What's your experience when it comes to getting GP appointments? And other questions...

My GP practice are super good tbh - you phone up, either the nurse practioner or duty GP call you back (depends on issue), they decide if you need to be seen, and you either get a same day appointment, or next day if less urgent. If you see someone routinely, they make your next appointment while you are with the GP.

They are great, and I really appreciate what they do

I cant book my smear because my periods are so irregular i never know when they will be EVERY month is different (sometimes they are only 2 weeks apart. sometimes 3 sometimes 4. Its the same for booking the initial Depo injection I never know when my period will start so i had to pre warn reception that i might have to piss them about albeit inadvertantly. Ive booked an appointment but may have to cancel it on the day if my period doesnt start. or struggle to get an earlier appointment at short notice if i come on earlier

Message to Government.
From what I understand a large number of GPs who are very experienced, and, in my opinion, invaluable in general practice are fighting to retire asap.

My sister's lovely GP has just retired aged 50, she LOVES her work, she hates to retire, the patients are beside themselves but her working life has been destroyed by gratuitous paperwork brought in by Blair (I think) and added to by everyone.

Just let them be GPs, we need them to be gps not pen pushers.

My GP last week, when I asked how she was, looked at me and said she had just tried to resign last week but her colleague had beaten her to it so now she can't resign for 6 months. She looked like she would burst into tears.

She is in her 50s, massively wise, massively experienced, a huge loss to General Practice and has lost any desire to work as a GP anymore.

This is tragic and short sighted. Unless the gov is really trying to close all the GPs down so we can all go and q at A&E like a bunch or sorry Assed Americans with the appalling and vicious health system (Pay Insurance that won't cover anything you will need it for, genius!).

Our practice is pretty good, but we have to wait about 3-4 weeks for an appointment. I don't have experience of needing urgent appointments.

The GPs are great for calling back and will prescribe over the phone. I rang with acute sinusitis recently and had my prescription in my hand within 10 minutes.

On the whole, I think they are doing their best with limited resources.

Our practice is fantastic. You can always get to speak to or see someone if you need to.

Yes, there is a wait if it's something non-urgent, but if you need to be seen that day then you will.

They operate the phone-at-8am for a same day appt, and yes, you do end up hitting redial, and yes, often all the appts are gone, but the receptionists will always put you on the list for a call back from the GP and they will fit you in somehow if they can't help you over the phone.

Dh has an ongoing mental health problem and the GPs have gone above and beyond to help him and fit him in sometimes at very short notice, and when the dcs were small babies you were always seen if you phoned at any time.

The practice nurse does a lot of the routine stuff and there's never much of a wait to see her which helps if you have ongoing issues that need monitoring.

They are all lovely people, they work their arses off and they always look a bit knackered. I am very grateful.

My recent experience - I needed a routine medication review with a gp, I had a weeks holiday booked from work, makes sense to try and get an appointment during that week rather than taking time off work. I ring up to book an appt two weeks before my week off; I'm totally flexible, can take any appointment available during that week. Absolutely no appointments available at all, advised to call on the day. Monday morning - by the time I got through after continuously redialling, all appts taken. I managed to get one on Tuesday, but felt bad that this was an appt that might have been needed by someone who was actually ill and needed to be seen that day, when I would have been happy to take a pre bookable appt, but none were available.

I really can't fathom out how the system works or who it benefits.

Another thing that really riles me about my gp surgery is all the support groups and health promotion events are during working hours. I'm really struggling with my weight at the moment and my surgery offers exercise classes, weight loss clinics, support groups, community walks. I would love to take advantage of these, but they are all between 9 - 5. The only people who can really access them on a regular basis are the retired, unemployed or stay at home parents.

At mine, it's ring at 8.29 for 25 minutes then you get through and told to ring back at 11 to see if there's any for the afternoon as the mornings now full. Last time I rang 34 times. Luckily she said she's going to try and get me a repeat prescription of what I needed without needing an appt. but she couldn't so she rang me back and had managed to slot me in at 4.30 which was good but I really did need the medication or it's a 21-30 day wait for an appt.

A lot if people here use the new walk in clinic in a real 'kid with pouring ears and burning up' situation but no way of getting through - especially as it's not possible to sit on the phone on a busy morning for 30 minutes constantly, and have given up on the GP. I and others at my surgery have also noticed the 'see you next weekers' I.e. They come out if their appointment and say to the receptionist 'see you same time next week'' they DO have every right to be seen when they need to be seen, but chronic ailments should surely be managed long-term in a more sustainable way?? And they see the same GP every time, surely if it was really crucial it wouldn't matter which one they used?? Just my thoughts anyway.

I seem to be in a minority. Our GP surgery runs a tiered appointment service; you can book routine appointments in advance, and emergency appointments on the day. I've never not been able to book either a suitable routine, or an emergency appointment. The also do triage phone calls; so if you need advice, or are not sure if you need to see a GP, one will call you to discuss it, and if necessary make you an appointment. Repeat prescriptions are dealt with speedily, usually within 24-48 hours, but sooner if needed, and the receptionists are all lovely.

It's an excellent, well organised surgery, the GPs are excellent, and I can't fault them. The only thing I would change is to have a Saturday morning surgery.

Our surgery is good for emergency appointments - yes, you have to ring constantly from 8am but they will always squeeze you in on the day (though you do have to justify yourself to the receptionist).

Where it falls down is on routine appointments - these are never available less than four weeks ahead. So if I have a non emergency I have to pretend that it's more urgent so that I can get seen.

Pray you don't need to see a doctor on a Monday. Then phone at 1 minute intervals from 8am onwards until either it is time to leave for school and you have to hang up or, if it's a Monday, you eventually get through and there are no appointments left. If it's not a Monday there's a reasonable chance of getting an appointment the same day. On the occasions when there was no appointment available at all I've been asked if I can get to the walk-in centre (answer: not always) or the dr has phoned back and then decided if he can squeeze us in between other patients. They also always ask if it's something that can be dealt with by the nurse practitioner on days when she's in, which seems very sensible to me.

I do now have a log-in so that non-urgent appointments can be booked online. Haven't had the need to use that so don't know how well it works.

It's fine if you can work the system. We have online booking available. Telephone booking also.

For a same day appointment I do this:

1. Surgery opens at 8am for calls.
2. Start telephoning at 7.57. It will go to answer phone.
3. As soon as the answer phone kicks in, put the phone down then redial.
4. Rinse and repeat.
5. You'll catch the switchboard just as they flick over from answer phone to answering the calls.
6. Say the words "I need an appointment this morning, please." This is essential. Any suggestion that you'd like an appointment, asking if they have appointments, etc., will lead to a lecture about emergency appointments.
7. When the receptionist says 'we only have emergency appointments' you say 'that's fine, thank you.'

Obviously I only do this if I do need a same day appointment.

I phoned yesterday at 7.57, had my call answered at 8.00 and had my appointment at 09.20.

Well I have had very different experiences with surgeries. My old surgery in Brighton and Hove was excellent, it was easy to get an appointment, a few redials at 8.30am but got there eventually. There was always a slot free somewhere. If I mentioned that it was a baby or child needing to be seen, they would often say 'bring them in straight away' the GPs there were fab, professional, knowledgeable, great 'bedside manner'. I loved their receptionists too, friendly and efficient.

I've since moved 20 miles away, it couldn't be more different unfortunately. By the time I've gotten through on a morning, there are no more appointments left. The dreaded 3pm walk in clinic is your only option. I've sat there before waiting to be seen, with a poorly, screaming baby for 2.5 hours. It was quite literally hell. The receptionists really couldn't give a toss, to the point of rudeness.

One bad moment was calling with my (suddenly) very poorly 9 month old, being told very rudely no chance of an appointment; and having to go to a and e to obtain the care he needed (antibiotics for a nasty chest infection) but I feel this kind of thing should be dealt with at the GPs rather than hospital? I am wary of wasting hospital time also?

But I think the worst was when baby was actually seen by the GP and dismissed as ok, later on that day he is blue lighted to hospital (as advised straight away by a visited out of hours GP) with a temp of over 41 and breathing difficulties, I'm not sure I trust my surgery to be honest, and I think that is my greatest concern.

I don't have any faith in them, like I did with my other GPs.

I pray that the kids and I (kids especially) are fortunate enough not to need their services ever again or at least for a very long time

Our surgery is fantastic and they do their level best given the challenges they face. Some things could be improved (insane repeat prescription system for example) but other improvements come down to funding. They try to see you in a reasonable time period. They offer nurse call back, Dr callback, nurse emergency, nurse practitioner emergency, Dr emergency, home visits plus regular appointment. The simple fact is that there are not enough staff to deal with the number of patients - right down to the admin cover required to field the 8.30 mayhem (even though they don't operate the 8.30 system The reason there isn't the staff is that their isn't the funding. They work hard to meet targets and patient expectation but they are set up to fail. It's no wonder the average gp receptionist becomes a little officious over time!

I rarely bother even trying to get an appointment - I think it is something you inherit, not book. The irony is that my husband (over 60 with asthma) can get an appointment, I can get an appointment for my kids (even for non-urgent things like freezing warts, as there is a clinic for that). But boring old 40-something me does not fit into any sort of priority criteria, and I literally cannot get an appointment at all! I am either told that I have to phone back tomorrow as nothing is left, or offered an appointment 3 weeks hence, which is completely pointless.

As an example, last year I had a wall fall and crush my lower leg. Very hurt, bruised and cut, but not broken or anything critical. GP - no appointments, if you are worried go to A&E. A couple of days later the leg was very swollen still and increasingly painful. GP - no appointments, if you are worried go to A&E. A few more days and I was fairly certain that an infection had set in. GP - no appointments etc. So I went to A&E, only to be told off and turned away as the accident happened a week ago, and it was clearly not an emergency. So I was rejected by both GP and A&E! By this time the swelling was visibly travelling up my leg and my husband insisted I went to a walk in clinic at the train station. They were brilliant and gave me an immediate shot of antibiotics and returned me to the local hospital for urgent IV antibiotics. I had two days on IV antibiotics with my leg raised above my head. I was then discharged and told to follow up with my GP for oral antibiotics - guess what? No appointments. As you can probably tell, I still feel very bitter and let down!

So great for predictable immunisation clinics, asthma clinics etc. but for urgent care and non priority groups - forget it !

Same day appointments it's call on the day receptionist decide whether to put on on the triage list and you them get a call from the nurse who decides if you get seen or not. I tried ringing just after lunch when my little girl was unwell (she seemed ok in morning as you have to ring at 8) and they were totally unhelpful just said I had to call the next morning.
It does take weeks to get a routine appointment and it doesn't seem to register that People work as I think a lots of patients are on benefits and that I need either an appointment round lunchtime, early morning or late. They used to do late night appointments but stopped them. Had to wait 5 weeks for a smear test and that was while I was on mat leave and could have appointments at any times.
However did get a call from my GP after my child was born and do generally see the same GP who is also my daughters GP.

My surgery is great.
Always get a same day appt if you really need one. Often offered a same day appt for non urgent stuff too tbh. eg i rang for a routine appt once to book in as pregnant and was seen that afternoon despite my protest I could easily wait They also have lots of telephone consultations which I particularly tend to use because I'm an HCP and I usually know what I need and whether or not I need to be seen in person

I have phoned at 945 with terrible UTI at by 11 10 I had a prescription in my hand, can't fault them. The local OOH service is very patchy quality though.

I ring at eight thirty am and generally get an appointment the same morning. It works for me.

I think charging people to see a GP is the worst idea ever.

My surgery are very good, you ring at 8.30am or 1.30pm for a same day appointment, and they don't question your reasons. I do end up pressing redial though.

For non-urgent appointments you can book on-line or over the phone, certain popular Doctors get booked up a couple of weeks in advance, but if you are happy to see any GP you can normally get an appointment in a day or two.

My GP is fab - can usually get an appointment the same day, especially for children. The receptionist knows everyone by first name and couldn't be more helpful. I think it helps that it is a very small surgery that still does 2 surgeries per day am and pm rather than one of these huge surgeries that serves a massive area.

I can't register at my local gp as I don't have photographic id or bills in my name. I rent, no book, photo ID is expensive, got some for DS and saving for mine. My previous gp surgery, who were amazing!, had to send my records to the local health authority as gp in my road wouldn't accept me and I had to use the walk in.

DS (17) is registered at gp, got him ID for it. Started calling a few months ago to try to get DS an appt, phone never answered, 2 stars on review site but person who owns it is in control of all the surgeries in the local area, up to 15 miles away! If you contact anyone else they say sorry not our catchment! Kept calling, first thing for appointment then later to pre book.

Surgery does neither over the phone or vis internet as they don't work (NHS website for this surgery says online and 24 hour booking).

I went there to ask for an appointment and they apparently don't make these in advance. The only way to get an appointment is to turn up on the day at 8am and join the queue (I told work I would be late and did so!) I got there at 8 and was 16th in the queue! There were old and disabled people queuing outside (was quite cold that early) waiting for an appt, not even just for that day, any appt! Also was a little girl seemed really poorly but had to wait in the queue.

The doctors surgery doesn't open until 8.30 for Appts and 9.30 to be seem.

When DS finally saw a dr she said make an appt on the way out, I said I don't think I can. Do you want to guess who was right?!

The dr also thinks DS should have counselling, however the practice will not pay for it so would he consider registering at 6th form or college as they do counselling free and would never know.

Policy apparently, as is the 2.5 hrs the surgery is closed for lunchtime everyday.

My surgery had a phase of having to do redial at 8am to get a same day appointment. To be fair I only ever had to use that for the kids & if there weren't any appointments they did call back & prescribe over the phone or on one occasion squeeze in after hours. They've recently increased same day appointments, using dedicated but locum doctors so you can get seen same day even if you call at 10. This worked well when my son had tonsilitis for eg.
What's rubbish is trying to see named doctor about a non-urgent but important health matter. I've been trying to get an appointment for 2 months but appts are released in 2 week bursts & whenever I call they're full...

Thanks, Rowan. Sent.

Pretty much this
" You phone dead on 9am. It is then engaged for the next 45 minutes or so.

If it is 'urgent' you get triaged by a nurse.

If not 'urgent' you make an appointment for about 3 weeks ahead.

There is nothing in between actually really urgent needing treatment now and something that can wait 3 weeks.

Also you can only ask for a triage call back during the morning. If you find a breast lump after lunch or your tonsils turn into pus filled craters in the afternoon you have to wait until the next day to ring."

Plus impossible to book appt with a named /specific GP . Even if you're prepared to wait many weeks . You have to wait until a few appointments are" released " and then ring and try and get one .

My surgery don't let you make advance appointments to see a GP, you have to call at 8am to get an 'on the day' appointment. The line is engaged as soon as you call and all the appointments are gone within 15 minutes. I usually manage to get through in time but I always sit there pressing redial over and over again thinking that my mum, who has early onset Parkinson's, couldn't manage to do that, and I'm sure elderly people would struggle too. You can get an emergency appointment but it has to be a proper emergency (whatever that is.) I also never ever get the same doctor. I laugh at the question you get on forms all the time - who is your child's doctor? When I was a kid we had an amazing doctor who came to the house when we were unwell, and I'm only 34, so a lot has changed since then. On the plus side, nhs 24 is wonderful and I can't praise them enough. They're so nice, even when you call them about mad things #pfb

Our surgery used to be great; ring either first thing in the morning or first thing after lunch and get an appointment that day and it wasn't possible to book in advance.

Then they started to introduce a few book in advance appointments, which was a good balance with the above.

Now it seems that pretty much all appointments are bookable in advance so unless you know when you're going to be ill or it is absolutely desperately urgent or you ring in by 8.15 (after constantly getting an engaged tone) you can't get an appointment on the day. I have no problem with being able to book an appointment for things that aren't urgent but the problems arise if it's something urgent or semi-urgent, which are not always apparent at 8am in the morning.

It seems to me that if a GP appointment is not available then the only option is to go to a walk in centre (where you have to wait for ages unless you are there first thing and then you're not going to see someone who has access to your records and I'm not sure if they can prescribe all types of meds).

When you actually get to see a doctor or a nurse they are helpful and kind and generally friendly and they have been great in the past with various issues/illnesses so I have no issue with the staff but with the systems! Am assuming the changes have something to do with money saving measures and more pressure on the GP system but it is fast becoming a frustrating and largely useless system.