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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

No Doctor's Appointment

92 replies

MickeyLuv · 30/10/2017 11:19

AIBU to be fuming at my Dr's?

Have just tried to book an appointment (not particularly urgent but would like to see one) to be told that there are no appointments available! I asked what I am supposed to do, she replied to phone back at 8:00am every morning to try and get one the same day. I can't phone at 8:00am as I am traveling to work at that time, well can I call in to the surgery at 8:00 instead? No I'M TRAVELLING TO WORK!!!

I expected a wait (last time I waited 3 weeks) but to be told I can't book an appointment at all!!! No wonder A&E is so bloody busy everywhere

OP posts:

LemonShark · 30/10/2017 13:57

Tried that Hillarious. Didn't work. They just did it back to me saying they couldn't help me then. No skin off their nose if I go without an appointment really, is it?

LIZS · 30/10/2017 13:57

Firesuit, it may vary by practice. I just asked at reception and they printed off the user info there and then, nothing new to complete. Most practices are open at least one Saturday or evening a week.

SilverySurfer · 30/10/2017 13:57

I always loved the system used by my doctor in London before I moved, where you turned up and queued, no appointments. You may have to wait an hour or longer but at least you knew you would get to see the doctor if you were really sick.

RavingRoo · 30/10/2017 13:58

@betty very disingenuous, because you can take annual leave to do it. Everyone can even if they have to plan in advance. I completed online registeration for my GP surgery years ago back when I worked in an inflexible job with a six hour commute. I’m hearing so many excuses here.

Original poster

MickeyLuv · 30/10/2017 14:03

I will register for online appointments now that I know I can although that won;t help me on this occasion. I am one of those people who probably goes to the GP once in a blue moon (last went in 2012) so have never needed to book online before.

OP posts:

bingbongnoise · 30/10/2017 14:04

The poster saying 'people are making excuses' - how lovely for you that you don't have any issues with your medical practice, you can get through and make an appointment for a week or so, or you can book easily online.

As I, and many others have said, it is not so easy for many, AND not even booking online works all the time, because there are often no appointments available.

I have no issues with my wonderful medical practice, but I know some people who have HUGE issues, and have not been able to make an appointment this YEAR. So I do empathise with people who do have issues. Stop being so bloody mean.

bettycooper · 30/10/2017 14:05

How is it disingenuous? At this point in the year many people (on Jan/ Dec holidays) have no annual leave left. When my DC were younger I'd normally have 3 days left, one for Xmas plays (2 half days) and the other 2 over Xmas to cover childcare.

You can't take what you don't have.

I also had to give 2 weeks notice of any leave, so would have been stuffed even if I did have a spare day.

I am registered for online services now at my surgery but it's not a great bloody leap to see how others might struggle, especially this time of year. And bearing in mind they'll need another day or half day for The appt itself.

There is something to be said for turn up and wait systems. At least you are seen the day.

Firesuit · 30/10/2017 14:07

When I eventually managed to get to the surgery I asked why I had to come in person. Was told it's to prevent someone else registering for online access as you and seeing your health record.

Yet somehow banks manage to give people on-line access to their money without them having to visit a bank branch to register. What's more likely: a malicious stranger might want to access your money, or your medical records?

babsthebuilder · 30/10/2017 14:08

It sounds like we have the same gp. I was also told to call in when I said I wasn’t available to call at that time. They also suggested someone phone for me to get me an appointment for my extremely personal issue. A few years ago appointments opened at 9am and I couldn’t quite get them to understand that I couldn’t phone then as being a nurse, I had my own patients at 9am. I have no solution op, just sending luck your way

Firesuit · 30/10/2017 14:10

And what medical records, other than details of appointments? I assume nothing else is available to the patient login.

NannyR · 30/10/2017 14:14

I'm registered for online services and whilst it's brilliant for ordering repeat prescriptions, there are never any appointments on the system to book. The only way you can pretty much guarantee being seen on the day is by queuing up at the surgery from 7.30am, the phone in at 8am is as bad as other posters have described.

LemonShark · 30/10/2017 14:15

firesuit mine has a list of all of my medications on my record.

RavingRoo · 30/10/2017 14:15

It’s more to prevent people from impersonating someone else to get free NHS treatment or drugs they aren’t entitled to. Banks allow this as they have fraud guarantees that will cover any financial loss, the NHS can’t take back morphene that’s already been sold onto the black market.

Also, as I said @betty online registration and health needs should be planned for. That means doing it before you need to when you have holiday even if it means going to Spain for one day less than usual. If someone is sick or has a chronic condition, like I do, that pre-planning is even more important.

@bing - I have Lupus and RA and severe pcos (the kind that results in frequent A&E visits). I registered online at my GP back when I only got 7 days of annual leave a year. If I can do it most people can.

Intercom · 30/10/2017 14:16

Exactly the same at our surgery too. Phone first thing to compete with everyone else for an appointment that day, find they’ve all gone, repeat the next day. Or wait 3 weeks.

StormTreader · 30/10/2017 14:17

"Most practices are open at least one Saturday or evening a week."

I have never been at a practice where they are open on a Saturday. "Late opening" is up to 6.30 1 day a week which is no good for someone doing a decent commute after a 5.30 finish, and those appointments are never available anyway.

MollyHuaCha · 30/10/2017 14:19

Our surgery has the same system. You either book inline for two/three weeks ahead or you phone at 8.00am.

Last time I phoned at 8.00 I couldn’t get through. After repeat dialing without a gap, I got through to The Queue’. I then waited... and waited... listening to irritating muzak interspersed with recorded messages telling me my call was important. At last a real person spoke to me and I was offered an appointment with the nurse practitioner (no Dr appointments were left) for later that day.

I took the appointment and looked at the time - 8.37! It had taken nearly 40 minutes.

Lovemusic33 · 30/10/2017 14:19

It is frustrating, our gp surgery has gone from having 3 gps to having one. I was lucky to get an emergency appointment today, I phoned as soon as they opened and there was only a couple appointments left. I have now been told I need blood tests, was told to book on the way out and they can't fit me in this week.

underneaththeash · 30/10/2017 14:26

Call and ask to speak to the practice manager. They have to offer appointments in advance as per the NHS guidelines.

I had a similar issue with our practice in London, we had to call at exactly 8.30am and I was in the middle of doing the school run at that time every day. Mobiles were banned in the playground too.

Stormzy · 30/10/2017 14:29

I also hate being asked what I'm booking an appointment for by receptionists with zero medical training. It's not enjoyable having to tell them you have thrush or are having a serious depression relapse. Even worse is when they book you with a nurse without even asking what it's for!

Well that is why we ask. We are trained to know if a problem is best suited by a GP/ ANP/ Practice nurse/ HCA/ pharmacist etc. If it's private, tell us it's private; we're not purposely being nosey. But don't then make a complaint about me because I've booked you in with a GP as your 'private matter' was removal of stitches which GPs can't/ won't do

It's not much fun working as a GP receptionist in these times either. Luckily my surgery is open till 8 twice a week, and sometimes Saturdays. Never longer than 2 working days for a routine appointment, and can always be seen on the day if urgent/ calling before 10ish.

Still get tons of abuse though. Sounds like our patients don't know they're born

BeyondThePage · 30/10/2017 14:39

Our surgery is one of the nicer ones - many doctors and nurses, extended hours 3 mornings from 7am, 2 evenings til 8pm and alternate Saturday mornings.

ring on the day and say you need to see a doctor urgently - get appointment that day

ring and say you need an appointment, they ask questions and point you to whoever is best suited to help, may be a person-to-person or phone appointment.

ring and ask for a future appointment, you will be given one 2-4 weeks in advance depending on who you wish to see.

online - appointments available for 2-6 weeks time - generally inconvenient times available at 2 weeks out, any time you like at 6 weeks out.

Works nicely for us.

TartanCurtains · 30/10/2017 14:44

Nobody has mentioned the super fun game I had recently. I also commute and needed to book a smear appointment with the nurse.

I rarely go to the doctors but did remember to register for online account on some previous random day off work. Except it turns out you can't book nurse appointments online. And when you go through the joy of calling for an appointment, they have no interest in helping you plan it for the right time in your cycle. Apparently the nurse says that doesn't matter (despite what the NHS website says). I find it difficult to believe the nurse ever said that at all.

No family planning clinic or walk in near me either.

itshappening · 30/10/2017 14:48

Complain to the practice manager. I am not saying things will change but it is important people do.

LemonShark · 30/10/2017 14:54

What would a 'family planning' clinic be used for when you can get contraception and STI screens done at the GP surgery? Curious as I've never heard of one before.

Original poster

MickeyLuv · 30/10/2017 15:05

Nobody has mentioned the super fun game I had recently. I also commute and needed to book a smear appointment with the nurse.

Strangely I have no problem at all getting an appointment with the nurse for a smear or pill check. Early morning or late evening appointment? No problem, when would you like to come?

OP posts:

TwinkleTwinkleLittleEtoile · 30/10/2017 15:15

LemonShark, I used a family planning clinic because I could never make appointments with doctors or nurses at my surgery because I was travelling to work when the phone lines opened, and there was never anything left. I got my pill prescription renewed, and had several smear tests there. Waited for ages as it was a drop-in service, but necessary when I couldn't get appointments at my GP practice.

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