No GP appointments what would you do?

[katystar]

So DS13 has grown loads recently and is obviously in the teenage state of needing more sleep which I know and understand.

The problem is he is in bed at 9pm fast off sleeps till 7:30 when I walk him with lots of difficulty and then comes home from school at 3:30 and sleeps until dinner at 7 and is barely awake for dinner and shower. He isn’t wanting to play on the ps5 or his phone as he’s to tired and also isn’t watching YouTube or tv. He has no energy for football which he does 3 times a week he eats well I’ve been giving him vit c tablets as he has had constant colds since September. School have also called last week about his lack of energy which at a big high school must be noticeable.
I’ve tried to get a gp appointment as I just feel something is off but the receptionist told me he would not be getting one and it’s just his age and I should be pleased all he wants to do is sleep and not be out on the streets vaping. I’ve tried 3 times and keep getting told no do I leave it or keep trying? Is it just an age thing and a big growth spurt?

Keep trying. I would think the gp would prob want to do at least blood tests to check his thyroid, iron, blood sugar etc to see if there’s any underlying cause. 💐

If the receptionist really did say that then I would be putting in a complaint to the Practice Manager and insisting upon an urgent appointment.

Yes, chances are it's just him growing but there are more sinister things it could be and it's necessary to see a doctor to have them ruled out.

Glandular fever? My son got this at about 15 - it is very much a teenage thing. I have never seen a kid so exhausted and unable to function. It took him weeks to recover. But if your child is as poorly as he sounds, he needs a medical assessment.
That receptionist is a disgrace and I think you should write an actual letter to the practice manager, stating everything you have written in your post.
Receptionists should not be diagnosing patients over the phone.

I have just done an online consult to my GP today. They sent a message saying someone will call me tomorrow about a video consult.
Does your surgery offer e-consults?

He needs blood tests. Write to the practice manager and explain you’ve been fobbed off by the receptionist when clearly something is wrong. Low b12 can do this to someone but do not take b12 tablets as they can give misleading blood test results and mask the need for b12 injections

Report the receptionist to their Trust.
Call again and get that appointment. Say the school has even asked about it.
I am not sure if the school nurse can actually refer you.
If they do not give you an appointment, call 111 and take him to the walk in GP, or whatever they suggest.
That many hours of sleep is definitively not normal. He sounds like he is low on something, like iron/ B12, vit D, or other.

Thank you I just can’t get past reception and they make me feel like I’m being really unreasonable. He just hasn’t been his self and I just feel something is off especially with his lack of enthusiasm for everything including screens…which as we all know is most teenage boys life.

Ive spoke to him about if he’s worried or upset about anything and he just says he’s just really tired all the time.

Well first I’d ask the receptionist which medical school they went to!

phone again and insist your ds needs an appointment. Do not be fobbed off.

I'd go into the surgery in person, hand the letter in person to Practice Manager and refuse to move until they give you an appointment.

I honestly don't understand how practices can operate like this. I called our surgery last week to make an appointment for 15 yo DS for a non-urgent condition and we were given a next day appointment.

I will email the practice manager I know this but you sometimes second guess yourself and wonder if it is just normal.

Honestly the vaping comment really shocked me. I just needed a second view point of if I was losing the plot!

I wish we had econsults it would be easier.

That definitely doesn't sound normal!! Keep pushing and yes complain to practice manager. Or I'd probably go as far as inventing / exaggerating some symptoms - whatever it took to get to see an actual HCP

Keep trying- please insist he is seen.
emphasise school also raising concern as well as big change at homd

When I couldn't get a GP appointment for my DD, I rang 111. They were really helpful and said they would send an appointment request to my GP. My surgery then gave my DD an appointment for that afternoon. It might be worth a try, good luck.

I'm a GP and would want to see home and do blood tests. Keep trying. It's wrong of the receptionist to say that to you. Ther have no clinical training. Unfortunately due to the dire funding of GP now it's getting impossible to meet demand. But someone like you son should be seen. Try e-consult, call first thing, say you've spoken to a GP friend who has advised that he needs to be seen

The receptionist has stepped out of her lane. The next time she does it could have serious consequences for someone. She definitely needs to be reported.

Complain to the practice manager. Reception aren’t medically trained

i will call again tomorrow at 8am and email tonight. I get being on the phone is hard and they have to weed out the appointments so to speak but even when I asked for a future appointment I was told I don’t meet the criteria. I think I will ask what medical school they went to tomorrow!

I’d ask the receptionist what qualifications she had to be able to triage you over the phone. Then I’d be asking to speak to someone who is more senior.

Definitely contact the practice manager and I’d also be considering PALS and/or my local MP.

I feel guilty as it’s been going on for a few months but I’ve put it down to growing, rubbish weather and he’s always been an outdoor 24/7 child and just growing up.

Bloody hell. This is why I don’t want to move house. I am with a GP who doesn’t let the reception ask what’s wrong, he says he trusts his patients to see him if they need to.

I cannot believe a drs receptionist said that to you. I’d be kicking up a stink and complaining.

It’s posts like these that I actually thank God for my decent GP surgery. I would go in there in person if you can and demand an appointment with a qualified doctor not a receptionist. I would go as far as to make a complaint to the practice manager as well, this kind of thing is actually dangerous. Nobody knows if your son is ill, just because he is young should not mean he is fobbed off. There are a number of things this could be, and he needs to have a blood test at the very least. Get your tin hat on and read them the riot act!

I would put a complaint in about the receptionist. Ours say they record calls, so they might be able to listen to it back.
I would emphasise that the school wish him also to see the GP (that way with an authority behind it, it might make them think twice seen as it’s been noted by the school he is tired). Take any other symptom he has and stress it - a bit pale, any bruises (even if they were done playing sport or something). Your son needs to be seen for peace of mind if nothing else.
There is no way it should be considered ‘normal’ for him to sleep that much. And the vaping stereotype comment - I have no words for that!

I used to work in a gp surgery. It’s not up to the receptionist to decide who can and can’t have an appointment. Yes, they may decide it’s not an urgent, that day appointment has its been ongoing, but they shouldn’t deny you an appointment.

My first thought reading your post was thyroid as low thyroid can make you tired. Other conditions that come to mind include low vitamin b12 , anaemia, diabetes (has he been drinking excessively? - fluids not alcohol), glandular fever, ME,

Thank you everyone I think I just needed some back up that I’m not overreacting. I will ring tomorrow and not stop until I get an appointment.