Tried to get a GP appointment this morning... is this normal?

[summedup]

So I haven't been to a GP in years. I have set appointments in advance for things like smear tests and DCs vaccinations but can't remember the last time I was ill and needed to see a GP relatively urgently.

I have an ear infection. Called the GP yesterday lunchtime and they said they had no appointments for the day and to call back at 8am tomorrow to get an on-the-day appointment.

I called at 8.03am and was number 28 in the call queue and then on hold for 1/2 an hour.

Is this normal?!!! I'm a bit
What's it like in your area?

(I managed to get an appointment for 5pm today!)

You're lucky you got an appointment at all! Normally you get through and they're all gone

You were lucky to get an appointment, and to have a go that answers phones in a Sunday!

Yes that sounds right for my area.

Usually you spend 20/30 mins waiting to speak to someone and then get told that one of the GPs will phone you back to triage you. So then you have to wait around for that. Then they might fit you in that day.

You might have been better going to the Pharmacy. They can deal with all sorts of minor ailments. Can issue antibiotics as well.

@RebootYourEngine I thought only Drs could issue antibiotics? If pharmacists can also issue antibiotics then I'll just go to Boots! It's definitely an ear infection, I've had them before (but hadn't used NHS GP service as was abroad both times previously!)

Sadly this very normal.

Although they may tell you its viral and just to take pain killers and wait. Dont expect antibiotics. I dont think a pharmacy will dispense antibiotics without a prescription

It's not unusual for me to make up to 100 redial phone calls from 8 o'clock onwards to get through to the queue. After another 10 mins in the queuing system I do usually get an appointment. Thankfully.

It's no better if I turn up in person at 8 o'clock on the dot to make an appointment in person, there's usually a queue of about 10 other people wanting to do the same.

Not normal at our GP , they have a walk in clinic every weekday morning from 9-1030 and everybody gets seen urgent or not , and most days you can choose which dr as well .

A pharmacist can give antibiotics for some things without a prescription but for an ear infection I would advice to see gp. I had a bad one a few months ago and gas to get a swab in ear which determined I needed two different types of antibiotics.
Regarding waiting time, unfortunately very normal :(

It’s the new normal thanks to ten years of austerity

Yes, very normal.

Normal here.

I’ve been suffering a biblical epic of a UTI, which I think has now dug in permanently, thanks to the impossibility or getting either appointments or antibiotics. Our surgery withdrew funding a year ago for the scheme that let the pharmacist prescribe for minor things. Fools.

Yes, at 8:30 when my GP open there is a queue for emergency appointments. I generally have to wait 2 weeks for a s scheduled appointment.

On a Monday morning that is normal!

Our practice, you can request log in details to book your apps online. It's very rare I book apps, so I haven't requested the log in details.

I always manage to get same day appointments if I call up Tuesday to Friday, but Monday morning is chaotic

How come you managed to get through to your surgery yesterday? I don't know of any open on a Sunday!

Totally normal for a Monday - there's a weekends worth of poorly patients all trying to get appointments. You did really really well to get one for today.

Completely normal. We're lucky if we get in the queue, quite often all the lines are busy so you just get the engaged tone. I live opposite the Drs surgery, it would be quicker for me to walk but we can't book appointments at reception, only over the phone!

No, not normal around here. If you ring first thing in the morning and it's an emergency you'll get a same day appointment. Or you can book online and get one the next day if necessary.

Generally pharmacists can only give out antibiotic eye drops, not for anything else. Only a qualified Pharmacist Independent Prescriber could prescribe antibiotics for an ear infection. In future, if you can't get into your GP then ring 111. They may be happy to issue a prescription to your nearest pharmacy with just a phone consult, or they may send you to a walk-in centre for further assessment.

My surgery would have got me an appointment to see the nurse instead for an ear infection.

That's why people who think the NHS is wonderful are deluded - the humans providing care might be wonderful, but structurally it's a disaster. It's not better than most comparable western countries, it's significantly worse at point of use. I live abroad and get free at the point of use healthcare which everyone has access to and on the day appointments are always available, appointments can be booked the day before, never have to phone more than a couple of times (no queue system) and drop ins are allowed in an emergency, if you're ok with waiting. It's not a private system, to the user its a system not unlike the UK national insurance though different behind the scenes, those on benefits get it free, everyone's covered one way or another, paid as salary deduction relative to income for those with income).

We pay 15% of income though.

It is a much, much better service, but it's more expensive.

The NHS is crap unless you're dying - it's good in acute emergencies or life threatening situations, but things get to that point too often because the primary care is overloaded and broken.

No, it’s definitely not normal to be able to get an appointment when you ask for one. I normally can’t even get through when I try to call mine.

You got through on a sunday?!

You got through on a sunday?!

Oh well spotted @Russell19

Most ear infections clear up by themselves so GPs are less likely to prescribe Antibiotics. But obviously you need to take advice about that. Do go into a pharmacy as they may be able to help.

I have never had to get an emergency same-day appointment so am not sure what the procedure is at my surgery. I think all surgeries now offer an extended hours service so you may be able to get an appointment at another surgery for after 6pm. I work in a city where every GP surgery runs an evening and weekend clinic out of one surgery, so its staffed on a rota by all the GP surgeries but always held in the same place iyswim.

I hope you get it sorted out

My last GP practice was the same - call at 8 on the dot. Get an engaged tone. Continue to redial until you get through and no appointments left.

Moved 20 mins down the road and the new practice is completely different. Never been unable to get a same day appointment (or at least a phone call) when needed, which has been quite a few times with my twins. Had a UTI once - just dropped off a sample, they sent it to the lab and issued antibiotics to my local pharmacy without any issues.

The area i live in now is much nicer and it seems the practice is nowhere near as swamped. It’s worth looking at where else you could register, look at reviews online.