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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Call waiting times?

18 replies

SassehMonsta · 28/07/2014 08:38

AIBU to think its ridiculous that to get a Drs appointment this morning (or rather, a call back later to give me a possible appointment) I've had to sit in a phone queue for 35 mins so far?

How long do you have to wait on average (with a ring ring noise, or even background music) to get a simple Drs appointment?

OP posts:
MagratsHair · 28/07/2014 08:42

I start phoning at about 8:30 when the surgery opens & get a recorded message saying that the surgery isn't open yet. I keep hitting redial until it finally opens then the line is engaged. Keep hitting redial until the line is clear, wait for about 5 minutes to be told that all appointments for the day have gone & I can't see a doctor.

MorphineDreams · 28/07/2014 08:44

I had to ring 106 times once to get through. It's a joke.

SpottyTeacakes · 28/07/2014 08:44

Where I work when it's really busy we have patients waiting that long. Usually it's 10-20 minutes. That's with four of us on the phones and ten phone lines.

The trouble is you get certain people phoning first thing that could wait until later in the day, things that can take a little while to sort out, whereas a simply appt booking only takes one minute.

MorphineDreams · 28/07/2014 08:44

And you can't even hold!

SpottyTeacakes · 28/07/2014 08:45

With my own surgery I can wait up to twenty minutes but I've never failed to get a same day appt

MorphineDreams · 28/07/2014 08:46

Same day appointment? Never even heard of one of those Wink we can only book for the following day. If there's no appointments left you have to go through the whole process again. It's a nightmare.

ladygracie · 28/07/2014 08:48

For my appointments I book online but for the kids I have to phone. Sometimes it can take a while to get through. Usually same day but not always.

YoniMitchell · 28/07/2014 08:50

I have to say I've never had a problem getting a same day appointment at our GPs. It can take a few goes to get through on the phone first thing, but even if you call when the lines reopen after lunch you can often still get an appointment later that day.

The receptionists there are also lovely, polite and helpful.

I must live in a parallel universe!

Original poster
SassehMonsta · 28/07/2014 08:50

usually its 10-15 mins once you get through (after it tells you the lines busy a few times, took 15 attempts this morning, starting 8am). First 7 mins you have a man telling you that your call is important and to hold the line, but he gives up prettty soon.

I wouldn't mind, but I really need an appointment today or tomorrow! Got a chest infection,ontop of a lung disease, and 20weeks pregnant. I might give up soon and call my consultant at the hospital, see what she says! (probably call my GP....).

#grumpy

OP posts:
SpottyTeacakes · 28/07/2014 08:52

Sass you should be given an emergency appt for that

londonrach · 28/07/2014 08:55

When I ring our surgery you either get a busy tone or it gets answered. I get an appt that day when I phoned both times. Mind you I told lady who answered phone the problem each time. First time she ordered me to bring dh down now. (Woke up in pool of blood and a jaw double the size of what it should be) He was seen and on two lots of abs by 10.30 am and signed off work for a week. (He went back after 2 days..stupid man....but abs worked and problem solved) if a problem could you go down to the surgery.

londonrach · 28/07/2014 08:56

Sass if no gp appt ring your consultant. Shocked you can't get an appt.

Original poster
SassehMonsta · 28/07/2014 08:58

Hopefully Spotty, but have to get through first!!! >_<

55 mins so far. Could have been at work by now, but no, still home, waiting on this stupid phonecall. Some days I just give up!!!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/07/2014 09:00

Now waiting on the phone here but it'll be about 2 weeks before seeing the doctor you want a week for any doctor.

gamerchick · 28/07/2014 09:01

*no

Hope you get through soon OP..you must be frustrated :(

NellyTheEfalump · 28/07/2014 10:31

Can never get through to my doctors first thing so I book online for the same day. I do wonder if there's ever any appointments left for those calling in as I can't be the only one who does this!

Original poster
SassehMonsta · 28/07/2014 10:33

Drove in, with my mobile still calling them, got in there & it was nice a peaceful. Seems my calls both got "lost" in the phone system, as the receptionist said she had no calls on her phone (despite my phone calling them!)

Really annoyed! And still have to wait for a call back!

OP posts:
Teddybeau1988 · 28/07/2014 10:46

I have given up trying to get appointments. I now use a walk in GP led centre that's open weekends. Its a take a ticket and wait got your number to be called system, and they treat babies under 12months. You don't have to be registered and the longest wait we've had is 40mins.

At my surgery you can queue on the phone line for up to an hour, and then be told to expect a call back from dr late afternoon. If you miss the call your buggered, and have to start the whole process again the next day.

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