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Original poster

Are all GPs surgeries like this now? How do you get an appointment??

51 replies

Whatevermission · 15/05/2019 10:41

I phoned up for appointments for myself and my daughter. Our doctor doesn't have any appointments on the system. The next available appointment is with another doctor on 4th June. I can't wait until then as I will have run out of medication. But it's not an emergency so I can't have a same day phone call. I asked for an alternative doctor for my daughter...same situation

I'm flummoxed. I asked receptionist what I was supposed to do. Her only suggestion was the appointment on 4th June. Eh?

OP posts:
happypotamus · 15/05/2019 11:16

My GP surgery sometimes has crazily long waits for routine appointments but not always. There is a huge shortage of GPs though.

Your lack of medication will become an 'emergency' when you run out, so you phone then at 8am or whatever time it is at your surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. I know that isn't ideal but it might be your only solution.

AndOutComeTheBoobs · 15/05/2019 11:22

Put in a physical request for the medicine.

That's what I do.
Write it down and give it to the receptionist.

Pasut · 15/05/2019 11:22

I just booked one online for mine this morning and they had appts every day this week including today, apart from Friday but you can normally ring up in the morning and get fitted in if it's urgent.
But it's a very small gps surgery so not many patients to try and fit in.

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DGRossetti · 15/05/2019 11:23

Online system. Log in. Book. Job done.

Can also order repeat prescriptions.

West Midlands.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 15/05/2019 11:24

Surely you just order a repeat prescription?

ifoundthebread · 15/05/2019 11:24

If you need more medication can you not fill out a repeat prescription request, we have them on the reception desk. Give it to the receptionist and then the Dr reviews all the requests and issues what's needed, no need for an appointment

SilentSister · 15/05/2019 11:26

Agreed, our on-line system often has a bank of reserved slots to book. Terrible thing to say, but thank god the elderly generally don't use this access point, which means the rest of us get a look in. Sorry, but it is true.

The only way to get an appointment prior to this new system was to phone up for an emergency appointment and lie, which the receptionist actually told me to do once Shock.

DH has given up completely and now goes private.

Original poster
Whatevermission · 15/05/2019 11:33

Ah-ha...I shall ask about on-line booking....are there generally additional appointments open for booking on-line?

Medication...no it's not on repeat. I have to speak with doctor each time. I'm post-op recovery. I think they are being diligent that I don't get addicted to the painkillers

Silent sister...I have just done this for my dds issue, to get a phone call. I did it because I know the doctor that has seen her previously is on today. Duty doctor phoned me and he gave me an appointment for her for 430pm today

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatevermission · 15/05/2019 11:34

It's not just for meds, need to discuss other aspects of recovery

OP posts:
Drogosnextwife · 15/05/2019 11:38

They may give you a small amount of repeat prescription until you can go for your appointment. Not the same thing but I've had this with my contraception. They give me a year's supply and last time I didn't realise I had run out. They couldn't give me an appointment for 3 weeks, so the receptionist requested a prescription from the doctor and they gave me an extra months supply.

cujo · 15/05/2019 11:38

ask for a nurse practitioner?

Megan2018 · 15/05/2019 11:44

We don't have this issue here no, small rural practice.
It is busy - but you can always be seen. They always have same day appointments which don't have to be emergencies but you have to sit and wait and are seen in order of arrival.
You can always get an appointment with a specific GP within 2 weeks or less.

The staff are shared between 2 practices in different locations - half the week in the village near us and the other half about 6 miles away. So you might have to travel to the other location (and that is only by car) - fine for me but I suppose could be an issue for some.

We have a dispensary onsite though as not everyone can get to a chemist in town.

It is far from perfect but we seem to do better out in the rural areas than in the cities.

SilentSister · 15/05/2019 11:44

Whatevermission Our GP's set aside sections of appointments for different access points. So some only for internet, some for telephone, some by person, some for emergency, some you only book a week in advance, others a month in advance etc etc...... It's a bit odd tbh as sometimes you have to wait a day, to get an appointment for next week in advance, as they are only "opened" up at set times, to stop them getting booked up. It's an odd system.

Original poster
Whatevermission · 15/05/2019 11:48

That sounds dreamy megan

The other thing that drives me mad. The emergency/same day appointment are by phone in a 4 hour slot. You can guarantee that you are on the toilet/with people when they phone back

Need to look at online booking for sure, thanks

OP posts:
SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 15/05/2019 11:52

Did you say the ‘Dr needs to see me by X date, for post surgery check up. Over 3 weeks after this date won’t work, especially as they are checking for the risk of infection.’?

lisalocketlostherpocket · 15/05/2019 11:55

Online booking isn't necessarily the answer either I'm afraid, our doctors have now stopped all same day appointments, you can ask for a telephone triage and then they decide if you need an emergency appointment.

Yes request the medication. They will either fit you in or phone you to discuss if they are not happy reissuing it just like that.

Sparklingbrook · 15/05/2019 11:56

We also have the online system managed by a company called 'Patient Access'. We can order repeat prescriptions, book appointments and see our medical records online. It's fantastic.
I haven't had to ring the surgery since.

I think in your situation a letter might be the only way. Sad

lisalocketlostherpocket · 15/05/2019 11:57

Private GP isn't really an option either - it costs £120 an appointment where I live! I have private healthcare so could have 2 video appointments a year which I suppose is better than nothing, but private healthcare is useless if you can't get to see your GP either, as they are the gatekeepers. The GP system is completely broken but I don't know what the answer is. Certainly start charging for no shows but beyond that I don't know.

youngfreeandnotsingle · 15/05/2019 12:00

I had an appointment this morning that I'd booked over a month ago. This seems to be the usual, even with an online booking system. However, if you do need an emergency appointment, you can go to the surgery at 8AM and they'll give you a same day with any doctor available

pink412 · 15/05/2019 12:00

I would tell a white lie. Since it;s Post op. It's about recovery and if not taken you could get worse.

IKnowYouAndYouCannotSing · 15/05/2019 12:01

I’m another one who abuses the emergency system where necessary because routine appointments are always a month to six weeks ahead. No better online at ours but it’s a huge surgery in London. It’s a ridiculous situation.

Mumof1andacat · 15/05/2019 12:04

Call 111. They might be able to get you an emergency appointment at an out of hours or sometimes gps in the club together and run a late night surgery. It might not be at your usual surgery though

LizzieSiddal · 15/05/2019 12:05

Did you tell the receptionist that you have to see the Dr by X date, Inorder to discuss post surgery recovery and get your medication?
If not, phone back and tell them that.

Soov567 · 15/05/2019 12:17

Our surgery will not book appointments in the future, only a doctor can do it. So you have to have seen a doctor and they set another appointment if needed. You can only see a doctor in the first place by calling up first thing and checking if there are any appointments that day. If not, you are told to go to walk in clinic or A & E. It’s an awful system and it’s the same everywhere

HoppyHop · 15/05/2019 12:41

It doesn't work for all appointments but the apps are great. I'm registered with 2 different ones for my local medical centre-weirdly they offer different appointments.