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Original poster

How often does your GP's surgery call or text you?

37 replies

NahNahNever · 09/01/2023 08:35

I've been registered with my surgery for 5 years and in that time I think I've had 2 appointments (both for minor ailments). I have no health conditions and I last had an appointment over a year ago.
However I'm getting an increasing amount of texts and calls from them. Last week I had 1 call and 2 texts. The call was from a lady who didn't tell me her role, but wanted to book me in for a smear and also querying whether I was up to date on Covid boosters.

I then got a text saying they strongly advised me to get a flu jab and if I'd done so through a pharmacy, could I let them know so they can update their records. And then Friday, random text with no niceties just 'I would like you to submit your blood pressure reading...here's the link to do so'.

I've never had this much contact with a surgery before. Is this pretty normal? I'm mid-40s so I wondered if it was increasing as I get older?

OP posts:
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 09/01/2023 08:38

It’s the last quarter of the year and I suspect they have an eye to their targets for various tests, which will affect their funding. And/or a new member of staff or a sudden decision to start doing more outbound comms.

mine never communicate like this.

Treacletreacle · 09/01/2023 08:40

My dad's gp literally calls him or texts every Friday. We have now named him Dr death as my dad is convinced he won't stop until he has found something wrong with him. He has send him for so many bloody tests scans and screening at the hospital it's crazy. Unlike me at another surgery who can't even get an appointment. Sorry not a helpful comment but just wanted to show what it can be like at some surgeries

ouch321 · 09/01/2023 08:56

Mine only automated texts about smears which I just ignore and any big development at the practice.

They let you text in and send photos now for small issues rather than book in an appt and the doc just sends a prescription. It's good.

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General health
justasking111 · 09/01/2023 08:58

Nothing since covid arrived

megletthesecond · 09/01/2023 09:02

Mine never send anything as I'm always up to date with tests. I'm almost 50 though so maybe I'll start getting more reminders.

Pixiedust1234 · 09/01/2023 09:02

Smear - I get a letter from the trust asking me to book with my GP.
Covid and flu - get a text invitation since I have a lung condition that could make me seriously ill if I didn't.
Blood pressure - never, didn't know it was a thing.

All this are things that the government pays them extra to do so they might be needing the cash to keep the lights on otherwise they will close. Sounds like they are desperate so can you book in for at least the blood pressure?

Ragwort · 09/01/2023 09:03

I've had quite a few recently ... one telling me I had been chosen for a weight loss programme Grin ... I haven't been weighed at the surgery for years ... I was petty and sent a reply asking on what basis I had been selected!

oudie · 09/01/2023 09:03

Never. It's not something our surgery do. We still get old fashioned letters.

YorkieTheRabbit · 09/01/2023 09:11

The last two texts were telling me to book a flu jab.
Received one in October saying I could book a heath check
Several at the beginning of last year saying I was due a smear test, they also phoned me several times trying to get me to make an appointment.

TheOtherHotstepper · 09/01/2023 09:11

Thirteen texts, one e mail and one letter about flu and COVID vaccinations after I'd told them I wasn't going to take them up.

One letter re a routine health check that I am not eligible for because I have long term conditions.

However, no medical care, no medication reviews, no reviews of long term conditions. Finally invited for pneumonia vaccination, which I did have, two years late.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 09/01/2023 09:12

I get texts reminding me to update my weight and height and I just ignore them. The only other texts I get are letting me know they are closed for training, not that you'd know as it's so hard to get through to them!

FuckabethFuckor · 09/01/2023 09:12

Ours texts admin-y stuff, like changes to opening hours or when they're doing staff training and won't be answering the phones.

blobby10 · 09/01/2023 09:12

It varies with mine - I don't need appointments very often and when I do can't get one so I pay £50 and use an online GP as I'm usually desperate.
Anti depressant medication is on repeat prescription and every two or three years I get a phone call review telling me they will renew the repeat but I must try and come off them slowly.
Started getting flu jab reminders once I turned 50 and then lots of Covid vaccination reminders.

Last year out of the blue I got a request for a blood pressure reading which, when I hadn't done in three days (cos I don't have a machine at home and couldn't get to a pharmacy cos I work!) got repeated,. After 5 days it got more urgent apparently and I managed to borrow a machine off a friend and submitted it. Not heard anything since. nor have I been sent an appointment for a smear!

LIZS · 09/01/2023 09:13

Reminders for vaccines, last one was end November to book an asthma review - no appointments available last two times I checked.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/01/2023 09:19

Mine will call or text me when my name (or DS's name) comes up on a list for vaccination, smear test etc, and they have a box to tick.

If either of us is actually sick there is no chance of an appointment of course.

123woop · 09/01/2023 09:24

I get a lot of texts - updates on opening hours/training days, surveys to fill in, things like "only emergency appointments are to be booked this week" etc

Lookingformymarbles · 09/01/2023 09:25

Rarely-the last text was in November saying I was eligible for a flu vaccine and several saying don't contact them as they're too busyConfused that's all I can remember

LostAtTheCrossRoad · 09/01/2023 09:26

Never? ! Never had anything in 20 years.

Sarahcoggles · 09/01/2023 09:27

I'm a GP. We are obliged to collect certain data (BP, cholesterol etc) on people at different ages, with different medical conditions, or just generally if it hasn't been done for a while. Searches will be run intermittently and those who've not had a smear or BP check or whatever, will get a text. It's part of the GP contract, we have to do it.

On a separate but related note, you would be astounded at how much time is spent chasing people to come for checks. Diabetics for example, who refuse to collect their medication, or who collect it but refuse to have monitoring blood tests. I would estimate the average GP spends 1-2 hours a week trying to persuade people to have the appropriate medical intervention. We have to do it because if we don't, and they suffer adverse consequences, we are to blame for not chasing them enough. Madness, but that's how it is.

Mybonnielad · 09/01/2023 09:30

DH recently got 2 letters asking him to book an appointment for his annual review. He had it 2 months ago. What a waste of time and resources.

Original poster
NahNahNever · 09/01/2023 09:32

Sarahcoggles · 09/01/2023 09:27

I'm a GP. We are obliged to collect certain data (BP, cholesterol etc) on people at different ages, with different medical conditions, or just generally if it hasn't been done for a while. Searches will be run intermittently and those who've not had a smear or BP check or whatever, will get a text. It's part of the GP contract, we have to do it.

On a separate but related note, you would be astounded at how much time is spent chasing people to come for checks. Diabetics for example, who refuse to collect their medication, or who collect it but refuse to have monitoring blood tests. I would estimate the average GP spends 1-2 hours a week trying to persuade people to have the appropriate medical intervention. We have to do it because if we don't, and they suffer adverse consequences, we are to blame for not chasing them enough. Madness, but that's how it is.

That's really helpful to know. I recently had a birthday so I wondered if that had put me into the next age bracket with increased requests for tests etc.

I just know that the NHS is under pressure and it's quite difficult to get an appointment in many places so while routine testing is good, it feels like nurse practitioners' time could be better spent? But as you say, if it's part of the contract then it has to be done! It's helpful to have the explanation.

OP posts:
User8281894 · 09/01/2023 09:37

I get a 'we've noticed you're overdue a smear test' text every time I contact them about anything. Have repeatedly told them to not bother/asked to opt out and they still do it so I assume they're made to. I never hear from them otherwise.

tinytemper66 · 09/01/2023 09:59

I have been with my GP practice since birth and I have only had call backs during Covid when they were only doing telephone consultations. I am now 56.

Buzzinwithbez · 09/01/2023 10:12

Mid 40s and have never had anything like that.
A letter about a smear every so often, which I make my own private arrangements for separate from the surgery and that's it.

thereisonlyoneofme · 09/01/2023 10:16

Never , I dont think I exist for them

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