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?

Insist. Demand to speak to the practice nurse if a doctor is not available. Take your son to the surgery and refuse to leave until he is seen by someone with medical training.

Ask for the receptionist's name and put in a formal written complaint about her behaviour to the local medical board. She does not have medical training and has no right to refuse you.

I'm really shocked that a GP receptionist would say this to you. Thoroughly shocked. They are not - usually - medically qualified to decide who is and isn't to be seen. I really hope you can get him seen op.

Yeah, this. Teenagers can sleep a lot, but not to the detriment of their social lives, usually.

Is there any way of doing an econsult on their website? Or booking a telephone call triage appointment with a nurse etc on the website? Or is it all via the receptionist?

I would ask for the receptionists name and job title and also who their manager is so you can make a formal complaint. They have triage process / set questions etc but don't get to decide who is ill or not.

No enconsult I wish we had one.

Join Simply Health and get on online video GP appointment

Do the online diagnostic on 111 and they will set up a GP appointment for you.

I was really poorly a few weeks ago and couldn't get into the call queue for my GP, never mind getting fobbed off by the receptionist.

I knew I needed to see someone so I called 111. They can actually book appointments with your GP within a timeframe a clinician feels appropriate from the telephone assessment. Do that.

Our doctors receptionist asks you what’s wrong but you can say it’s personal and I don’t want to say and they can’t force you! You shouldn’t have to but can you try saying that? If that fails I’d call 111 and also lodge a complaint

Ring 111 now and explain your GP has refused to see you, they may be able to get you into the urgent call back list.

Complain about that receptionist, that is disgraceful. They should be fired.

Seriously just make the symptoms sound more severe than they are. You shouldn't have to because what he is presenting is enough for an appoint if the receptionist is not being reasonable then you need to play the game.
He's sleeping. The school has been in touch as they are concerned about him. He's struggling with low moods. He is complaining of constant headaches and he has chest pains.

Once you have the appointment you just stick to the real symptoms and say the receptionist must be confused

Please don’t let this slide OP - the receptionist is categorically not in a position to triage (sure they can advise on urgency and whether it’s today or in a week, or discuss with a GP) but they absolutely cannot refuse to see your son based on their own triage. It is clinically unsafe practice and would is a reportable incident. My advice is call tomorrow, be prepared, cool and calm and explain that you are respectfully requesting that an appointment is allocated regardless of the receptionists advice. If they refuse, then immediately email their practice manager (email should be on the internet). If you have no reply within 24 hours then Google your local ICB and ask to speak to the team overseeing primary care to report your concern.

it’s probably nothing at all, brilliant if it’s just him growing. But that level of lethargy can also be really serious so please don’t leave it. If you have to, take him to your local UTC or ED.

We don't either, so annoying. Just tell them you know your child, this is out of character and he is not himself and needs assessing. Use the word "fatigued" instead of tired. Or "lethargic". They're more dramatic words and make people more worried.

Point blank refuse to tell the receptionist what it is for. Say it is urgent and confidential and he needs an appointment

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?

Please put in a written complaint to the practise manager. This person should not be a Dr's receptionist!

And when you ring tomorrow you are allowed to say it's personal and you don't want to give a reason.
I really hope you get your son seen by GP and he gets some tests soon.
Good luck

Does he have any other symptoms? Is he drinking more fluids? Weeing more? Losing weight? That receptionist should understand that she can't diagnose. Neither can I, but teens don't sleep that much.

I’m a GP and he needs to be seen and to have some blood tests.

The receptionist told you? Wow she cannot diagnose, that's ridiculous and absolutely not her job!

I would want to get his thyroid tested, OP, as well as any other general tests needed.

Think about how you word your concerns

Don't say he seems a bit tired - really emphatically state his exhaustion , you have to wake him to eat , how the school are concerned

And if the receptionist refuses again ask her to put her refusal to give an appointment in writing

I’m currently in a room with a GP (a friend, not an appointment at this time) and his thoughts are that he’d want to do basic observations and a blood tests.

He’s also expressed distain at the current system of having reception staff fobbing people off - apparently there was an incident recently where serious symptoms were missed and the patient became seriously ill with sepsis (at his practice).

Ring first thing and keep at them - good luck!

As others have said, the receptionist needs reporting. There are some people who really shouldn't be in that job (like one at my old surgery who said she wouldn't be making me an appointment to discuss a termination because she didn't agree with it!).

First stop practice manager and I would absolutely call 111 in the morning and tell them that your surgery has refused an appointment. This is truly outrageous. That amount of sleep and listlessness is a concern that absolutely must be investigated. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about but if it is, then they have failed in their duty of care. I hope you make some progress tomorrow and that things turn out to be ok

I would insist. Make it sound more urgent if needs be.

A receptionist should not be diagnosing?! That’s awful.
Id go down in person and ask to see the manager.