the NHS but the GP service really needs fixing fast.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:47

Janeaustenrocks · 03/03/2025 18:45

I was falling over with vertigo told no appts for a week and 2 days and I had to go to another surgery for that appt as well because they had no appts at all (quite a distance away as I don't drive)
After a week I couldn't stand it anymore and phoned them back saying I couldn't last the two days. They finally gave me an appt and I ended up with a paramedic appt not doctor as no Dr's appts were available. The paramedic then had to go and ask doctor in the next room for advice.
The surgery was completely empty and I was the only one in there.

That's dreadful, I hope you're feeling a bit better now? That's what I don't get, I had to quickly nip in to my Drs the other day to pick up a form for DH, and it was like a ghost town, I'm not saying they're not working but where is everyone if they're booked to the rafters?

OP posts:
Janeaustenrocks · 03/03/2025 18:45

I was falling over with vertigo told no appts for a week and 2 days and I had to go to another surgery for that appt as well because they had no appts at all (quite a distance away as I don't drive)
After a week I couldn't stand it anymore and phoned them back saying I couldn't last the two days. They finally gave me an appt and I ended up with a paramedic appt not doctor as no Dr's appts were available. The paramedic then had to go and ask doctor in the next room for advice.
The surgery was completely empty and I was the only one in there.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:40

autisticbookworm · 03/03/2025 18:36

Good I'm grateful for our. Ring first thing and either get an appointment that day or worst case scenario go on the triage list and be seen if the nurse deems it appropriate. Or book a routine appointment for two weeks today.

That's good and long may it continue

OP posts:
Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:37

VioletVX · 03/03/2025 18:28

Not for right now, but once you’ve got over this current issue, it might be worth asking around your friends/neighbours to see if anyone can recommend a different local GP surgery that’s providing a better service. You have a right to switch.

Not all GP surgeries are this bad - I’ve called up three times in the past six months, twice for me, once for elderly mum, all for important but non-urgent issues. I’ve got through to the receptionist within 30 minutes and been offered either a same day appointment or call with a GP every time.

This postcode lottery is utterly crap.

Edited

It seems to be getting worse too

OP posts:
Oblomov25 · 03/03/2025 18:36

This is poor. I got a text back and told to take ds2 to acute illness unit at hospital, they issued antibiotics for chest infection.

autisticbookworm · 03/03/2025 18:36

Good I'm grateful for our. Ring first thing and either get an appointment that day or worst case scenario go on the triage list and be seen if the nurse deems it appropriate. Or book a routine appointment for two weeks today.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:34

ThePussy · 03/03/2025 18:30

My DM died last year because her GP refused to see her. She had a persistent pain in her chest and breathlessness. The doctor repeatedly told her she had pulled a muscle, wouldn’t see her, didn’t want to listen to her chest. She had a fall, got taken into hospital, put her on oxygen, took chest x ray and diagnosed her with terminal lung cancer. She died three weeks later.

My DF died a few years earlier because the same doctor told him his chest pains were all in the mind. My DM finally drove him to A & E in desperation. He had terminal lung cancer and died six weeks later.

The doctor is known locally as Dr Death.

I'm so sorry, that's disgusting, did you complain?

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 03/03/2025 18:34

If GP won't see you, phone 111 back and tell them that. GP surgery will be told to see you.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:32

VioletVX · 03/03/2025 18:28

Not for right now, but once you’ve got over this current issue, it might be worth asking around your friends/neighbours to see if anyone can recommend a different local GP surgery that’s providing a better service. You have a right to switch.

Not all GP surgeries are this bad - I’ve called up three times in the past six months, twice for me, once for elderly mum, all for important but non-urgent issues. I’ve got through to the receptionist within 30 minutes and been offered either a same day appointment or call with a GP every time.

This postcode lottery is utterly crap.

Edited

Thank you I will change Drs when this is over

OP posts:
CleverMintHedgehog · 03/03/2025 18:30

We’re fairly lucky for urgent issues. You can call in any time of the day and there’s a triage GP who gets all the messages and who will either arrange a call, f2f appointment (if really needed) or might order blood tests etc as first step. So for urgent things it’s fine. For less urgent it’s e-consult online, which tends to reach capacity at 7.15am (opening at 7am) so can be a bit of a bummer.

I would definitely complain to the practice manager so they know what’s going on. Don’t worry about being struck off!

skintbuthappyish · 03/03/2025 18:30

Yes, it's a nightmare.
I have to book online, then wait for a nurse to call me, then she decides if I need a doctor or not.

They've now started closing at 12pm too. Grim.

ThePussy · 03/03/2025 18:30

My DM died last year because her GP refused to see her. She had a persistent pain in her chest and breathlessness. The doctor repeatedly told her she had pulled a muscle, wouldn’t see her, didn’t want to listen to her chest. She had a fall, got taken into hospital, put her on oxygen, took chest x ray and diagnosed her with terminal lung cancer. She died three weeks later.

My DF died a few years earlier because the same doctor told him his chest pains were all in the mind. My DM finally drove him to A & E in desperation. He had terminal lung cancer and died six weeks later.

The doctor is known locally as Dr Death.

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 03/03/2025 18:28

Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:27

I'm going to go tomororw as they're closed now

Edited
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@Wintersgirl , good idea.

VioletVX · 03/03/2025 18:28

Not for right now, but once you’ve got over this current issue, it might be worth asking around your friends/neighbours to see if anyone can recommend a different local GP surgery that’s providing a better service. You have a right to switch.

Not all GP surgeries are this bad - I’ve called up three times in the past six months, twice for me, once for elderly mum, all for important but non-urgent issues. I’ve got through to the receptionist within 30 minutes and been offered either a same day appointment or call with a GP every time.

This postcode lottery is utterly crap.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:27

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 03/03/2025 18:12

@Wintersgirl , have you been to your local walk in centre?

I'm going to go tomororw as they're closed now

OP posts:
Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:24

Cloudyvibes · 03/03/2025 18:23

Our doctors is the same literally can not get an appointment and if you very lucky it’s a phone call which will end up with you needing to be seen so needing another appointment.

Twice in the last year I have needed to see a doctor but told to visit the pharmacy who can now issue antibiotics both times told they can’t issue for that reason and need to see a doctor. Both times I have ended up in a&e as no local walk in clinic and they have issued antibiotics straight away as they could see how poorly I was before I even sat down.

From now on when I know I need antibiotics I will try the doctors once if I can’t get an appointment I will be heading straight to a&e.

Local Facebook page is always on about how busy the local a&e department is with people just needing antibiotics that cant get to see a doctor.

It's shit isn't it? A&E is swamped

OP posts:
Cloudyvibes · 03/03/2025 18:23

Our doctors is the same literally can not get an appointment and if you very lucky it’s a phone call which will end up with you needing to be seen so needing another appointment.

Twice in the last year I have needed to see a doctor but told to visit the pharmacy who can now issue antibiotics both times told they can’t issue for that reason and need to see a doctor. Both times I have ended up in a&e as no local walk in clinic and they have issued antibiotics straight away as they could see how poorly I was before I even sat down.

From now on when I know I need antibiotics I will try the doctors once if I can’t get an appointment I will be heading straight to a&e.

Local Facebook page is always on about how busy the local a&e department is with people just needing antibiotics that cant get to see a doctor.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:22

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 03/03/2025 18:21

Ours are much better than this, thankfully. Phoned at 8.20 today and managed to get a phonecall appointment. Usually if they need to see you they'll get you in that day.

I would suggest turning up and insisting on seeing someone. We did that once with my DD when needed - she was seen before the clinics had opened.

Oh that's good, I wish mine had that system still

OP posts:
Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 18:22

ZookeeperSE · 03/03/2025 18:20

Not great is it? I’ve just got antibiotics today for similar, in to week six. I have asthma too and it’s really exacerbating it. At least you have Drs though, even if they’re not available. I called ours a couple of months back as DH was very ill (it turned out he had pneumonia, got seen in local hospital walk in, can’t believe I managed to get him there he could barely walk and he’s a unit compared to me) only to be told no Drs available. I said oh ok so do you know when there will be Dr appointments, only to be told no, you misunderstand, it’s not appointments we don’t have, it’s Drs 😮.

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Bloody hell, I hope he's ok now

OP posts: