Doctor's fucking punctuality

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

So went to doctor today and he was late again! Previous patient came late so he couldn't just chuck him out and he took me half hour later ,I was late for school pick up ended up paying late care
I don't get it, why are they allowed to be late we are supposed to accept it or leave and miss the appointment for which I had to take day off! And if we are late they wait for 5 minutes and then you go back to the bottom of the queue
AIBU ? Is this a life sentence?

How many fucking hours do you think there are in a day?
You've been told by (at the time of typing) 72 people that you're unreasonable and you've been told why. Take the damned hint.

I would love to see a system implemented whereby people who moan about this because they're too stupid to see why a doctor might be running late, be moved to the back of the line.

This. I have been reminded during this thread of my 12 week scan appointment. Was very late, a couple that were waiting were complaining very loudly about it and started kicking up a right fuss when the sonographer came out of the room and obviously went to get help from a colleague. About 20 minutes a later a couple came out of the room who had clearly just had some devastating news 8t made me cry just seeing them. Complaining couple continue to complain despite seeing this and the manager of the department came down and told them they would not be seen today and got security to remove them. Assholes. Some people just can't see past thems elves.

The only time I haven't had to wait at least 30 mins past my appointment time was when I had to go in on Christmas Eve. But I know it's because my GP really cares about his patients, he listens, he helps - he helped diagnosed my 2 chronic conditions. And I know that I am waiting because he is doing the same for another person. So I just wait and read my book.

And worry because we won't have an NHS for much longer. But then at least the OP may be happy?

Well if you know it happens every single time, then pretty stupid of you to book it right before picking your child up.

OP I think that GPs are only allowed to give 10 minute appts. We can book a double if we have more than 1 thing to address. Medicine has become politicised

I do see the point some of you made, especially the one about them never having a break
Sometimes when you had enough paying an absolute fortune in tax etc and seeing the same issue again and again you do go into a rant
So fair point thanks for your replies

Why don't they allow extra time? Because the NHS is stretched practically to breaking point. Surgeries are oversubscribed. Patients are having to book routine GP appointments weeks in advance. If every GP had to see fewer patients in a day just to avoid inconveniencing those who insist on their appointment running exactly to time it would be even harder to get an appointment. NHS funding doesn't grow on trees and GP practices are doing the best they can.

You can book a double appointment if you know you will need it. You don't always.

I think we can lay the blame solely at the Conservative's public service/ austerity cuts.

I feel pretty sure a Labour govt would have found ways to cut that would have ended up in the NHS being in a similar position.

The NHS is no longer fit for purpose compared to it's origins. Take a look at a 'Carry On' film based in a hospital, it's staggering what was on offer in the 50's and 60's

(I do know that Carry On films do not nec reflect reality)

OP
Looking at the questions in your second post, pp have actually answered them

If you really mean "why hasn't the NHS got the resources it needs" that is a separate question for a separate thread.

NEXT!

We all pay taxes including the GPs

YABVU

Doctors are dealing with people who are complex and unpredictable. A GP will see lots of routine patients but also list who are suffering drama and tradgedy plus some who will be very ill!

I've waited fucking hours at the Walton Centre too and my primary concern has been for the poor fucker having emergency neurosurgery, my parking ticket was an issue but not the biggest one.

I once helped a new Consultant deal with a patient who had started shouting and swearing at him outside the hospital about the fact that he was outside whilst he was waiting in clinic. The doctor was taking the quickest route from MRI to the tumour unit to deal with someone with a spinal tumour who was rapidly going to be paralysed without intervention.

The hospital supported the consultant in refusing to see the abusive patient and sending him back to his GP.

chelle I had a GP who always did that while also never being less that 45mins late. It's incredibly annoying being kept waiting when you know that you will be kicked out after 5-10 mins regardless.

YABU. GPs should all have a sign in their waiting room as follows:

Your GP appointment is like a train service.

You are early, GP is running on time: you wait and see them on time
You are late and the GP is on time: you miss your appointment
You are on time the GP is late: annoying, but you wait and see them when they get to you
You are late, the GP is late: you are lucky and get to see them.

There are so many things affecting how a GPs session runs - emergencies, patients with massive lists, complex problems and there are only ten minutes. If one person makes the GP late it has a knock on effect on the rest of the surgery.

"But if it happens all the time absolutely 100% of the time why don't they allow for more time in the first place? If they know on average they will overrun on 9 out of 10 appointments why don't they allow for his extra time like they allow for emergencies"

Because there are not enough doctors and too many people needing to see them, AnotherTimeMaybe, so their choice is either try to fit more appointments in, or make people wait longer for appointments. People already complain about having to wait days or weeks for appointments - if they build in more time for appointments to overrun, people will wait even longer - would you be happy with that?

I've been that patient.

Nipped in because I felt a bit wheezy and couldn't get on top of it. Thought I'd just ask if I could go on the neb. Unfortunately, my 'bit wheezy' turned out to be sats of 85% and a peak flow of 30% normal. So I took up a hell of a lot of time whilst they administer O2 and nebs, and generally did their best to keep me alive until the ambulance arrived.

Sorry you were late for your appointment

Anybody know the number of GPs working and the population density of this Country?

Well - I am pretty glad your GP was willing to spend that extra time with you, Stratter5!!

You are bring VVU!!! If you had to go to the GP or hospital as often as us you would realise you make appointments s d give yourself an Extra hour. Hospital appointments add 2 hours. The consultants are doing clinics and have pagers do need to tend to emergencies. It only takes one complex case for the whole clinic to run behind.
Yes GPs could offer longer appointments but them there will be less appointments and someone would moan about that. As someone who's family rely on the NHS and the fantastic work they do.. You are do unreasonable it annoys me!
Quit moaning about your free healthcare... Go private you'll get seen on time and get a free coffee!

I think we can lay the blame solely at the Conservative's public service/ austerity cuts

Really, NO.

I am 58 and could count the number of GP or Specialist appointments I've had that were on time on one hand..........whether the government was Labour or Conservative made no difference at all.

I get really annoyed about such moans (this is to you who are moaning). Every day I thank my lucky stars I no longer live abroad and we have the NHS, everyone should live in another country and then come back and appreciate what we have warts and all.

there arent enough doctors to build in gap so that you can fit in emergencies or the patient who needs longer.

But dont get me started on the dentist who was clearly NOT seeing patients because no-one had come out of the surgery (only one exit, sitting outside the door). They were costing an arm and a leg, no excuse for keeping us waiting. Since we were paying we found another dentist.

But they're not late because they couldn't be arsed to get up this morning or there been out on the tiles.

I generally book the first appt of the day. They can still be anything up to an hour late.

The number of GP consultations has risen by 1/3rd since 1990. Investment in general practice fell by £400 million in the twats 2010-2013.

'Paying your taxes' is a daft point to make OP. The system is creaking, we aren't investing enough.

'Paying your taxes' also doesn't make you a priority over an emergency. Sorry.