My GP service

[Lingles]

Is great. You have to call during triage but that lasts till about 11am.
If it’s a rash or someone thing else visible, the receptionist you spoke to sends you a link and you send in a photo for a doctor to look at
if it’s something you don’t need a conversation for (like needing a replacement epipen after dropping mine in a lake) the receptionist sorts it out behind the scenes
if you are upset or hesitant, the receptionist asks no questions
You always get get a call back within a couple of hours from a doctor. If the doctor wants to see you, you come in that afternoon.
there are two practices in our town and they are both like this.
this week my son found a lump under his arm and got diagnosed that day.

of course they can’t magic away waiting lists but for things that they can deal with themselves it’s 10/10.

family members elsewhere tell me very different stories. I wondered why this might be?

Ours is the same! Last Christmas I was not well so I rang for an appointment. GP rang me back within 3 hours and was so kind I burst into tears. As it wasn't urgent, booked me a prescription to get me over the holidays and booked me in for a face to face in the new year.

Couple of weeks ago I had an issue and I rang and was offered a nurse practitioner appointment that afternoon. Got a prescription sent to my pharmacy within the hour. The surgery has appointments available with both GPs and NPs until 8pm on some weeknights.

I think it's just down to how the surgery is managed.

Mine is excellent, can phone between 8 and 10, 11 and 12.30 or 1 and 3 . GP always rings back within 3-4 hours and usually get seen within 48 hours if needed .

I much prefer a phone appointment, especially if it's something relatively minor that needs a prescription. Why waste everyone's time by going in if the GP can diagnose you over the phone.

I think the issue arises when GPS refuse to do anything but phone/video appointments. My surgery does a quick triage and if it's a minor issue, they suggest a phone or nurse practitioner appointment. But the option for a face to face is always available...it's just the wait time is longer.

The phone appointments are definitely good. Even if you know you need to be seen.

I have a lot of breast lumps and the initial chat helps the GP see the relevant history/family history. Also you often finds these things on holiday abroad and it’s very comforting to have a chat before you get home.

Ours’ is great. My son had a wart on his knee that was bothering him. Sent an e-consult with a photo. Doctor called back an hour later, I asked for a referral letter for private dermatologist which I collected the next day. All I , less than 24 hours from
initial email to specialist referral. Similar when I wanted to try HRT- send a message, consultation the next day, prescription collected the day after. We are very lucky!