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

[MintyChapstick]

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?

The mistake here is that people are comparing depression and cancer. Both are absolutely deadly at their worst. But (as I said in my earlier post), trying to put the two on the same level completely misses the point.

I also think that it also produces a who-suffers-more competition. None of this is helpful.

Cancer is comparable I'm afraid. It is comparable because it is potentially lethal.

'Cancer is comparable I'm afraid.'

No, no it really isn't, I'm afraid.

'It is comparable because it is potentially lethal.'

So it an ingrown toenail in certain people, as pointed out.

If you are in crisis you should defiantly go to A&E. My mental health care team have repeatedly told me if things are bad I have a right to go A&E.

It must have taken courage to make the phone call today. Take that courage and use it to go to A&E. A crisis point in mental health is just as important a broken bone

An ingrown toenail was something mentioned by the OP in a very distressed state without thinking fully about the potentially catastrophic effects of an ingrown toenail. *sigh

Yes, yes, yes, depression is as lethal as cancer. Deaths from suicide are significant. Research is being conducted into cancer treatment constantly (drug companies profit). No such research is being conducted into drugs for depression.

Treatable mental health disorders are still killing people. Why is that?

Treatable mental health disorders are still killing people. Why is that?

Treatable cancers are killing people. Why is that?

This could go back and forth forever.

OP Mondays are about twice as busy as other days. I'm sure you'll be able to get an appointment today.

OP Mondays are about twice as busy as other days. I'm sure you'll be able to get an appointment today.

RTFT. The OP went yesterday

No one is bullying you - simply sticking up for the others you were morning about.

Had you backed down and said you were in the wrong and just frustrated and stressed you might have got a different attitude - but you haven't. Just justified your comments with stress and then carried on.

I would rather see elderly attend for ingrown toe nails - rather than wait until they are so badly infected they need days and days of IV antibiotics or a major op.

Elderly likely attend "for a chat" cos they are depressed - huge problem in the elderly, except they wont call it that. It will continue happening so long as funding is taken away from every group in society.

OP yanbu - but just to set the record straight - the elderly (and I should know as I am 70) - do not get priority in appointments (children do I believe)
If I want an appointment at my GP I have to book like everyone else and I would only go for serious illnesses and certainly not for bunions or 'to have a chat'.
FWIW I always take any daytime appointment leaving the evening appointments for those who cannot attend during the day.

I just read the full thread and saw no "bullying" going on, I saw people taking strong exception to some comments you had made, you need to deal with that kind of thing on AIBU!

OP I hope you have a better day today and that the doctor was helpful yesterday.

Cancer is a terrible disease but when it is present the stops are pulled out. I had a scare last year and was seen at a one stop diagnostic clinic within two weeks - no point even going private.

DD has recently been mentally unwell and there was minimal support even though she was escalating. GPs won't even recommend a private therapist or psychiatrist if they are teenagers. I found a private psych through friends. DD is now much recovered. Good job I had £2000 plus to spend on her care which took three months to procure.

Cancer and MH are definitely not the same yet both kill. Did you hear that KILL.

That may be why a,belated £1 billion has been pumped into the system and not too soon.

Cancer and MH are definitely not the same yet both kill. Did you hear that KILL.

Can't actually see anyone denying that tbf.

You may also want to see pp that all stops are not necessarily pulled out for cancer sufferer either.

*MintyChapstick Mon 15-Feb-16 17:26:06

Oh I agree that elderly people can get depression and anxiety. But people just popping into the surgery for a chat because they are lonely is unacceptable, that's notwhat they are there for. They are there to treat sick people. *

How on earth do you know what the elderly person is in the GP surgery for?? Its the presumptions you are making that have caused people to disagree with you.

My elderly DH has a GP appointment on Thursday morning and its because the GP wants to see him for a medication revue, no doubt someone ringing up on Thursday morning wont get an appointment because my DH has taken one, but its not his fault, he already has had to wait 2 weeks for this appointment including having to get an emergency prescription of a medication he is NOT allowed to stop taking without GP involvement, but the GP will not give him a repeat prescription for the drugs he is taking for his diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problem until he has this revue.

Sorry he is taking up an appointment that a sick person might need, but its Doctor orders

agree with oldsu - repeat prescriptions can be held up until blood test/review is made which necessitates a GPs appointment (and not just for the elderly either)

Our surgery runs the same system as yours my mum booked an advanced appointment for my dad who was unwell (nearly 70 so maybe just going for a chat?!) which took a couple of weeks. The Dr ordered some blood tests, the following week he got an appointment with relatively little difficulty because the blood test results were concerning, the Dr then sent him to A&E, who sent him home and said they'd get a scan booked. No scan appointment and increased pain another week later mum tries and fails to get an emergency appointment a couple of days in a row, eventually takes him to A&E again. This time admitted and scanned. Advanced bowel and liver cancer.
He should have had a biopsy at the end of last week but all the 'emergency appointments' this time at the hospital were full, getting it today. Only after than can they start chemo only given the rate he's deteriorating at, by the time they have had the pathology results he may be too unwell to start it.
Cancer doesn't magically get better treatment in our experience.
I've suffered depression on and off for 10 years, I now know the signs well enough that I can book an appointment a couple of weeks ahead of when I need it.
Personally I think dad would have been much more deserving of one of those bloody emergency appointments.

I feel much better today, very chilled actually. I slept pretty well and have woke up feeling alert and refreshed which I haven't in a while.

So glad to hear that Minty and despite some of the comments here I believe everyone on this thread is also pleased for you

Sorry to hear all the sad stories on this thread, especially Boleh.

Please can we think collectively and treat each other decently on this issue. I can't believe the level of acceptance of the scarcity of appointments; which seems to lead to a sense that any difficulties are the patients' fault (either patients who aren't quick enough or strategic enough or far sighted enough or nimble enough to get the few appointments going; or OTHER patients who are unfairly perceived to have taken MY appointment... the issue - or let's be clear, the problem - is that there are not enough appointments.

Please everyone stop touting perky "solutions" like "you can book online!" "you can turn up 40 minutes before they open!" because these "solutions" might help a particular individual, but in the long term they are no use to the ones who keep finding themselves at the bottom of the pile. who are the vulnerable and ill; who are surely by definition those who need care.

Seriously. It should not be such a gamble whether or not you get to see the first entry point to medical care. This is appalling and frankly, I find the level of acceptance appalling too. How did we sleepwalk into this?

I have never had a problem getting a GP appointment. Maybe because I live rurally but I do not see crowds of old people waiting outside.
I would like to take an opportunity to thank my GP for his help with my MH issues. Also his care after the death of my toddler.

I'm shocked at some of the rampant ageism here

I'm shocked at some of the rampant ageism here

So am I

If you want an immediate appointment with your dentist, use the magic words "I am in pain". A slot will appear.

I can offer an anecdote where a letter describing desparate depression (but well short of an immediate suicide threat) was handed in at the surgery, the doctor returned a phone call within a couple of hours saying "come in now", medication was prescribed immediately. I can't guarantee you'll get this sort of service, but it's worth a try.

I should warn you, the medication isn't magic, and isn't immediate acting. Some studies suggest the most popular anti-depressents don't actually have any effect at all - it's just the psychological effect of feeling you've actually "done something about it".

Love and sympathy.

Also shocked at the ageism, not just here but in the media as well.

Can count on one hand the times my parents visited the doctors before they were 70ish. They carried on and worked through anything. The vast majority of their friends were the same. They were fit, healthy and vital, just like most of us on here consider ourselves to be. They are now in their late 70's and are regular visitors. They have multiple conditions which need regular monitoring to prevent them becoming imminently life threatening. They look ok for their age and generally go alone to the surgery. They may well look like they are there for a 'chat'.

What has really shocked me is what an incredibly frightening time this is for them. They would rather be anywhere than in the doctor's waiting room. Several of their friends have died very suddenly when seemingly well and they are now older than all of their parents. And to top it all off they are now apparently to be completely dismissed.

By the way they get no priority for appointments whatsoever and so maybe, just maybe, if they are at the doctor's surgery they need to see a doctor.

Boleh