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Original poster

How the feck to get a GPs appointment?

46 replies

Gabiabbi · 30/12/2023 19:50

Any tips anyone? My GPs don't take bookings online or in person. Only call up at 8am. However, when doing this you tend to go on hold for 50 minutes only to be cut off, or told that no appointments are remaining. I've tried since August, also I'm at work by 8am - sometimes I take time out to try for an appt but I can't do this every day.

It's not an emergency. I have what feels like a rock behind my ribs. It's not painful, just a little uncomfortable and would like to know what it is...

Am I missing a trick? Is there some form of lottery one can enter to win an appointment with a GP? Is there a GP dating site, perhaps I can date a GP in the hope of getting him a bit tipsy and playing it fast and loose with medical advice? Happy to think outside the box here 😂

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 30/12/2023 20:01

Our GP now has a form you fill in on their website that someone reviews and decides if you deserve an appointment. I called for an appointment and there weren't any for 4 weeks. I filled this form in and then magically there was an appointment at that very day.

Have you had a look at their website in case there is something similar?

littlejellyfish · 30/12/2023 20:01

Econsult.

Original poster
Gabiabbi · 30/12/2023 20:02

I wish we had that, but there's nothing like that. I'm seriously considering changing GPs tbh, but I'm not sure how long that takes and/or if it'll just be the same thing elsewhere 😫

OP posts:

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General health
Doggymummar · 30/12/2023 20:03

I use online doctor's mostly now, usually about £40 including the prescription.

AskingForAFriend12 · 30/12/2023 20:06

Gabiabbi · 30/12/2023 20:02

I wish we had that, but there's nothing like that. I'm seriously considering changing GPs tbh, but I'm not sure how long that takes and/or if it'll just be the same thing elsewhere 😫

Its most definitely not. We can call, book online or come in person. If you log on at 8am, you will get an appointment for the same day.

Davros · 30/12/2023 20:12

@AskingForAFriend12 mine too. No real problem, just the system has changed. It's really not acceptable for there to be no online option

Sirzy · 30/12/2023 20:13

Can you go down in person at 8am?

otherwise I would contact the practise manager and complain - you will be amazed how quickly you get seen!

vipersnest1 · 30/12/2023 20:14

OP, how about you write down what the problem is (don't forget to put your DoB, full name and address) and put it in an envelope and then put it through the door? Not that you should have to, of course.

EmmaEmerald · 30/12/2023 20:15

Sirzy · 30/12/2023 20:13

Can you go down in person at 8am?

otherwise I would contact the practise manager and complain - you will be amazed how quickly you get seen!

I've not had a reply from a complaint to Practice Manager in July.

edit - a lovely receptionist sorted it out for me but that was sheer luck.

Sageseashells · 30/12/2023 20:16

I don't think they're all like that. We can make appointments over the phone, it's usually a 2-3 week wait and they only want to do phone appointments. During the phone appointment they might then decide to see you in person, and they have a few reserved every week.

Balloonhearts · 30/12/2023 20:18

Ring 111 and say you can't get an appointment as your GP never has any available and won't fit you in. They'll find you an appointment and your GP must get a slap on the wrist or something as they get the raging hump about it. I had to after I ended up not having what should have been an annual ECG for 3 years. Just kept cancelling appointments and not having any availability to rebook.

ilovebagpuss · 30/12/2023 20:19

Write/email/ring your MP and explain how long you have been trying to get an appointment.
Contact your local newspaper ?
Do they have a facebook page our surgery does, can you post on there?
Make noise in a polite way

WolfFoxHare · 30/12/2023 20:19

They’re definitely not all like this. With ours you fill out an online form and they review and get back to you within 2 working days (in theory - in practice usually you get to see to speak to someone same day).

spanishviola · 30/12/2023 20:20

When you say a rock behind your ribs, do you mean a lump? If so, ask for an urgent same day appointment and tell them you have an unexplained lump.

Ä°cantusethat · 30/12/2023 20:22

Ä° agree with "make a complaint to Practice Manager". They have an obligation to respond within a certain time frame.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 30/12/2023 20:23

I have the same at my practice. I can occasionally get an appointment if I need it but that’s by sheer luck.

In your position, I would contact the practice manager by email explaining the problems you have trying to get an appointment and can they offer you any advice for how to get one.

I would CC your MP as well.

CatamaranViper · 30/12/2023 20:24

Ours you can ring any time and you'll either get a phone app for later that week/early next week or a physical app for a few weeks time. Call on the day for 8am for an emergency app and you get one that day. It's much more difficult now than it was pre COVID but no where near as bad as yours OP. Change drs

Dogknowsbest · 30/12/2023 20:26

Something I learnt recently was to call in the afternoon and have a conversation with the receptionist then.

Don't minimise it and tell her you're worried about what it might be (you don't know it's not something to worry about). If it's causing any discomfort make sure you tell her.

IIdentifyAsInnocent · 30/12/2023 20:27

Do you use the NHS app? All surgeries have econsult on there as far as I know. It may only be open for 2 hours a day but worth a try

Danceswithweasels · 30/12/2023 20:27

I swapped GP Surgery because of an issue similar to this, could you do this?Most surgery websites have a postcode checker so you can see if you come under their "catchment area" use Healthwatch to read the reviews and also look at the CQC report. I went from a surgery with a ratio of 10000 patients to 1 GP to one with a ratio of 2000 to 1, huge difference.

celebrityskin · 30/12/2023 20:33

Google xiphisternum

whiteshutters · 30/12/2023 20:38

We are unable to book appointments online as there are never any available on the site . There is seemingly a woman whose job it is to put up the next week online on a Wed "if she has time" (Their words) If you want an on the day emergency appointment you have to call at 8am and hope you can get through. If you want to make an appointment you have to get added to a "waiting list" with the reason and you may get offered one in a couple of weeks. They are now obliged to tell you of the alternatives - acute unit, A and E etc. This is why these places are swamped.

Neverpostagain · 30/12/2023 20:45

We had this and this is what you need to do...
Everyone in your household (so three of us) start speed dialing the number at 7:50. Repeat repeat repeat. Obviously it will be constantly engaged, but sometimes someone will strike lucky. We also brought in up to there neighbours, so six of us dialling. Whoever gets through passes their phone to the person who needs the appointment.
Clearly this is ridiculous, but we always got through within a few days. If feel very sorry for single elderly people actually dialling the number long hand they will not get through ever.

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 30/12/2023 20:53

Go via 111 - if they think you need to see a GP they will make an appointment, although it might not be at your own practice.