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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bloody NHS e consult forms are shit!

67 replies

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:10

I’m trying to submit a consult to my doctor. The form is only open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Right in my commute and workday.

The form is repeatedly refreshing and quitting on mobile. The surgery will not take calls unless you’re elderly and have no access to a computer. If you’ve submitted a form before they will not speak to you over the phone. So I guess I just can’t talk to the doctors now? Is this how they hope to generate more appointments? Fucks sake 🤬

OP posts:
TangoWhiskeyAlphaTango123 · 12/12/2025 09:00

Not helpful at all but I find it a god send. My surgery are quick to respond to them. Most of the time I do not want or need an appointment. I have terrible eczema on the palm of my hands so I uploaded a photo and GP called to say script was done within a few hours.

I wonder if your surgery are having issues with their system or is it always like that from a mobile?

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:59

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:45

Well then keep trying or call 111 if it’s something that can’t wait. I’m sure the form will be up and running soon.

as ive said I finally got to submit one, which didn’t really apply to my symptoms anyway, but it should not be this hard.

OP posts:
Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:48

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:43

Some of us work away from where we live and have limited access to personal phones during th working day. Do we just not get GP care?

Apparently not

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:45

Well then keep trying or call 111 if it’s something that can’t wait. I’m sure the form will be up and running soon.

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:44

Peridot1 · 12/12/2025 08:42

I tried to fill one in a couple of weeks ago and also found the categories rubbish. Nothing for dizziness.

Ended up having a video consultation with a private GP. Who was concerned enough to refer me to a neurologist.

You must have the same system as us. It’s deeply concerning.

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:43

Some of us work away from where we live and have limited access to personal phones during th working day. Do we just not get GP care?

Peridot1 · 12/12/2025 08:42

I tried to fill one in a couple of weeks ago and also found the categories rubbish. Nothing for dizziness.

Ended up having a video consultation with a private GP. Who was concerned enough to refer me to a neurologist.

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:42

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:40

Well hopefully this one won’t as the system is down. All you can do is keep trying. If truly urgent i’d walk round and speak to receptionist. If not an emergency i’d just keep trying.

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I think you’ve missed that the issue is I’m at work. Ten miles from the surgery.

OP posts:
Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:41

finally got on, by downloading a new browser, resetting my NHS login and constantly flicking my phone to landscape mode.

only for none of the categories to really apply and to not be able to describe everything that’s going on. So I’ll probably get a text today saying I should sleep more. Good old NHS

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:40

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:38

Not in all surgeries. Many just close as soon as they’ve had too many forms submitted.

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Well hopefully this one won’t as the system is down. All you can do is keep trying. If truly urgent i’d walk round and speak to receptionist. If not an emergency i’d just keep trying.

EBearhug · 12/12/2025 08:39

I would phone and say I don't currently have access to a working computer or smartphone.

It works well with my surgery, IME. They will close the lists early on occasion, which is annoying if I want e.g. a nurse appointment for a smear test in a week's time, but that's a minor niggle really. When I have raised one, it's been reviewed the same day, and I've been offered a range of different appointments, so can usually find one which suits. I haven't needed something urgent that needs a same-day appointment, so I don't know how that side of it works. Our receptionists are fine, too.

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:38

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:35

there’s a tech issue. Try later. The form is open until late afternoon.

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Not in all surgeries. Many just close as soon as they’ve had too many forms submitted.

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:36

Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:35

The closest my 80s mum could get for concerning dizziness was the ear tick box when she didn’t have an ear condition.Consequently she was given an appointment weeks away.

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It’s awful isn’t it? Pretty sure this is how they’re going to end up dealing with the backlog. Just don’t let any of us in

OP posts:
Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:36

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:35

there’s a tech issue. Try later. The form is open until late afternoon.

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When I am at work and realistically if you’re submitting a form at 4pm you’re at the back of the queue.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:35

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:33

As I have said. I am happy to do it and have done it before. The issue is the form won’t work!! I cannot get to the form to fill it in.

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there’s a tech issue. Try later. The form is open until late afternoon.

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:35

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/12/2025 08:34

This sounds an absolute pain in the neck!

8am is quite late to open the econsult 'line'... (ours opens at 6am).

I know it's no help today... But you can't be the only one having issues at your surgery.

So @inagrumptoday Could you petition the practice and ask them to open earlier?? I mean, presumably an hour earlier would be helpful? Write letters to them, giving your examples. Are there any patient groups attached to the surgery?

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I’ll take a look. Not sure if PALS operates for surgeries too or just hospitals? But it is really silly and inaccessible for those who work.

OP posts:
Sn0wfa11 · 12/12/2025 08:35

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:30

The categories are a joke. My mum has just been on to look and says the closest thing to what im experiencing would be general tiredness. Which isn’t exactly accurate and will likely just lead to them coming back and saying “sleep more”

Show quote history

The closest my 80s mum could get for concerning dizziness was the ear tick box when she didn’t have an ear condition.Consequently she was given an appointment weeks away.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/12/2025 08:34

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:29

I know how to fill them in. The issue is it’s just not working!! It keeps refreshing and saying there’s an error on the page. The receptionist has said she’s not able to help as she can see from the past that I can fill in a form

Show quote history

This sounds an absolute pain in the neck!

8am is quite late to open the econsult 'line'... (ours opens at 6am).

I know it's no help today... But you can't be the only one having issues at your surgery.

So @inagrumptoday Could you petition the practice and ask them to open earlier?? I mean, presumably an hour earlier would be helpful? Write letters to them, giving your examples. Are there any patient groups attached to the surgery?

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:33

PeonyPatch · 12/12/2025 08:32

Annoying aren’t they. They’re like impish gatekeepers.

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I’m convinced they just look at the forms and make a decision based on how they feel that day

OP posts:
Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:33

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:32

Well your complaint is ridiculous. You fill out a form and submit. You could do it on a toilet break. It’s not that difficult. Things change.

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As I have said. I am happy to do it and have done it before. The issue is the form won’t work!! I cannot get to the form to fill it in.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 08:32

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:19

Gee thanks, that’s so very useful

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Well your complaint is ridiculous. You fill out a form and submit. You could do it on a toilet break. It’s not that difficult. Things change.

PeonyPatch · 12/12/2025 08:32

inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:31

To be fair the day a GP receptionist is helpful is the day hell freezes over

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Annoying aren’t they. They’re like impish gatekeepers.

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:31

PeonyPatch · 12/12/2025 08:30

I’ve had receptionists fill one out for me before so just explain you’ve no way of doing it right now. They need to be more helpful than this and use common sense.

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To be fair the day a GP receptionist is helpful is the day hell freezes over

OP posts:
PeonyPatch · 12/12/2025 08:31

Also try restarting your phone or clearing your cookies/cache/browsing data on your phone — that could help

Original poster
inagrumptoday · 12/12/2025 08:30

PeonyPatch · 12/12/2025 08:29

I dislike e consult forms for the lack of appropriate categories too. I’ve been trying to book appointments for fertility issues, but the closest “condition” to select is pregnancy would you believe!

The categories are a joke. My mum has just been on to look and says the closest thing to what im experiencing would be general tiredness. Which isn’t exactly accurate and will likely just lead to them coming back and saying “sleep more”

OP posts: