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Can I make a formal complaint can’t get appointment

168 replies

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 10:44

I have diagnosed depression and my sleep is effected. and ironically I have been trying to get medication for my anxiety and depression so that I can improve my life but appointments are months away and they tell me to phone at 8am but I can’t because I’m not awake. I tried emailing to book one instead but they tell me that they can’t.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 31/01/2025 17:05

SomethingStinky · 31/01/2025 17:01

This situation is hugely concerning

From this and previous posts it seems that:

  • you are the only adult in the household
  • you have the care of a 6-year-old child
  • you are unable to be awake at 8:00 a.m. even with the assistance of alarms. It is unclear whether your child would be able to wake you in the case of an emergency, or whether you would wake to a fire alarm
  • you are unable to leave the house to even go to the shop. It's unlikely therefore that your child is getting much in the way of socialisation with other children their age.
  • from your other threads, you have multiple severe mental health difficulties, which have resulted in police involvement on multiple occasions, did you have a history of making bad decisions (like committing revenge porn on your ex). You have social services involvement.

Whilst I'm sure you are doing your best for your little one, I'm very concerned for their safety, their emotional well-being as much as their physical health.

If this is all true OP then I really hope you and your household is being supported by social services. If not please reach out for help.

Boomer55 · 31/01/2025 17:05

Either set your alarm, get up and make an appointment, or forget it. No one is going to listen to a complaint if you’ve made no effort. 🤷‍♀️

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:07

SomethingStinky · 31/01/2025 17:01

This situation is hugely concerning

From this and previous posts it seems that:

  • you are the only adult in the household
  • you have the care of a 6-year-old child
  • you are unable to be awake at 8:00 a.m. even with the assistance of alarms. It is unclear whether your child would be able to wake you in the case of an emergency, or whether you would wake to a fire alarm
  • you are unable to leave the house to even go to the shop. It's unlikely therefore that your child is getting much in the way of socialisation with other children their age.
  • from your other threads, you have multiple severe mental health difficulties, which have resulted in police involvement on multiple occasions, did you have a history of making bad decisions (like committing revenge porn on your ex). You have social services involvement.

Whilst I'm sure you are doing your best for your little one, I'm very concerned for their safety, their emotional well-being as much as their physical health.

I won’t be responding to any more comments about my personal life after this. There is no need to worry because I am not their main carer and I get a lot of help. They don’t live here full time. I’m not concerned about their education and they’re not isolated they get taken to church etc. And obviously my social worker is aware of my full situation

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:10

just to make everyone aware, I phoned and got a same day appointment as an emergency since my mental health is so bad and have been prescribed medication. I’m so glad they were understanding as they weren’t the first few times I phoned.

OP posts:
Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:13

Now time for a name change

OP posts:
Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:16

And if you must know the relative that looks after them has a big house with a lot of rooms and a lot of space and they honestly seem to have a better life than a lot of children.

OP posts:
Roundandback · 31/01/2025 17:18

Boomer55 · 31/01/2025 17:05

Either set your alarm, get up and make an appointment, or forget it. No one is going to listen to a complaint if you’ve made no effort. 🤷‍♀️

Ah yes, I'm sure the OP hadn't thought about setting an alarm.....

Roundandback · 31/01/2025 17:18

Miaowzabella · 31/01/2025 17:05

It's a phone call, not a yomp across hostile territory! You don't even have to get out of bed to make the call.

But I suspect you do have to be awake.....

FrustratedandBemused · 31/01/2025 17:40

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:16

And if you must know the relative that looks after them has a big house with a lot of rooms and a lot of space and they honestly seem to have a better life than a lot of children.

That’s good to hear, and it will make your food budgeting for Feb easier if your child is being cared for elsewhere.
Glad you’ve got your appointment sorted.

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:45

FrustratedandBemused · 31/01/2025 17:40

That’s good to hear, and it will make your food budgeting for Feb easier if your child is being cared for elsewhere.
Glad you’ve got your appointment sorted.

Yeah it feels degrading to have to explain my full situation for every thread iyswim. I need to give them something while they’re here

OP posts:
abracadabra1980 · 31/01/2025 17:50

SpringBunnyHopHop · 31/01/2025 11:20

It’s 7am at my practice. I am awake by that time anyway but if I wasn’t I would damn well make sure I was before I tried to waste their time complaining about something that would be my own fault.

If you really needed an appointment you’d make sure you work up.

The OP is clearly depressed and suffering. This answer is not kind or helpful. You have clearly not been severely depressed before.

abracadabra1980 · 31/01/2025 17:51

LIZS · 31/01/2025 11:26

Ask for their vulnerable patients policy

This. Call them later in the day OP to discuss.

Lovelybitofsquirrel3 · 31/01/2025 17:53

I didn’t know a vulnerable patients policy was a thing. I’ll keep that in mind if I ever need to phone for anything else. It’s a recent thing that I have to phone at 8am as I used to be able to phone at any time apart from their lunch.

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 31/01/2025 18:09

DisforDarkChocolate · 31/01/2025 16:32

I book nearly all my gp appointments on the NHS. It's much easier.

NHS app. How did I miss the important bit out!

Beetrooty · 31/01/2025 18:11

Yes you can complain. Your gp shouldn't be inaccessible!

Whyherewego · 31/01/2025 18:11

Download the NHS app and see if your GP allows you to book appointments that way. Mine does.
Or else call 111 out of hours and they may be able to book it

Roundandback · 31/01/2025 18:12

abracadabra1980 · 31/01/2025 17:50

The OP is clearly depressed and suffering. This answer is not kind or helpful. You have clearly not been severely depressed before.

Completely agree - it is actually upsetting to see the lack of understanding re: mental health on this thread.

butterflysandrobins · 31/01/2025 18:24

Some people on here are fucking vile!!! Ignorance is bliss when you don't live with debilitating mental health!!
OP I'm so glad you got an appointment. I really hope you can get the help you deserve. Xx

Wolfiefan · 31/01/2025 18:36

I’ve had severe mental health issues. I’ve had to work hard to recover. The OP needs to try.

BodyKeepingScore · 31/01/2025 18:47

butterflysandrobins · 31/01/2025 18:24

Some people on here are fucking vile!!! Ignorance is bliss when you don't live with debilitating mental health!!
OP I'm so glad you got an appointment. I really hope you can get the help you deserve. Xx

I live with significant mental health issues. I spent three months last year in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit under section. Still think OP is being ridiculous:

JessiesJ99 · 31/01/2025 18:52

mashingwachine · 31/01/2025 13:54

I hate but absolutely hâte people answering like this who have no fucking idea that sometimes IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO RING AT 8,00AM.
Imean seriously, don’t you all think the OP would have done that a long time ago if she could?

There is no reason for OP not to be able to. I hate this 'can't do a fucking thing for myself' attitude. It is entirely possible for OP to contact the doctor at 8am, she chooses not to.

💯👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

JessiesJ99 · 31/01/2025 18:58

FrustratedandBemused · 31/01/2025 16:19

In the unlikely event that that was ever the case, I would set my alarm for 3am to make the appointment that was for my own benefit. Just like when I fly for work I often have to set my alarm for 3am to be at the airport for 4.30am.

Absolutely! How the hell do these people get through the day?!!
I can't even 🫣🙈🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Maddy70 · 31/01/2025 22:29

You have to set an alarm. You have responsibility to comply with their system even if it's shit

Roundandback · 01/02/2025 01:15

JessiesJ99 · 31/01/2025 18:58

Absolutely! How the hell do these people get through the day?!!
I can't even 🫣🙈🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I think the point is, evidenced by the fact OP recognises she needs treatment, that some people can't get through the day.

JessiesJ99 · 01/02/2025 06:48

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