Can I make a formal complaint can’t get appointment

[Lovelybitofsquirrel3]

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.

'These people'. Nice.

OP, I do appreciate that depression and sleep issues can render you totally useless sometimes. However, the NHS is at breaking point. The booking system operates the way it does because it's the most efficient way for staff, managing with inadequate resources, to get people booked in easily. The onus is on you to adapt to their system, not the other way around.

Set multiple alarms, or if you have Alexa get them to blast loud music at a sufficient time. Ask family or friends to knock on your door. I have had depression, I appreciate it's hard. But a previous poster is correct about learned helplessness, it's easy to fall into a mindset of 'it's too hard, I can't do it'. Whereas finding small ways to take control can be empowering and really help build your confidence. Look at this as a small step to recovery.

You can call 111 for advice.

111 are not a booking service for GP appointments.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

Glad you think it's so hilarious to laugh at people who are struggling to cope. Let's just hope you never find yourself in OP's shoes, eh?

You’re missing the point that the people the most affected are also the most vulnerable.
Not ‘just’ people like the OP who are depressed with sleep problems (sorry @Lovelybitofsquirrel3 , that’s not how I actually think), it’s people with cancer, auto immune conditions etc etc…. Those who are SERIOUSLY ILL and need those appointments desperately. Much more than some lucky people who can get up for 8.00am and can get their appointments on the day.

The only people who are asking people like the OP to understand blablabla are those who are NOT ill or vulnerable with NO support to do all that work fir them.

It’s not acceptable to let people down like this. Because make no mistake, the system is the same if you’re dying of cancer. I’ve seen many people in that exact situation 😢😢😢

And ofc, that’s wo talking about the fact that you have no idea of the OP situation and the impact ‘just putting an alarm’ would have on her.

my sleep is a mess. Sometimes I go to bed at 5pm or something like that and other times I’m awake at lunchtime and go back to bed again hours later. I just feel so tired but am not doing enough to be that tired.
I can sleep through alarms, but even if I set one and get disturbed by it then I’ll feel even worse when I am awake and it creates a vicious cycle.
I managed to get a same day appointment after creating the thread as they asked me if my mental health is really bad and so I got an emergency appointment

You aren’t helping yourself. You won’t get better until you do.

That's good to hear, OP, and I hope you get the help you need. I also hope the idiocy in parts of this thread hasn't been too upsetting for you. People who come on to a thread like this with their oh-so-edgy emojis and no clue what they're talking about and treat it like entertainment aren't worth bothering about.

That's cute

They fucking don't, that's why they need help, the fact that you can't understand that is seriously concerning

Couldn't agree more! (fellow sleep phase disorder sufferer here)

Grown adults need to help themselves (especially those with children). It's about taking some responsibility for themselves. No one owes OP anything. She needs to do better.

The fact you can't understand that is seriously concerning.

If you need to be seen that urgent set your alarm, wake up and make the call. You can literally do it lying in your bed. You can’t make a complaint when part of the problem is that u are unwilling to be awake at 8am !!

So many people have given her this advice about trying to help herself (and in turn her dc). However, she has just been responding rather aggressively, as have some other posters.

I'm not really sure what the motivation was for her post and what kind of advice she (and the angry posters) are hoping for....🤔🤔🤔

@Roundandback symptom or not she’s choosing not to even try. But instead to blame the surgery.

This idea that "if you really want to wake up you will do" is so damaging as it completely ignores the hugely damaging symptoms and consequences of depression and other mental health illnesses.

It's akin to "buck up" and go for a walk..... depression is a debilating illness and there should be systems in place which are accessible to all patients.

No it isn’t. I had such severe depression I gave up work. I’ve been there. But to not even try and get up once to make an appointment and then blame the GP is ridiculous. You have to at least try and engage with the system.