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Original poster

To be mad at the GPs

20 replies

TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 12/09/2017 08:50

Just a rant really. GP surgery opens at 8. At 2 minutes past 8 the phone lines are still closed, so I wait 5 minutes and call back. For the next 40 minutes the IVR either continues to put me in a loop or the phone rings and rings and rings without being answered, and then cuts off. When I finally get through all the appointments have gone!! Grrr so frustrating, it's been happening too me since Wednesday last week.

To be mad at the GPs
OP posts:
OhNoGroken · 12/09/2017 08:56

Don't be angry with the GP, be angry with the governments who have contributed to the chronic underfunding of the NHS

missyB1 · 12/09/2017 08:56

yes same at our surgery, very frustrating! If possible go in person to the surgery to make your appointment.

EdmundCleverClogs · 12/09/2017 08:57

That's awful, though my recent record was 98 times until I got through...

Original poster
TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 12/09/2017 09:04

Update I had a hormonal pregnant woman melt down one the phone - it just came out and I couldn't control it - and I not have an appointment at half 10 Hmm

I would blame the government but my gp surgery has been on special measures for years and still under performing. It's been in the local news for having lots of money peddled in to it with no improvements.

OP posts:
shirtyQwerty · 12/09/2017 09:47

I agree with OhNoGroken.

Blame Labour and their horrific dismantling and indebting of the Service.

LeninaCrowne · 12/09/2017 09:48

I went to the surgery to make an appointment at 8 am and there was a queue out of the door!

PutTheBunnyBackInTheBox · 12/09/2017 09:50

Our surgery has changed - you now have to ring and tell the receptionist what is wrong. A doctor rings you back and decides if you need an appointment, if you do you get it the same day. At first I thought it was a bloody stupid system (as you can't book an appointment in advance) but now I've found it really works!

EnidNextDoor · 12/09/2017 09:50

Why can't you be angry with the surgery? They have implemented this appointment system, other surgeries don't have this mad rush at 8am.

They don't have money staff resources etc, blame the govt for that, but their telephone appointment system is their own doing isn't it?

dingit · 12/09/2017 09:57

Try phoning at 7.59. You will be first to get through when they open. Works at our surgery.

Original poster
TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 12/09/2017 09:57

@PutTheBunnyBackInTheBox that's usually what happens with mine. They do call backs and slotted appointments. You can't book days in advance, only on a day to day basis.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 12/09/2017 09:58

@dingit they never open their lines until a few minutes after 8, up until then there is no queue you can sit it

OP posts:
Blobby10 · 12/09/2017 10:10

I had to go to our GP last week for a coil check (saw the nurse and was in and out in 5 minutes!) and asked the receptionist if I really needed to take up a drs appt for a prescription renewal for Citalopram 20 given that the last two years I have been in and out within 30 seconds. she agreed that a phone appt would be adequate and if I needed to see them in person the doc on the phone could decide!

It came across that she was so used to people insisting on seeing the doctor that she couldn't immediately process someone who didn't!

honeysucklejasmine · 12/09/2017 10:20

blobby I always ask for a phone appointment too, when it's regarding medication

hohum1234 · 12/09/2017 10:30

I'd be madder at yourself for like totally using Americanisms and shit!

Original poster
TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 12/09/2017 10:47

@hohum1234 👍

OP posts:
balsamicbarbara · 12/09/2017 11:20

It never ceases to sadden me how terribly we fund the NHS. People are surely dying because they're unable to get preventive care from overburdened GPs.

Bourdic · 12/09/2017 11:38

Blame the surgery - the system they are using is rubbish. Triage or duty doctor/ pop in and wait is the way good surgeries operate now

TheBadgersMadeMeDoIt · 12/09/2017 20:27

I've had to battle systems like that with surgeries Ive been registered with in the past. One had the same system - no advance appointments so you have to call at 8am. One did have advance appointments but you had to know 3 weeks in advance if you were going to be ill. (And the surgery closed on Wednesday afternoons. There were about 10 GP's, and they all had the same half day off).

My current surgery is the only one I've ever found that has got it right. Evening appointments are book in advance (and you can book these yourself online). Daytime slots are emergency same day appointments. If you can't get through at 8am you can try again at 1.30 for the afternoon. Why aren't all surgeries like this? It works a treat. Ironically, the only time I have trouble getting an appointment is if I want to see the nurse!

lalalalyra · 12/09/2017 20:33

Try phoning at 7.59. You will be first to get through when they open. Works at our surgery.

Doesn't work at hours. They lift the phone at 8am and put it straight down to dissuade "queue jumpers".

It's a shit system. At our practise even if the doctor says "Come back and see me in 2 weeks" you have to do the phone battle.

xxreeldancerxx · 12/09/2017 20:45

This is how many calls I made a few weeks ago to our surgery ... and that's not including the 17 made from the landline! Still got an app tho :)

To be mad at the GPs
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