How to book a doctor’s appointment

[TerribleCustomerCervix]

Very boring thread, but I’m actually at a loss for what to do.

My last prescription had a note on it saying I needed a review before I can order another months worth. Am happy to do so, no problem.

But I can’t speak to a sodding GP at my surgery.

There’s no in-person appointments due to Covid (understandable) and telephone appointments can only be booked for that day between 8:30 and 9am. When I’ve been trying to get in touch during that period the phone lines are so bunged up that they don’t even let me queue to speak to someone, it just comes up user busy.

Then when you do get through to a receptionist they tell you all the slots for that day are gone and to tell you to try again tomorrow, queue repeat of the whole frustrating cycle. I’ve been trying a week now and no joy.

Is this actually acceptable? Is it worth complaining to the Practice Manager?

I really feel for the receptionists- they have a voice message playing which tells patients not to be aggressive so they must be baring the brunt of people being pissed off.

Put the order for a repeat prescription in. IF they want to reassess they'll contact you to arrange an appointment.

I struggled with this last week but needed a blood test form. Was told to ring for an appointment so request one from the GP. After being on hold for twenty minutes I emailed FAO the gp saying please give me a blood test form, I don't actually need an appointment with you. Was actioned immediately. I'd do the same. Email saying you need the prescription but have tried x days to get through but have failed. Please can they prescribe until they are able to revert to a more normal booking system.

It's a complete waste of everyone's fucking time and it drives me mental

Our GP's website has a messaging function which is great for this kind of thing.

I can understand GP surgeries wanting/needing to triage people before making face to face appointments but they really do need to put better systems in place.

Ours has got a new online system, and you can send a message to reception.

It's actually been really helpful over the last year - they take a while to get back to you but it bypasses the horrific phone system.

This is ridiculous!!
@Seeline that's always the case in my experience, i recently submitted a request for 3 items (all of which I have had since childhood for my eczema!) and they only issued 1 item because the others had been wiped off my repeat list due to length of time since I'd last ordered them (it took 2 phone calls to find this out and hence over a week to actually receive the items).
Can you add a note when you submit a repeat prescription request? I do mine online and there's a comments box for free text so if you have something similiar I'd put a repeat request in and a note saying "if you need to see me please call me to make an appointment because I've tried for a over a week and been unsuccessful".

@Seeline

Put the order for a repeat prescription in. IF they want to reassess they'll contact you to arrange an appointment.

We have the opposite at my surgery. If you put the repeat request in and you’re due a review, they just decline it and it isn’t until you arrive at the pharmacy / call them to get the medication you’re told this

Depending on what the medication is, some pharmacies will issue you with emergency medication until you get your prescription filled

I was able to message our surgery via the website and they then arranged a telephone appointment to do the review. I was able to request a particular doctor too.

Just order the prescription, our GPS are just moving the review dates on by a month so that you get your prescription. They are slightly behind on med reviews due to the pandemic, they will not see you without meds and will ring you if they need to speak to you.

It’s actually driving me mad! I work and have an hour long commute in the morning through windy country lanes so can’t even responsibly call in the car not that there would be any point

I’m keen as mustard to have a review anyway- it’s an anxiety medication and tbh I feel a million times better so would jump at the opportunity to reduce my dose, and I don’t feel the need for an actual appointment to discuss.

But fuck me, it’s 2021- there’s bound to be better way of managing it.

I'm so glad my GP has an online booking system which avoids this issue.

Can you call at another time of day and tell them that you have been trying to get through for days during the 8.30-9am slot and you urgently need a medication review? They might make an exception if you explain the circumstances. They always keep back a few appointments.

If not, it's annoying but obviously some people are getting through on the phone, so you just have to keep calling and calling... it's an absolutely terrible system though.

I know this is an old thread but I have exactly the same problem - given only one month’s supply and told I need to book a review before mid March. Called to book said review but told I can’t book it until early March. Why can’t I book it now so it’s in the diary? You just can’t. So what happens if there are no appointments available before my prescription runs out? We’ll make sure we fit you in somehow. So wouldn’t it be easier all round to book it now? Don’t shoot the messenger, was the reply. IT MAKES NO SENSE!! Now I have to remember to call back on 1 March when I’m at work (off today) and probably be on hold for 40 mins…. Do all practices have this stupid system?

No they don't ! I'm a GP in one surgery where we have e consults and are doing everything a pretty much as before covid now having seen f2f all the way through if needed. However.... I am trying to get my sons meds from the GP we are registered at but need to speak to them and I need to see them about me ... .and I just can't - I genuinely cannot get through the system. I have been trying for months !!!

Actually our GPs has on online system too, but the point is why can’t I book an appt now for 2-3 weeks time, why do I have to wait a week to MAKE the booking? Isn’t that a waste of everyone’s time having a conversation (or online chat) to say ‘no we can’t do this until next week’. It’s the same with non-urgent appointments, you can’t book the next available appointment in 4 weeks’ time if the next 3 weeks are fully booked - crazy!