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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP surgery - standing room only?

66 replies

shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 21:12

Is this normal - AIBU to be surprised? Went for an emergency appointment this morning at my new GP surgery and there were no seats left - it was absolutely jam packed. I and about 6 others had to stand against the wall waiting - felt a bit awkward. I did notice one man move a seat over that was unoccupied for his child to sit on and the receptionist told him to put it back , that seat's left in corridor for a specific reason apparently.

I had a routine appointment last week after registering (on long term meds so needed to see the doctor), was the same then.

Admittedly I've moved from a practice in an area mainly populated by students and flat shares to one that seems much larger . Maybe there's much more demand for appointments. Was just a bit taken aback and wondering if I have led a sheltered life/ been very lucky in the past!

I didn't say anything to anyone as seemed rude/pointless, plus I was there for a self harm injury and just wanted out asap (as it goes I was out of doctors room within 3 minutes) but surely most surgeries aren't busy like that? Thank goodness the doctor was on time, my previous GP had a record of being 45 mins late usually ...!

OP posts:
pudcat · 27/09/2017 21:14

You were lucky to get an appointment.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 21:16

Yes that's very true of course , I was - the receptionist was kind enough to fit me in with someone , although I did say I'd be fine just to talk on phone. I'm not complaining as such , just shocked at how busy it was. Though I suppose the likes of me doing silly things in the middle of the night doesn't help :(

OP posts:
Piratesandpants · 27/09/2017 21:19

My GP surgery have stopped doing any routine appointments for a few months now. Last time it took me 3 months of trying g to get an appointment (any time, any doctor).

OohMavis · 27/09/2017 21:21

Yay, austerity!

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 27/09/2017 21:23

Oh OP Sad sorry about the self harm
As for the surgery what can I say ? Hard times

Glumglowworm · 27/09/2017 21:25

It's busier than any surgery I've ever been too, even the one that used to do mornings of turn up and wait to get seen.

Were they running exceptionally late or something? Or possibly a flu jab clinic with high volumes of quick appointments?

I hope you're okay and safe OP Flowers

Slimthistime · 27/09/2017 21:27

I've been a regular at my GP for years

this is common I'm afraid, always much worse in the morning though.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 21:34

They didnt seem late but I was told they only do appointments from 8.30 to 10.30 and then 1.30 until 4.30 , and only 3 doctors - whereas old surgery had 6 - 10 on and appointments from 8.20 right up to 5.40 . Maybe that's the difference.

They weren't very late though, no.

I'm Ok ish Flowers . Arm is very sore (just soft tissue and peripheral nerve damage apparently) .

Doctor said little she can do, has given me a number for mental health team who can offer a few things , but said everything will take time and waiting lists - they have zero notes on me too so not willing to prescribe routine meds etc yet (thankfully my previous doctor sent me off with 3 months of all but the pill, and apparently Boots can do that part).

University have a drop in counselling session tomorrow from 12:40 until 2 so will pop in there and see what that's like. Just homesickness, missing old routine , no familiar people about, and struggling to make myself feel settled/ relaxed. Takes its time I suppose!

OP posts:
Slimthistime · 27/09/2017 21:38

are you the poster who asked about zopiclone the other day?

are there some routine meds you should be having? I'm on those, it's bad to come off suddenly.

I hope you are okay and I hope the counselling helps.

You know there's a "Mental Health" topic here in case that's any use.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 22:03

Yeah , I'm also on escitalopram, dihydrocodeine/cocodamol, mini pill and naproxen.

I've got the dihydrocodeine OTC and naproxen an out of hours doctor gave me , escitalopram my GP gave me 3 months worth . Zopiclone knocked me out so that was a help.

Thank you, I'm always worried posts on other bits go unseen but will have a look :)

I hope it helps too, I need to talk properly in real life I think. I'm so used to offloading to old GP and missing that support like crazy.

OP posts:
Dancingfairy · 27/09/2017 22:04

Huh?! My GPS surgery is always packed. I frequently stand with my children no one offers us a seat, I don't expect them to. Was you expecting to be offered one?

Slimthistime · 27/09/2017 22:08

OP I hear you.

The GP who started treating me was wonderful - when she retired I was heartbroken. Luckily my mental health was pretty well managed by then but she was absolutely key to that. I wasn't much of a one for talking about it though but if you are, then absolutely make use of all the student services and online forums etc.

you've got enough escitalopram right? You really can't be missing that one.

all good wishes to you Flowers

donquixotedelamancha · 27/09/2017 22:15

"Yay, austerity!"

Bloody Corbynista communists wanting a taxation funded health service free at the point of use, just because it's a collective good and therefore much more efficient paid for that way.

Wishforsnow · 27/09/2017 22:15

It's odd as my surgery you can't get appointments for weeks except the 8AM hopeful call. It is a large practice but always empty in the waiting room. Maybe only ever one or two other people.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 22:21

Slim I'm completely besides myself :( . I haven't admitted it to anyone in real life except my mum. Speaking to someone who didn't seem to have the time in such a busy place and who doesn't know me /who I don't know, not easy at all. I walked home crying which is a bit silly maybe.

I wasn't expecting to be offered a seat or anything no ... a lot here is daunting , I was brought up in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere and then lived in a smallish city for a few years.. this is totally different in every way and just a bit of a culture shock.

I've got enough escitalopram, I will run out of the pill I think and it's stopped 'working' anyway (on week 3 of a period) but once I find Boots will speak to them about that.

I am regretting hurting my arm , it's hit a nerve I think as sore from my elbow down . Not so good.

OP posts:
TammySwansonTwo · 27/09/2017 22:29

My old practice was like this. I have chronic illnesses, could never see the same doctor, struggling to book in at all ever. Moved a couple of miles down the road and now have a great practice where I can always get a routine appointment with the doctor of my choice within a week, they have physios and phlebotomists and all sorts coming in as needed... sadly the GPs still aren't the most efficient, but they try at least which is more than I can say for the last place.

Could you look up reviews for other practices nearby? They might not all be like this. My uni had a gp practice which was great, not sure if yours does (very tired so sorry I'm a bit lost - are you still at uni or just left?) x

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 27/09/2017 22:44

I think this is the uni one although its open to general public as well. Its inside the hospital, in a health centre which is then divided into 3 'wings'. I think all other stuff (nurses, AHPs, health visitor) is done separately as there's 4 reception desks in total I think.

I've just started uni 3 weeks ago :)

I will ask around, google did suggest another surgery but would be a subway journey each time - not sure they'd take me on in that case. Haven't negotiated the subway yet anyway!

OP posts:
Slimthistime · 27/09/2017 23:07

OP "I'm completely besides myself"

oh I do feel for you. hugs if you'd like them.

I realise you might not want to say where you are but you've mentioned a subway. So if London, or New York, or similar - it must be completely overwhelming if you've not lived in that kind of place before. I'm a lifelong Londoner and I now find it completely overwhelming!! Talk about sensory overload.

It sounds like you were on escitalopram before uni - is it worth asking the GP about slightly upping the dose? I don't know how that one works. I am on a different med, but having a really stressful period at work and have temporarily upped my dose.

I could really feel the difference today, my normally calm boss is really struggling at the moment and so would I be if I was on my normal dose. (she knows about my insomnia but doesn't know about my general mental health).

I'd stick with this nearby GP and don't worry about venturing on to the subway till you feel better.

also if you are in the UK, I just had a quick look at google and it seems there is this "nightline" service which might be of use to you?

www.nightline.ac.uk/want-to-talk/

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 28/09/2017 07:24

There is so much luck associated with this issue
I am LOndon but seem to have a surgery that save last minute emergency spots and allocate with need

OP can you join a local Facebook page and ask for GO refs? You need a better surgery and a sympathetic MH friendly GP or even NUrse practitioner who will refer you into some support and ideally talking therapy

Keep posting in MH and wishing you the best

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 29/09/2017 10:33

It's just Glasgow I'm in, so not far away from home at all. New York I'd barricade myself in a wardrobe!!

I've not had a good week at all :(

Spent yesterday afternoon in A&E being catheterised, sent home, cath taken out again at midnight, very unhappy :( just want to go home. Sitting fighting back tears in a lecture.

I have email contact with old GP (yes.. I know, she asked me to keep in touch) but quite sure she didn't intend for me to send moaning emails :(

I've taken escit for years now, I honestly don't feel it works at all :(

OP posts:
Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 29/09/2017 10:44

Slim just noticed you offered me a hug :(, thank you Flowers

OP posts:
Chimchar · 29/09/2017 10:46

No advice at all for you, but your posts have left a tear in my eye... you sound so vulnerable and sad, and yet so bloody brave, because against all the odds, you are making huge steps.
I just wanted to send you a massive hug and say well done, and that I hope you are feeling a little better and much more settled very soon x CakeBrewFlowersGin

OhTheRoses · 29/09/2017 10:48

Going to uni is really tough. Your uni should have a disability support team. Can I suggest please that you leave your lecture now go to student services and ask where disability support can be found - ss should ring ahead for you. They will be able to support you. How about having a chat with them starting a support plan, they should have GP and local MH contacts, and then giving your mum a ring and going home for the weekend. Flowers.

My dd who has MH issues decided to have a gap year but our plan had been to visit disability services before she started to make sure she was supported and in a hall with a warden, registered with good GP etc and had emergency contacts in case of need. It's not too late for that to be out in place for you. I only know because I work for a uni.

RB68 · 29/09/2017 10:50

Maybe you went with a flu ab clinic in full swing - they have appts every 3 mins so would be busy busy

MrsLupo · 29/09/2017 10:59

Flowers OP, and a hug.

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