How many times have you seen your GP/doctor in the last year?

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Four times for me, which feels like quite a lot. Twice to report bleeding in between periods, once to check prescription medication and once because I was worrying that leg pain might be caused by a dvt (it wasn't, and I was embarrassed to waste their time). So really, I take up a lot of NHS resources in spite of being a basically healthy middle aged woman. All I can say in my favour is that I don't bother them with colds or sore throats or the joint pain I get that I assume is OA. Just wondered if this is typical of how others use their GP. Do you think 4 visits a year makes you one of those nuisance patients that they dread seeing?

In the last 12 months I’ve seen a GP 4/5 times ( and am going again soon) , a respiratory consultant twice and an endocrinologist twice . I have multiple medical conditions .

Once. I had my copper coil taken out and a Mirena put in last October. It was the nurse practitioner rather than the gp though.

I've seen a nurse for smear in the last 12 months but haven't seen a GP.

Um, actually not since I was pregnant. My DC's are now teenagers so I expect they've deleted me off their list anyway.

I did ask my GP once if she thought I was wasting their time (by seeing them so often) and she said they don’t mind those who genuinely need the support and help , it’s those who abuse the system ie go to GP for over the counter meds, minor illness eg colds etc , don’t take advice and come back two days later , don’t turn up at all or those who are rude/abusive and aggressive (apparently not that unusual) . She said no issue at all with people who need long term support , even if the issue could be given better support in the community - if that help doesn’t exist she said most GPs would accept that they become a huge source of support for some people . I remember when my granda died suddenly just eight months ago my grans GP offered to visit her at home for a ‘bereavement visit’ and also to see her in the surgery for a few months just to make sure she was OK . Maybe that’s a rural surgery thing though !!

None for me, it's been a good year!

I haven't been to the doctor for about 3 years, but that's just because I've been lucky to be healthy!

You're only a nuisance if you're going regularly for a cold/sore throat/other random condition that could be solved with a trip to the chemist.

I'm also terribly overdue a smear test so I should go! I'm a nuisance in another way!

I've been 4-5 times in the past 12 months, plus 3 blood tests, but I have two long term conditions

None. In fact out of the 4 of us there's been no visits to the GP. Nurse twice for me for repeat contraception script but that's it. Touch wood!

At least a dozen, for ongoing chest pain. Had cardiac tests, xrays, ct scans, been seen at first time chest pain clinic, had 24 heart monitor and had nuclear stress test (myocardial perfusion scan). All fine, so been diagnosed with costochondritis (inflammation of the rib tissue lining). The pain has taken me to the edge of my sanity at times, and is terrifying when you're suddenly gripped with a terrible pain across your chest/back.

Had ongoing consultation with same GP between all these tests, he's been lovely and reassuring but he's also the busiest GP in the practice and works between there and our local OOH unit so getting appointments is like finding hens teeth.

In the past 9 months I have been 17 times. MH issues so mostly medication reviews, dosage changes or to go through blood test results and pick up new prescriptions for whatever new thing shows up in my blood.

We've had a few trips to the pharmacy (worms and chicken pox) and optician (weird eye thing that turned oocytes to be a blocked gland)

I can't remember the last time I went to the doctor. It must be over 10 years since I last saw the GP.

GP: Once at my dd's 8 week appointment. Our practice don't bother doing them for mums unless you feel you need one.
I absolutely hate going and try and avoid wherever possible.

Psychiatrist: 4 times I think. Trying to get him to discharge me after having postpartum psychosis with dc1 who is now 4 but apparently I'm a car crash waiting to happen...

There's 2 adults and 2 kids in our house and I can't remember the last time anyone saw a GP. At least 5 years ago at a guess, if not more. I think we must be very lucky.

Have had a phone consultation about changing meds dosage bout this time last year. Last time I went to drs was when I was carried in unconscious in october, I was hospitalised and got questioned there on why I don't go to the drs much, which was a bit odd as I'm usually a typically healthy 32yo but of course I go if i'm really unwell or need help.

Think In 5 years I've been once with my back, once with my tremors, once with extreme exhaustion, once with a chest infection and the october incidence. Feels like a lot written down.

Last saw my GP about 2 years ago , had shoulder pain ( waited about 6 months for it to get better by itself )
Have an appointment once a year at the asthma clinic with a practise nurse though

Last year it was mainly midwife appointments through pregnancy and then getting the implant. This year i haven't been for myself I don't think but I must have been at least 8 times with DS, as well as 5 trips to a&e, an operation and admitted for an overnight stay all for DS!

I live in Ireland- no NHS here so a Doctor's visit is put off unless absolutely necessary - that said I have to go once a year as i'm on anti depressants

GP maybe once every month or two months. Plus a specialist appointment most months too (different specialists). I have 5, possibly 6 chronic conditions.

Ironically I have a load of appointments now because my NHS GP didn't take me seriously for years. (Now abroad with private insurance, thank goodness!)

Can I ask pp living in Ireland howregular monthly check ups or repeat prescriptions for mental health works? Do you have to pay €50 each month for a check up?

I have had my moneysworth out of the NHS this year....couple of appts about HRT, a random accusation of HBP disproved by monitoring my BP over a week or fortnight, excessive periods, new Mirena, menopause clinic visit, smear, couple of other investigations while they were "in the area" and a follow up. Plus my first mammogram, that resulted in NHS approved bosoms.

My mother does say that once they get you in there you are never out so I am generally not a frequent visitor, but one thing certainly leads to another.

I'd go back to discuss some extra HRT but tbh I can't face a huge circus so I haven't been bothered yet.

Once to gp this year for frozen shoulder. I burnt my leg at Christmas though and saw the practise nurse every few days for a couple of weeks to have dressings changed.

Once for postnatal 6 week checkup.

Lots of times with my DC!

@myidentitymycrisis a repeat prescription without seeing the GP is €10. Some GPs charge less for regular consultations about the same thing, ours is €35. People on lower incomes can apply for medical cards which cover all treatment, or a GP visit card which covers GP visits, but these are getting harder to qualify for. We mostly have to pay for prescriptions. I picked mine up today & it was €52.66 for the month.