in being a bit peeved by my doctors surgery?

[LifeIsButtercream]

I called this morning at 8:30am as required to fight for try and make an appointment for today (the only way you can is to call at 8:30am, if you try and make a regular appointment it's usually 1-2 weeks away).

I got through on the 3rd ring (first 2 engaged) at exactly 8:31am, to be told that all the morning appointments were taken, I asked for a 'turn-up-and-wait-on-the-off-chance appointment, and was asked if it was a "medical emergency" - I was tempted to say "no, if it was I would have dialed 999 rather than my GP" (didn't btw) - I just replied that I'd rather have it considered today rather than in a weeks time (good job, as it turns out I have a nasty infection that needs heavy-duty antibiotics, although you wouldn't know it to look at me!)

I was told to come at 10am and wait, which I did and I was the only one there - very busy obviously!

Disclaimer - obviously I think people with urgent medical issues should be seen asap rather than things that could be dealt with at a later date, but what bothers me is:

• the practice has 5 full-time GP's, all of whom were in surgery this morning for daily appointments (they only do other scheduled appointments in the afternoon) - so how on earth could they all have been fully booked all morning in one minute flat by one receptionist?

• did she really have to make me clarify three times that it was a 'medical emergency' - not even sure what that entails! If I wasn't so stubborn confident I'd be at home now with a date for next week and a raging temperature, doing as I was told........

Sorry rant over! can I please put it down to feeling awful?

But receptionists need info to beable to give you an appt with best person available
May be that you could be seen by nurse instead of doctor saving the drs appt for someone who really needs it.
There has got to be some sort of sifting /triage system and I am sure the receptionists have training before they're let loose.

My Gps are dreadful for this .

Ds3 has seen the Dr 4 times in 9 years purely bcos we can never get an appointment.

A few weeks ago I rang at 7.57am to be sure I was first in line ......obviously I got automated so I redialled and luckily dead on 8am the phone was answered ......then you have to press button 1 if you are a patient press button 2 if you want dr xxxx button 3 for xxxx button 4 for xxxx button 5 if you are dying etc etc anyway I GOT THROUGH to be told .......all appointments were gone how could this be? I asked do you know what the receptionist told me? ........TO GET OUT OF BED EARLIER IF I WANTED TO SEE THE GP!!!

Our GP's boil my blood! we have 2 docs to choose from, one being the top one who knows his stuff & the other who don't know her arse from her elbow is ever so slightly misguided, an OOH surgery put in an official complaint over handling of dd when she got rushed there. I got told once when ringing up for an app with the good doc that he was booked up all week & not a chance of getting in for at least a week, my mum got in with the same doc on the same night!

No ggirl, on order for the receptionist to know whether or not it is necessary for you to be seen, she either needs to be you, or needs to ask pretty comprehensive questions and have the training to back them up. Even a doctor/trained nurse can sometimes find it difficult to decide these things on the telephone.

My old GP in London required you not only to say what was wrong with you on the phone, you then had to tell the receptionist again when you go there! Lovely discussing your personal matters in front of the audience in the waiting room! I never saw the same doctor twice either!

Its one of the things I miss least about the UK. Never been so happy to pay $40 for a half hour appointment!