Should we be able to see/communicate with gp/doctor now?

[Isittimegp]

I think I might be shot for this .

But is it not about time we should be able to get a gp Appointment be able to get through on the phone ect. I get covid effected alot of things I understand there will be a back log for operations and things like that.

But I have read several reviews at different practices. I have seen several from the same surgery say they have got through just for the receptionist to hang up.

Or on hold for over 40 mins to be told there's no Appointments. Call back request not happening ect .

How are people meant to get blood tests done . Or symptoms checked.

I do think for things like getting a basic gp Appointment covid is now being milked. I would not be surprised if its lead to deaths or more serious illness than it would have.

I know I will get shot for this post . But its extremely upsetting for ill /vulnerable people and frustrating for others.

Why does a receptionist not answer the phone ?

Why hang up on people ? (It's not an accident once it happens several times)

Of course you should. My GP has been seeing patients for months, they give you a choice, telephone or face to face. All GPs should be offering this.

I know this doesn’t suit some people but most GPs now have everything online and you can book appointments there, it’s much easier and quicker than phoning.

Our surgery has been seeing people face to face throughout, as well as carrying out home visits to housebound patients.

Blood tests all as normal, receptionists are answering the phone which is constantly ringing off the hook.

You are online so try doing an EConsult or like pp suggested, book an appointment online.

I have had no problems accessing my GP. Over covid they introduced an online form for triage. With a follow-up call from the nurse or GP depending on triage.

It’s been great. I haven’t needed to take time off work to go into the surgery unless I really need to be seen.

I have had to call, once and got through within 10 minutes. Receptionists are lovely here.

I am sorry your practice is not working. You should be able to access medical care. My old practice was shite too, I dreaded the receptionist obstacle course. I have no regrets about changing to this new lovely practice. Is it possible for you to change to a new practice?

My access to the GP has also improved immensely because of Covid. The econsult system works brilliantly - it's not unusual for my consult to be triaged and a GP to have contacted me within the hour. They'll make a face to face appointment if needed but quite often it can be dealt with on the phone or via text message. Not all GP practices are shit. Vote with your feet!

Mine is shocking. Regularly 15th in the queue for over 45 mins.
yearly blood test was 3 months late.can’t book an online appointment. All other gps in the area the same

No problem seeing my GP throughout! Twice a telephone call & a visit next day, blood tests as normal!

My Gps was open all over covid doing face 2 face where necessary. They've been back to normal since summer 2020. Hospital and clinic referrals going on as usual. My mum has had two doctors appointments, one nurse app, one hospital and one clinic appointment all in 3 weeks. Although I'm not always happy with what they do, I can't fault how hard they've worked.

I've had no problem seeing my GP as thanks to Covid they have sorted out their online triage system.

It is however annoying arranging them for my DD as I have to ring them at the right time on the right day otherwise the phone won't get picked up.

Yes seems to be the same in my area as well. Seems lots of people saying the same. Plus the reviews I read for local surgeries.

People who have posted on here seem to be able to communicate in some form with their gp.

Call at 8.00 to be told there are more than 30 in front of me in the queue. Never managed to get an appointment from calling at 8 like I am supposed to. Instead I’ve spoken to the pharmacist at the GP’s who said I did need an appointment and got the GP to call me despite the receptionist telling me I wasn’t an emergency.

All first appointments (once you have got through the receptionist triage) are over the phone and only if the GP thinks you need a face to face do you get one.

My GP manages 3 surgeries. Only one has doctors present and there are no late or early appointments now either. Apparently there is a shortage of doctors.

I know that other local friends don’t have these issues with their GPs. I’m assuming it’s just an ineptly managed practice.

I've given up. Diagnosed with adhd a year ago, meant to have regular medication reviews blah blah, can't even get past the starting block with the first friggin' appointment. So I've stopped bothering. God knows what I'll do if I ever get actually ill.

I love e consult.

I have used it 3 times. Once I filled it in requesting a prescription for a skin problem I’ve had before, prescription issued - perfect. Once I filled it in with details about my DS asthma, had a telephone appt & prescription issued. And once I filled it in about a lump on my breast & had an appointment that day with the GP & a referral.

for me it works perfectly. In the old days those would have been 3 face to face appointments with me needing to take time off work etc.

Ok. Head above parapet. Tin hat on. I don't want to be given a hard time for this and answer any but what about? Questions. Because I do r have the answers.

I'm a GP receptionist. I've done the job for six years. When I see statements like this I wonder where things have gone wrong in the chain of communication.

The reality is this. If you ring at 4.30 in the afternoon for an appointment the same day list will be full. There are no appointments "in the back" for people finishing work. Those people who do have appointments have usually got someone to phone for them.

Tell the receptionist what the matter is. If you don't want to tell them that's fine. But you won't be put on the same day call list. Those patients have to be triaged and we get a bollocking if we don't find out. Think about it. If you have a sick child, blood from your back passage., etc. you will want the GP to ring you first.

Sorry pressed send too soon

Next tip. If you arrange a call back. Answer the sodding phone! It's not a surprise is it? And yes there may have been a lot of different things happen that morning but the GP will call. If the GP calls and asks to see you make yourself available. After all. You're the one that phoned.

I have done the job a while. I deal with some utterly delightful people. I know the system can be confusing to navigate. But he,p us to help you. Tell us why you've called.

Tell the receptionist what the matter is. If you don't want to tell them that's fine. But you won't be put on the same day call list. Those patients have to be triaged and we get a bollocking if we don't find out. Think about it. If you have a sick child, blood from your back passage., etc. you will want the GP to ring you first

Didn't work for DH. When he told the receptionist he had sudden onset, painless jaundice with significant weight loss and fatigue she told him he wasn't a medical emergency and he could wait 10 days for an appointment.

I'm really sorry to hear that. I would have acted very differently. I do always try and advocate for patients. I can only speak from my own experience. I think that's unacceptable response from the receptionist.

I know you meant well here, but this is a PITA and Idon’t think it’s fair to blame the patients for time wasted trying to get hold of people if you haven’t given a rough time. My GP surgery is generally great but the call back system is a disaster. It’s not feasible for most people to have to take the day off work just to wait for the GP or nurse to phone back at some unspecified time. It’s not like I can ditch a call with a patient or another HCP halfway through if that’s the point you choose to ring.

I finally managed to get an appointment (I want HRT) and it was cancelled. I haven't managed to get through at 8am since, and if you bother to call later in the day, and get through, they don't have anything available.

Anything available to book ahead I mean

I asked for gp for a call back via ask 1st app. 3 times I have asked. No call back.

Of course there going to be a few people that miss the call. Ie : elderly /disabled person that did not get to the phone on time. Decided to risk going to the loo ect.

To be honest alot of people on here have said they have managed to communicate with their gp in some form. I was expecting alot more people to say its almost impossible. But now I'm wondering if its an area thing. And wondering why.

@Isittimegp I’m another who uses econsult to be triaged to the correct professional in my health centre. I’ve not needed to see a GP, it’s been an ANP, practice nurse or physio. There’s also pharmacists, podiatrist, OT and mental health workers who work out of our health centre.

If your GPs is still based on the old doctor and practice nurse model that might be the problem? There is a GP shortage but the point is most people don’t need to be seen by them - an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and others are highly skilled and more appropriate many times which frees the GP for cases that require them. The others have also gone and consulted with a GP if required too in my experience.

Next tip. If you arrange a call back. Answer the sodding phone! It's not a surprise is it? And yes there may have been a lot of different things happen that morning but the GP will call. If the GP calls and asks to see you make yourself available. After all. You're the one that phoned.

As I've said above, my gp is,working normally, although maybe differently. Give good service, although can be hard work. Receptionists are lovely. But your response is why receptionists get a bad rep.

I had a gp phone appointment which they said would be anytime in the afternoon. So I arranged all my jobs out of the house in the morning so I'd be at home next to the phone all afternoon. I dropped the car off for it's mot at 10 and switched my phone on and there were 2 calls from the gp, one telling me they were cancelling the appointment for not answering the phone. Then when I rang the surgery, I was told that I had not been told it would be in the afternoon, (I had!) it could have been at any time of the day. Then they had a confab and apologised (I guess they realised I was right) and I had my consult in b&m bargains. Nice. So always assuming that it's the patients fault is annoying!

I've been unwell for 2 weeks, I called the medical centre after a week because I wasn't improving.

Spoke to receptionist, gave her details, nobody called back.

Receptionist said they did. I said no they didn't.

I explained the details again to the receptionist. She arranged another call back.

GP called back. I gave them the details. Arranged a test.

The test was done and back within a few days.

I called for the results, spoke to receptionist, she said test results not in. I felt like she was rushing me off the phone, so asked her to double check.

Yes they were in.
She arranged a call back.

Different GP called back.

He had no idea what I'd said to original GP, he gave me the test results and said it'll clear up on its own.

He didn't know that I've now been unable to keep anything down for now 2 weeks.

I unfortunately didn't know that he didn't know.

Next day, no better, whole load of crap starts again. I call the medical centre, spoke to the receptionist.....

They don't give a fuck.

For anyone who has to phone up for a same day appointment at 8am. You have to start dialling at 7.58am. Hang up as soon as you get the 'gp closed' message and immediately redial, do it continuously for 2 minutes and you should beat the system. I had to do it this morning and was 2nd in the queue. If you dial at 8am or even a few minutes later you'll be 30th in the queue.

Couldn’t access ours before covid, never mind now.
Can’t be bothered. Thinks menopause isn’t a thing and hands out anti depressants.

I’ll be paying private in future.