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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:
museumum · 15/02/2016 10:47

Take the nurses appointment. She will get you a doc appt when she realises she can't prescribe what you need. Or she'll get you a doc to sign the prescription.

Lynnm63 · 15/02/2016 10:47

Im sorry for you op but unfortunately this is the real world nhs. Drs appointments are as rare as hens teeth. You sit by the phone on speed dial and by 08:36 you get through and there are no appointments left. If you're lucky you might get a telephone consultation.

FedoraTheExplora · 15/02/2016 10:47

I'm pretty sure you can still have an appointment at a different GP before your details are transferred. I had my 6 week check after birth when my new gp still hadnt received my records - though I know this is a different matter.

I second taking the nurses appointment. They can assess and then pop into a doctor giving their recommendations for medication - if you've had it before I think a doctor would be happy to take the nurses word for it and prescribe. Better than nothing.

Hope you get the help you need and start feeling better soonThanks

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:47

If you can't get a GP appt, you have no walk in centre, you won't see the nurse, you are not answering if there is the facility for telephone consultations and your need is an emergency...then yes, A+E it will have to be.

I am sympathetic and the system sucks but it sounds like you need to be seen by somebody.

thebiscuitindustry · 15/02/2016 10:49

Yes I was thinking the same. If you see the nurse she might be able to get you a doctor's appointment sooner.

severebackpain · 15/02/2016 10:49

This is normal nowadays.
There is a massive shortage of GPs.
Anyone who can retire is doing so, the rest are going abroad.
I need to get a follow up appt for DD but I think a telephone appointment is probably all I will be able to get.

Sorry you are in such a difficult position OP.

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:50

There are still some surgeries around that operate better than this.

For example, I called on Friday and have an appt for this afternoon. For the future, I would look to move your care.

RedToothBrush · 15/02/2016 10:52

Minty, have you tried to find the local mental health service? I know you can, in some circumstances, go straight to them and have an emergency appointment or at least speak to someone in an emergency.

Groovee · 15/02/2016 10:54

Could you ask for a phone consultation? We get one with a dr and they can give us an appointment if we need it.

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 15/02/2016 10:54

Take the nurses appointment

I know you're stressed but yabu to have waited so long until it's an emergency and yabu because you have no idea who the other patients are or why they're there.

Mistigri · 15/02/2016 10:55

I would take the nurse appointment, but if you are feeling really desperate you could go up to the surgery and offer to wait as long as it takes. Some practices get a lot of no-shows.

TheFridgePickersKnickers · 15/02/2016 10:55

If you register with a new surgery you do not have to wait for your notes to arrive before being seen. You'll just need to fill the new Dr in on any relevant med history in your appointment.

Notes can take months to transfer. You are entitled to see a Dr during the transfer period at your new surgery.
Be aware though some surgeries want you to have a medical with the nurse first or similar.

bakeoffcake · 15/02/2016 10:56

Please ring back and take the nurses appt tomorrow.

If the nurse thinks you need medication she can go and ask the Dr.

I actually think it's a very shit system where you can only make appt so for that day.

Xenadog · 15/02/2016 10:56

This happens to us. I ask for a telephone appointment and this usually results in being called in or having a prescription written for me. Sometimes I ask who I put my formal complaint to - and no I want better than the practice manager; their boss will do. There's no point complaining to the surgery you need to go beyond this if you genuinely need a doctor's appointment and can't get one.

At our surgery you can book up to 3 weeks in advance but those appointments go in seconds and you can't book further in advance than that. You are then left to the 8:00am call which is impossible to get through and appointments all go. It's an unsatisfactory system and like OP I get really cross.

RedToothBrush · 15/02/2016 10:57

Google 'mental health crisis team' in your area.

My local area says the service for assessment is available 24 / 7. You can get a referral from your GP or you can contact them directly via a phone number they provide.

It is for anyone with moderate to severe mental health issues.

I really hope that helps and there is similar provision in your area.

bakeoffcake · 15/02/2016 10:57

Yes you could go to the surgery and say you're going to wait and see if there's a no show or cancellation.

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:58

That's a good idea from RTB. Try that, OP.

boredofusername · 15/02/2016 10:58

If you don't have an online system the best way of getting an appointment is to go down in person when the surgery opens, that way you get in front of the people telephoning.

If you made a non-emergency appointment how long would you have to wait? For our surgery it's about 3 weeks. But I agree with the people saying see the nurse, she can either get you with the GP or get the GP to sign off any prescription you need.

I even had it with my dentist though - a filling dropped out and I panicked slightly as the hole felt HUGE. I phoned my dentist and they offered me an appointment in about a week's time. I was a bit nonplussed and said I had a huge hole so they told me to phone the following day for emergency appointments, but wouldn't make the appointment for the next day there and then. Fortunately I got one the following day with no drama but I was a bit surprised and wondered if they would have fitted me in if I had been in pain.

IceBeing · 15/02/2016 10:58

well here is that nice shiny mental health parity we hear about...

You should have told them you had cancer...that would likely have gotten you seen...

Muskateersmummy · 15/02/2016 10:59

Part of the problem (and this is an aside rant) is that people are not taking responsibility for their own care. Many of the things people go to the GP for doesn't need anything but time (ie coughs and colds) or could be dealt with by the pharmacist.

I do agree with anyfucker that if you have been feeling this spiral for 2 months waiting until you urgently need the medication that day, was not wise. For now you need to ether get a telephone appointment, or take the appointment with the nurse. For the future when you start feeling those feelings, get and appointment, save yourself this unnecessary stress.

Children tend to take priority because they go downhill much much faster than adults, mild symptoms can mask something severe. Elderly are similar.

Hope you get something sorted today

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 10:59

Please do not just turn up at the surgery. It doesn't work like that, really is it doesn't.

bakeoffcake · 15/02/2016 11:00

I'm realising how lucky we are in our practice. We can make appts for three weeks ahead on line and we can phone on the day for an emergency. We then get phoned by a Dr who if required makes us an appt.

I wonder how long this great service will lastSad

AnyFucker · 15/02/2016 11:00

Many surgeries open the phone lines before they open the front door to stop the "drop in" mindset. They either have an open surgery or they do not.

PippaPug · 15/02/2016 11:01

To be fair - you said you weren't feeling 100% since before Christmas so you have waited till the last possible moment to try and get a doctors apt.

If you can't get any and you feel it's a teue emergency then go to A and E or try and explain do the doctor receptionist's and maybe will be able to get a apt which is out of hours?
I was unwell a few weeks ago and due to why I was unwell the doctor saw me before the surgery officially opened.

Or see the nurse who will then be able to get you to see the doctor?

bakeoffcake · 15/02/2016 11:01

If there's a cancellation, it might work AF.