Doctors appointments, rare as hens teeth?

[melika]

Had to wait a week to see a doctor to get blood results. Had to wait a whole month to see a particular female doctor and have just booked her again and have to wait another month! My DH is suffering with joint pain and I tried to get an appointment yesterday and there was nothing left for weeks, I was told you have to ring at 8am today. So.....I did and couldn't get through until 8.15 and all the appointments had gone!

I am flabbergasted.

Receptionist said if he turns up between 8.30-9am
and 2.30-3.30 and says it is an emergency he can wait for a doctor.

So that is what he is going to do but it isn't an emergency! You have to lie to get seen. And...what is an emergency? If it was I would take him to A&E surely?

I picked this surgery after we had recently moved because it has ten doctors!!! What the hell is going on?

Thing is then slowcomputer the system could work more efficiently. I have thyroid disease. I have an annual blood test and have taken 100mcg of thyroxine for the last 22 years. Yet GPs nowadays insist I can only have 100 tablets at a time. Thyroxine is cheap, has a long shelf life and my condition is under control and has been for years. To write four prescriptions a year and the associated admin is ridiculous. If my practice could produce a repeat and send it to the chemist fine - but it's incapable of that. Prescriptions either are not written, sent to the wrong place or kept at the doctors in spite of my written instructions. I just conclude the practice must have plenty of time to waste because they are certainly prepared to waste mine.

Ideal for me. Attend doctor's appointment - Dr writes prescription for 365 tablets and takes the blood too. I'd be in and out in five minutes. I get sent to the nurse or the HCA and because I have crap veins they usually have to get the dr to come in an help anyway. Funny that when they are supposed to be experts and the doctors usually hopeless at bloods. .

They system just doesn't seem to exist to meet the needs of the patients. Yet when I need an appointment, I can't get one, yet there is so much time to waste.

Respect my time and I'll respect yours.

We're only allowed to prescribe 28 days of any drug. It's all about money. Our hands are tied. I'm not sure why your pharmacy can't get the prescription, that's commonly done where I work.

But it is the fault of the doctors UncleT we all seem to forget that GPs are self employed and have rather more control over how their practices are run than other parts of the NHS. I don't recall hearing many GPs complain when 28 day practicing came in; the response to patients, me, was there's no point discussing it, it's political. Likewise the offers from the nurse to weight an measure me and screen me for conditions I might but probably don't have. I can weight and measure myself but I can't take my own blood and I need care for the chronic disease I do have but this is barely accessible.

If we are to continue to respect family doctors then they must ensure their services are set up efficiently and to meet our needs. At present this isn't happening, yet I fund the service. It just seems sad that GPs are happy to sit there whilst they are not prepared to influence or pressure to make anything better for their customers and I sense it's because it's the NHS and it' free and we should all be jolly grateful. I'm just not grateful for a service that doesn't meet my needs; I'm irritated and irritated a bit more every time I go and have to deal with a receptionist who could easily audition for a starring role in Prisoner Cell Block H.

People who say their time is being wasted and not respected - do you feel angry with the person at a supermarket check-out if there's a long queue and you have to wait? Do you feel they're disrespecting your time? Or do you think it's just a busy time of day?

Doctors surgeries being busy is nothing to do its respect, it's down to volume of work and overwhelming demand.

Nearthewindmill you know so little about general practice it's astounding.

And you aren't only allowed to prescribe for 28 days. I spoke to the PCT and made a formal complaint based on my personal circumstances and they confirmed decisions could be made on a case by case basis to suit the individual patient. I'm exempt from charges anyway so it makes no difference: 28 day prescribing simply wastes the doctor's time, the practices time, my time and the pharmacists time and that isn't right, it isn't efficient and it does not constitute holistic patient care.

My practice is incapable of sending the prescription to the correct chemist and I then spend time making phone calls. It is just dreadful. Well I don't anymore because because the Director of Pharmacy at my PCT set out the rules as they actually stand rather than as they are interpreted by too many GPs.

It would be more worth my while to pay 175 for a private GP consultation at my local hospital, collect a private prescription for about 6.50 (the cost of a year's supply of my drug) and deal with matters in one shot. My time has a value too and this is the problem the NHS places no value on or respect upon the time of the patient and that is why, I'm afraid, it needs to be entirely reformed.

Our practice is appalling. Often when we ring were just told "there are no appointments" and that's that.

Also I have had several slightly abnormal test results (eGFR 59, reduced glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, low vitamin d and a few other things picked up by urinalysis). The docs just shrug their shoulders and say everything is at the "low end of normal" instead of admitting that it ain't normal and referring me to a specialist. Until reading this thread I didn't realise they were under such pressure not to refer but now it all makes sense. It's really frightening and I don't know what I'm meant to do!

I used to think the system in the US was deplorable but at least there I would have health insurance paid by my employer and once you're in the US system the care is excellent. The problem is it isn't accessible to all.

Different areas have different rules, and PCTs no longer exist anyway.

So, if you get your 365 tablets of thyroxine, what happens if you feel unwell one day, and a blood test shows that your TFTs have changed, and the dose needs to be reduced. You're left with hundreds of useless tablets, thereby wasting NHS money (not your own of course, because you get them free). Just because you've been stable for years doesn't mean that won't change.

Anyway I'm hiding this thread now because as usual there are those who can't resist a bit of GP bashing, and given that I'm working a 13 hour day tomorrow I'm not in the mood for it.

Fwiw, I don't blame GPs for this situation, I blame government who has completely failed to adequately fund the NHS while at the same time using GPs as scapegoats.

I've just booked to see my GP who I see once a month for something ongoing.

Couldn't book last time when I left as they only do a month ahead and it was just over because of Easter.

Called today to make an apt for 2 weeks time - earliest I can get is 7th May.

We have umpteen doctors at our surgery but most of them work part-time. Factor in a couple of bank holidays and you're stuffed.

But it isn't simply funding, it's a total lack of imagination.

Our appointment system seems to assume only pensioners and families with one primary DC get ill.

No one actually has work, gcses or other siblings to get to school.

Everyone is either acutely ill (and off sick) or needs a routine appointment for a vaccination, smear or with the asthma nurse.

No one ever has anything that's worrying them, but doesn't warrent an emergency appointment.

No one ever has period problems, suspicious moles, bad ankles that still hurt etc.

Jolly phonics is right. 28 day prescribing was adopted because studies showed this to be the optimum level to improve standards of patient care and reduce waste.
Windymill Most practices now are adept at sending prescriptions to pharmacies. Many of our patients order online or drop the order in at their local pharmacy for the driver to bring in, we generate the form, driver picks it up, takes to pharmacy and job done. We rarely have a problem with it and have numerous pharmacy drivers in and out daily. Maybe speak to your pharmacy and ask them if they can co-ordinate it better

I agree there are some inefficiencies that surgeries need to address but there are some patient behaviours that can improve too, like making appointments for really trivial things and not turning up. It is getting harder for GPs and their staff to deliver the standard of service they and their patients want

I used to have a practice like the OP's. I moved abroad and now I see a GP whenever I need to see one, up until about 9pm (when I usually finish work). Yes it's private, but the government pays the premiums for people whose income falls below a certain level so nobody goes without. The main problem in UK primary care is that the money does not follow the patient. If the OP's GP was only paid by her insurer after a consultation I suspect they would whine less and work more.

Oldfarticus, I'm willing to bet that you pay for a single consultation, the £78 for which we have to look after a patient for a year. Or close to that. Yes, some practices do better than others (and, FWIW we don't stick to 28 day prescribing) but general practice is on its knees and the sooner demand is curtailed and finding is increased the better. But it won't happen.

Same as our doctor.
I arrive at reception and book in person, no chance of getting through on the phone.

But you have missed some salient points Jollyphonics. For starters my medicine costs pennies and it costs more in the time of multiple people to prescribe it every 28 days than to discard perhaps as many as 100 tablets; the tablets wouldn't be wasted because if my dose were reduced by 25mg I could halve my existing tablets with a pill cutter and a number of 25mcg tabs could be prescribed; my disease has been unchanged for 22 years; and lastly, with thyroid disease one doesn't usually feel ill one day and suddenly need a reduction in dose.

It isn't GP bashing, it's setting out an alternative viewpoint in the hope that the GPs on this thread might listen.

I understand how repeat prescriptions are supposed to work but if I ask my practice to keep the prescription there, I go to collect it and they can't find it or tell me it has been sent to Boots, Boots doesn't have it so I go back to the chemist and they say "oh, we might have sent it to Pearson's; we would if you didn't write Boots in the prescription". "No I said I'd collect it from here". "Well go and check Pearson's then". Go to Pearson's, not at Pearson's. Go back to GP and make dr's appointment. See Dr who confirms no evidence of a prescription being written. I must have done that about 3 times and there is frankly a limit to my patience and the amount of my personal time I am prepared to waste.

That was when I phoned the PCT (they did exist then of course).

I'm sorry but in my opinion the standard of service provided to the public is not presently good enough and it is not well enough organised and for that we are supposed to be grateful. I am awfully sorry if it offends, but I am not grateful for an inadequate service.

It just seems to be the luck of the draw!

Our practice is amazing and I'd defend them to the hilt. They have never not found me an appt, my GP is kind and funny and sensible and knows her stuff. Occasionally they screw up, but who doesn't?

It is a huge shame not everyone has such good experiences though, and it know I am very lucky my practice is so well organised and resourced.

The one thing I have to agree with the more negative posters on is the workload. Sorry but 50-70 hrs pw sounds totally normal for a professional if we wanted to debate the healthiness of a stressed out, long hours culture I'd be prepared to agree it is not great - but GPs are hardly unique - honestly, does anyone think barristers or senior civil servants are clocking off at 5.30?

Oh, and I started work at 9am this morning and got home about 15 minutes ago (only a five minute journey - I'm very lucky) but like many professionals those are the sorts of hours I work on a regular basis - it's light at the moment because of the holidays. Bearing in mind that those are the sorts of hours professional people work, I don't have time to muck about with unnecessary admin and/or visits relating to my health.

In the last two years - I've been to the doctor's four times for thyroid checks and HRT checks, I subcontract smears and mammograms to BUPA, the DC have probably been twice between them plus a paid travel vacc appointment. Therefore, when we need the odd appointment or prescription I expect to get it.

Can any of the GPs please explain the sense of offering nurse appointments to weight and measure when they cannot provide appointments when people are actually sick and actually need help. I have asked that several times now and it would be helpful if someone could answer the question.

It seems that patients can't win; they mustn't have anything trivial wrong with them but they can't have an appointment when they have something seriously wrong with them

I was informed by our Doctors receptionist that the NHS is not there to be at the convenience of its patients!

This was after trying to request an appointment with the Doctor - to be referred to the midwife - couldn't go straight to the midwife although the Doctor did nothing. I had even gone into the surgery to try and sort it.

Apparently my job does not come into the mix and the fact that a 11:50 appointment in the morning was not suitable I was being difficult. Given I was trying to keep my pregnancy (not an emergency) secret at work and work 45 mins away so would require me to miss potentially 3 hours of work I was not happy. I cannot make up my time later as I am a teacher!

I'm on repeat dispensing for my meds. The pharmacy get 6 months worth of slips and I just ring them when I want them to deliver. I go for a blood test/nurse consultation every six months and this generates another 6 months worth of slips.

The practice are great for on the day appointments, but rubbish for the 'come back and see me in two weeks' appointments as they don't open the book until 7 days before and when you ring the appointments tend to have gone. The vets are much better for this as the vet books you in there and then during the initial consult, no having to fend off the receptionist who looks at you sceptically when you tell her the doctor has asked you to make another appointment.

I would like all doctor's receptionists to be identifiable in some way so that they could be treated the way they treat those trying to book an appointment. I have even thought of pretending that I speak little English to try to scare them into being polite for fear of being accused of discrimination.

My surgery is amazing. They have five doctors and five nurses who work across two surgeries. You ring at 8am or 12pm for emergency appointments. You can book anything from three days to three weeks in advance, usually without an issue, of course if you want a specific doctor it could be longer. I rung my GPs last Tuesday at 10am in bits, spoke to reception who ran round seeing if the nurse or doctor could help. Doctor rung me at 12.15 to say come in under emergency. I got there at 1245 (childcare) and they're shut for lunch 12.30-1.30. He came off his lunch break to take swabs, do a consultation, write prescriptions. He then rung me from the other surgery yesterday a day earlier as he wanted me to have the results, and consulted me over the phone. I think they are brilliant and sure as hell won't be changing doctors if I can help it!

My doctors are generally very good - I can usually get a same day appointment or failing that one with the nurse (who diagnoses and prescribes) but then I am an infrequent visitor - once a year for a reoccurring prescription and then only if I am really ill. I was a bit dubious about the nurses at first, but after my last visit where the nurse took one look at me and then got the doctor before I was very quickly sent to the hospital and admitted, I have nothing but praise for them.

There are things that could be improved though. Mine operates a system where you have to call up at 8am - not only is that inconvenient when you are on your way to work, even if you are off ill you can often not get through and there is no call waiting system so you just get a engaged tone.

There are few appointments outside of working hours - I do think that GPs should be open till around 8pm to give those who work access or at least open one day a weekend.

Most of the nurses seem to be available only during the day, making it hard to book smears etc. which don't require a doctor.

I also think as a society more needs to be done about using the appropriate service at the right time. Reading some of the threads on Mumsnet - you've got people saying go to A&E for something chronic and non-urgent or because they want a second opinion or in one case because the doctor hadn't referred them to a specialist. There are others who seem to go to the GP with colds or simple D&V illnesses.

My doctors isn't great although I got an emergency appointment the day after I rang, I had a query about the antibiotics I had to take so rang to verify it, receptionist said the doctor would ring me back and answer the question, fast forward to 20 minutes later and doctor rang asking what the problem was and then was not happy with me saying have you not got my notes up - I didn't really want to say in a room full of men that the antibiotics I had been prescribed for an STI were not clearly labelled about when and how many I should take!!!

Another example, my mum is a carer for my terminally ill father but she also suffers from high blood pressure and has AF so really needs to be seen if she requests an appointment the last time she rang her doctor was available in 5 weeks, any doctor was available in 3 weeks and final choice the nurse was available 7 days later!!

The surgery runs a automated telephone booking system unfortunately all it seems to say is that there are no appointments available - that's me not caring who I see or when. Added to this that the surgery doesn't open until 8.30 and closes at 6 I'm not really sure who the doctors actually see as it certainly doesn't seem to be the working population!!!

Oh and I can't move elsewhere as I'm not in the catchment!!!

My theory is the bigger the practice, the harder it is to get an appointment. We are registered at a single doctor practice and always get appointments the same day for emergencies or within a day or two if not