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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fuming that I can't get a GP's appointment this morning?

312 replies

MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:26

I'm so angry and upset.

Since before Christmas I have felt that my mental health has been declining. Feeling panicky, wired, on edge and its now got to the point where I am no longer sleeping properly. Keeping waking up very early even on the weekend, with this overwhelming feeling of doom and terrior. I have been medicated before, I know this will make me feel better but I cant get a fucking GP'sappointment, they only have one doctor in the surgery you see despite covering a massive area and you can longer book an appointment in advance.

There is no drop in service like there is in other surgeries, you have to ring on the morning and get an appointment like that. I rang at 8.30 on the dot the surgery was still closed, a minute later I tried again engaged, I finally managed to get through at 8.36 and all the appointments had gone. How is it possible for every single appointment between 9am and 1pm when they close for lunch to have gone in six minutes?

I had psyched myself up to see a doctor this morning, I could have started my medication today and it would have been in my system by next week when I go back to work. I know from the last time that it makes you worse before it makes you better. I've been in tears all morning, I need my medication! The receptionist was nice, but sort of non plussed, I guess it's not hear fault but I don't believe there are no appointments. In fact I can just picture the fucking waiting room now, elderly people who are there several times a week with bunions and in growing toe nails (we all know the sort) clogging it up whilst people who are really unwel can't get seen.

How they fuck is this right?

OP posts:
DoreenLethal · 15/02/2016 10:28

Mint - I am sorry you are feeling like this.

Can you go there and just wait for someone to not turn up?

Can you ask them what your options are for seeing someone today as it is urgent?

Xmasbaby11 · 15/02/2016 10:29

That's really poor. Is there any chance you could change to a bigger surgery?

pinkyredrose · 15/02/2016 10:29

Ask for an emergency appt. All surgeries have them, they owe you a duty of care!

Sighing · 15/02/2016 10:29

Can you go to the surgery and ask to be seen (camp out with a book)?
Or call back, ask to speak to the practice manager about the lack of appointments / how to deal with a prescription request etc.

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:31

All the appointments will be gone, you are not being lied to.

Lots of surgeries work like this now, and it is bloody difficult to get an appointment. Are there any telephone consultations available ?

pinkyredrose · 15/02/2016 10:31

Also a lot of appts are made online, I always make mine online on my surgeries Web page, you need to be assigned log in details at the surgery but that could be how they've all gone.

originalusernamefail · 15/02/2016 10:31

Can they offer you a telephone appointment or do you need a physical examination. My surgery offers these when the normal slots are taken.

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:33

Please do not just turn up to the surgery and insist that you are seen. That is unfair on all the other people who have had just as much difficulty as you in getting an appt.

And you have no idea why they are there.

JacquesHammer · 15/02/2016 10:33

What AnyFucker said I'm afraid

It is beyond impossible to get an appt at my surgery unless you're elderly/a child.

I booked an appt online on 2nd February. The date? 29th February.

Ring up and ask for an emergency appt

Original poster
MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:35

I said it was urgent, but she said there are no appointments left. It's a locum service and they only have one doctor, the original doctor who was our family doctor and treated my parenrs and grandparents before me, retired and they couldn't find anyone to replace him. They offered me a nurses appointment tomorrow. But I don't want to se a nurse, a nurse couldn't prescribe what I need anyway.

The only alternative is to go and register with another surgery who have been recomdend to me in the past, but then I'd have to wait for my details to be transferred Etc.

OP posts:
astronomy · 15/02/2016 10:36

What about afternoon appointments ?

imwithspud · 15/02/2016 10:36

Does your surgery have an online booking system? If so I would recommend getting yourself signed up. I think a lot of appointments get filled this way.

Whataboutnodetox · 15/02/2016 10:37

Do you have a walk in clinic you could go to? Or ask for a telephone consultation?

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:38

Tbh, if you have been feeling like this since before Xmas, you should have made an appt before you got to the point of needing medication right now and at the point that you need it to kick in before next week

The GP surgery cannot anticipate your emergencies, I am afraid.

imwithspud · 15/02/2016 10:38

To be honest, it sounds like registering at a new surgery would be your best bet. Yes it may take a short while for your details to be transferred but it will still probably be quicker than trying to get an appointment at your current one.

Itsalwayssunny · 15/02/2016 10:38

If its a nurse practioner they have the same ability to prescribe/sign off etc as GP so may be worth getting an appointment with them if you can't get a GP appt. Our surgery is the same so I almost always end up seeing an NP now.

Original poster
MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:38

But I said it was an emmergency and they still wouldn't give me one.

Why are elderly people more important than younger people? Genuine question. Everyone should be treated the same, it's not ducking fair is it?

We don't have an online booking service either.

OP posts:
Muskateersmummy · 15/02/2016 10:39

Call back, ask for a telephone appointment with the doctor, tell them exactly what's happening. The doctor can then slot you in, if they feel it is necessary.

Sending you love and strength

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:40

If it is a true emergency, the GP surgery is not the most appropriate place anyway.

And tbh, I agree that the very elderly and the very young should take priority in an imperfect system.

Fancymarmite · 15/02/2016 10:41

Could you go to your nearest walk-in centre with details of which meds you were prescribed before?

Original poster
MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:44

So you think I should to my already overstretched to bursting local A&E and sit there for about eight hours do you, Any Fucker? I'm sure that would go down well. That's excactly why the NHS is fucked, people wasting their time.

OP posts:
StitchesInTime · 15/02/2016 10:44

If you saw the nurse practitioner, would s/he be able to get you a doctor's appointment quickly if s/he felt it was urgent and something s/he was unqualified to deal with?

Original poster
MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:45

There are no walk im centres around here, I'm afraid.

OP posts:
JennyOnAPlate · 15/02/2016 10:46

Phone back and take the appointment with the nurse. She may not be able to prescribe for you but she can get the Doctor to do it.

Muskateersmummy · 15/02/2016 10:46

Agree take the nurses appointment, if your condition is bad she will get the doctor in to see you.