Wanting a doctor's appointment

[cassie1051]

Been trying for a week to phone the doctors for a non-urgent appt but couldn't even get through to reception. So I pop in today and when I asked to book one they said 'there are no appointments'. I asked 'not even in 5 or 6 weeks time?' and they said no. So I asked how to see a doctor and they said I'd have to ring up every morning to see if there are any cancellations. I work in a team where there needs to be cover so days off must be booked advance so that's not gonna work.

Is this normal in other people's doctors surgeries?

Sometimes it is but it's still not on!
Unfortunately you have to cry and an appointment materialises. Whenever I've been really desperate and actually got upset over the phone it has done the job- I know we all try not to and I hate the idea, but it's the truth

Change to another surgery and complain. This is disgusting.

Bit confused - do they mean that all the non-urgent advance appointments within the next 5 - 6 weeks are gone, so you have to ring up for a cancelled non-urgent appointment that may be in advance - or does the GP surgery only offer same day appointments?

My GP surgery keeps a number of appointments back for urgent same day appointments, but there's also a number of appointments that patients can book in advance.

It's very frustrating I would put a complaint to the surgery.

Failing that change doctor surgery.

I think they meant that all the non-urgent appointments in the coming weeks are unavailable and I could only get a non-urgent appointment on the day if they have some cancellations. I'm baffled as to how I'm meant to see the doctor. I can't even lie and say it's urgent because all I need is another prescription of the pill. I'm thinking my only option is to use that Lloyds online pharmacy thing where you can get prescriptions of the pill posted to you but it costs about £35!

That's unusual to have 100% same day appointments, I don't know any practice that does that. If they do use that model then it's at least likely/guaranteed that you will get in that day. Agree it makes planning difficult though.

If you don't like it I would consider changing practice and checking their appointment system first.

for prescriptions most practices will do that for you over the phone/online without seeing a GP. Did you say what it was for?

Thanks for confirming this isn't normal! I've only been at this surgery after moving to the area a year ago, it's never been a problem before (though you usually have wait 7-10 days for an appointment).

I said it was for the pill but I have borderline high blood pressure so have to get it checked each time.

Google family planning clinics.

A lot easier but the waiting times can be long.

What a hassle. Waiting 1-2 weeks is normal now especially since increasing availability of same day appts (which is a demand led strategy) but having none at all is not usual or ok.

Could the nurse do your BP?

Family planning clinic will probably be better, I normally get a same day appointment there.

Thanks for the alternative ideas, I'll look up family planning clinics.

My local family planning won't give out the pill if your 'complex', they sent me back to my GP. Could you book in with the practice nurse for your blood pressure check and then get the pill via phone appointment with the GP?

Ours used to be like this. Now we have online booking for all appointments. It's changed my life!

I would also second getting the nurse to do your BP. I'm exactly the same, on the pill but borderline high BP, so have to have it checked every six months.

Can the treatment room nurse not help? Ours can do a prescription for contraception

Maybe you can use a family planning clinic. They often have one evening a week for drop-ins, too, for example. It's very frustrating.

Our GP system is not ideal but it works better than this. I've rarely waited more than a fortnight for a non-urgent apt - and that's also when I've specified a particular GP. If I took just anyone I think the wait for us would be shorter. Same-day slots are, I find, a nightmare. You have to phone on the dot of 8am, lines are usually full. It's nota very convenient time when you have needy children or have to get out the door to catch a bus or whatever. I reckon it suits elderly folk who have been up since 5 drinking tea. Though I have been seen by phoning one afternoon, GP phoned back to discuss and booked me in for the next day. So that was fine for a semi-urgent situation. My hearing is extra-BAD just now - ?infection - and the phoning to be triaged lark is not on for me. Lovely DH says he will phone for me tomorrow. I need to tell them the system is carp for a hearing impaired person. On a good day talking on the phone is not easy for me.

Online booking would be excellent for the hearing impaired. As long as you had online. Obvs I am.

If you can't get this sorted easily< OP, can you send a note to your usual GP. Explain you can't get an apt before you run out. I know sometimes our GPs can magic appts if you tell them there's a need. Maybe they can arrange for one of the nurses to check your BP.

Our GP is disorganised but you can book non urgent appointments within a week either by phone or online, not always the most convenient times but they are available.

I only ever see the nurse for my pill check up. I changed 4 surgeries in the past years and it's always been the same. I was once in a situation when I left it too late to get an appointment so they gave me a prescription for fewer pills than usual and booked my check up appointment for later. Unless they are incredibly unreasonable they will find a solution if you tell them you need the pill urgently.

Can't most people see their dr on the same day? What's the point of seeing A dr 4 days after you feel really rough? The hope that you'd be 'better' or already gone to a&e??

Wow. We must be v lucky then. I've almost always seen the dr the same day. Obviously for things like flu jabs etc that's different. We even had one time where my ds was v ill and had fallen asleep and I rang the receptionist. And speaking to the dr, she said 'oh just bring him in when he wakes' I did that and they buzzed me in!! They are a very busy practice but clearly quite organised.

At my GP surgery it is standard practice to ring up the morning you need an appointment and book a time slot for that day.

The lines open at 08.30 and by 08.45 thug appointments are usually all gone.

There are are pre-bookable appointments in the morning (between 8.30-9.00) but the waiting lists for these appointments are usually 3 weeks.

There is a system though where you can ring up between 2.00-2.30pm to see if there are any cancellations for the afternoon or evening appointments and if so you can book yourself in.

There is always a set doctor on each day who solely carries out home visits and phone consultations so that's really helpful too.

There are also two advanced nurse practitioners who can do about 75% of what the GP does and it's pretty easy to get an appointment with them if the GP slots are filled up.

I have on occasion needed an emergency appointment (one for my son and once when I was pregnant) and upon speaking to the receptionist and explaining (at any time of the day) they will either get me in somewhere (usually to see the doctor who is on phone consultation duties) or they will get a GP to phone me which always happens within about 30 minutes.

Regarding same day booking appointments, as far as I know all GP surgeries work this way. I used to cover the booking line at a GP surgery 8 years ago and this system was in place even back then.

Thankfully I've had no problem getting appointments though it is frustrating trying to book one on the morning and all you repeatedly get is the engages tone for about 10 minutes

Our GP seems to have a small amount of appointments ring fenced for the Patient Access app. Still takes a few days to get an appointment but it's often a hell of a lot quicker than trying through the phone or in person.
Find out if your surgery offers this. Details here

I see Patient Access is only in England.