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Original poster

Impossible to see a GP!

66 replies

daffodilandtulip · 03/07/2023 09:37

Does every GP have this "ring at 8am" system? I've been trying to get an appointment for ten working days. Even in the miraculous occasion that I get through at 8:02, the appointments have all gone.

(Mind you, not that it matters if everywhere has the same system, I've asked the other local GPs and they are full.)

There isn't even any kind of triage - they don't even ask - what if I've got something serious going on?

OP posts:
eandz13 · 03/07/2023 18:41

Mine is like this too. If you ring at 7:59 it's the automated "the practice is currently closed", but if you ring at 3 seconds past 8 you're 104th in the queue and there are no remaining apts once you get through. You can pre-book apts, however, although the soonest is August.

Shopper727 · 03/07/2023 18:44

My son phoned this morning at 8 was in the surgery by 9 has an appointment for bloods and a follow up, they are good but even I was shocked at the speed he’s been seen. v Efficient.

Original poster
daffodilandtulip · 03/07/2023 18:44

@PurBal pharmacist tried to help but said I needed a doctor. Advised contacting 111, which I feel guilty doing but I think I will in the end.

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General health
JessicaBrassica · 03/07/2023 19:08

I spent my lunch break moving from 6th in the queue to 5th. I was on the phone long enough to drive from where I was to the supermarket, get lunch and drive back...

JeandeServiette · 03/07/2023 19:23

Floralnomad · 03/07/2023 15:13

@daffodilandtulip , have you looked at Benenden health , it’s different to usual private health insurance and you can AFAIK pay for a GP consult . It is about £15 per month and they step in if the wait times on the NHS are excessive .

Are the rules on pre existing conditions better with Benenden?

JeandeServiette · 03/07/2023 19:25

daffodilandtulip · 03/07/2023 18:44

@PurBal pharmacist tried to help but said I needed a doctor. Advised contacting 111, which I feel guilty doing but I think I will in the end.

I would r feel bad about that. 111 is a standard triage service now.

Parker231 · 03/07/2023 19:28

eandz13 · 03/07/2023 18:41

Mine is like this too. If you ring at 7:59 it's the automated "the practice is currently closed", but if you ring at 3 seconds past 8 you're 104th in the queue and there are no remaining apts once you get through. You can pre-book apts, however, although the soonest is August.

DH was a GP until last year when he’d had enough and left after 25 years. The practice has closed as no other GP wanted to take it on.
The reason why you can’t get an appointment is unfortunately very straightforward - more people want an appointment (urgent and non urgent) than there are available. GP’s are leaving in large numbers

Original poster
daffodilandtulip · 03/07/2023 22:07

@Parker231 it's a scary state of affairs.

OP posts:
MirandaWest · 03/07/2023 22:11

DS had an issue over the weekend that meant he needed to see a GP today. Filled out an online form first thing this morning, got a call at 8:30 and had an face to face appointment at 10:30am.

PurplePolkaDot1 · 03/07/2023 22:13

I just want to point out this is the Conservative government’s fault. There are not nearly enough GPs or healthcare staff. The ones that are still working are so stressed and overwhelmed they are leaving, going part time or abroad.
The government have run the NHS and its staff to the ground.

MissyB1 · 04/07/2023 09:05

PurplePolkaDot1 · 03/07/2023 22:13

I just want to point out this is the Conservative government’s fault. There are not nearly enough GPs or healthcare staff. The ones that are still working are so stressed and overwhelmed they are leaving, going part time or abroad.
The government have run the NHS and its staff to the ground.

Oh yes I totally agree.

MoggyP · 04/07/2023 09:41

PurplePolkaDot1 · 03/07/2023 22:13

I just want to point out this is the Conservative government’s fault. There are not nearly enough GPs or healthcare staff. The ones that are still working are so stressed and overwhelmed they are leaving, going part time or abroad.
The government have run the NHS and its staff to the ground.

I can't forgive the Labour government for what it did to GP contracts either. That was a huge shift from the concept of GPs as family doctors, with continuity of care. Allowing them to sell off OOH so cheaply completely changed the in primary health provision.

They did however require GPs to have at least some bookable appointments, (after notorious Question Time, when Blair claimed "no waiting list for GP appointments" and was ambushed by the public pointing out that was because appointments had been abolished, it was all on 8:00 am scramble and no-one was counting how many days it took for you to get "lucky"

Murpe · 04/07/2023 09:48

Mine you used to be able to book in advance when I last saw a GP a year ago, but when I tried a few weeks ago, the receptionist said it was now 8am only. However the recorded message when you call at 8am says "these appointments are for issues that need to be seen on the day only". I don't know how you are supposed to talk to someone about non-urgent but persistent issues.

I called at a couple of mins after 8am, held for 24 mins. What on earth people do who are commuting, taking kids to school, I don't know.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 04/07/2023 09:51

It’s not new that it’s bad. Just far worse than it used to be. A few years ago I remember tearing my hair out because I needed a post-op check up after ten days and the surgery could only offer me three weeks. But now it would be ten weeks.

Original poster
daffodilandtulip · 04/07/2023 22:45

Missed the 8am scramble due to work ... try again tomorrow 😩

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 04/07/2023 22:54

I called my GP at 4.15pm, got through straight away and was given an appointment for 9pm tomorrow.

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