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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This is why people don’t bother to go the the Drs for screening etc

57 replies

MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:17

Had Mirena replaced a few months ago.

Started new full time job about same time.

Forgot to go and get it checked. Then last month my cervical screening reminder came through.

Got around to phoning the GP today to try and kill two birds with one stone and do both in the same appt.

I need to book a day off and book an appt as I have a job which involves booking appts with clients.

No cannot do that and I have to phone for an on the day appt for both and they have no proof I have had a Mirena so will need the Dr to instigate appt.

Why the fuck would I go and have a Mirena checked thatcI haven’t had fitted?!

To sort this issue (and I was perfectly polite) I need to phone the practice manager tomorrow.

WTAF? It’s such a hassle to get an appt I hardly ever bother but I always get screened.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:18

And they won’t do both in the same appt. WHY?!

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Deinonychus · 22/05/2018 22:20

If you just book a smear test the nurse will be able to tell you if your mirena threads are visible or not when she does the smear. If your practice makes you book this on the day, do family planning clinics in your area also do smears?

Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:23

I don’t really want to go the the FPC I want to book an appt at my GP.

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MinniesAndMickeysNeedCounting · 22/05/2018 22:25

I went for cervical screening last week and just asked the nurse if she could check the threads while she was down there with a massive flippin spotlight Blush

TeeniefaeTroon · 22/05/2018 22:26

I wanted my implant out but they wouldn't give me an appointment to get it removed until I'd made an appointment to speak to a doctor about it first. I just wanted the bloody thing out, not to go on any other contraception. I just left it in for over a year after expiry (used condoms). Called them back to make an appointment to get it removed and they still wouldn't give me one without seeing a doctor first. I ended up getting it removed at the family planning clinic in an evening appointment.

BlueBug45 · 22/05/2018 22:26

Nope as it depends on your practice how it is done.

For example my practice has a contraceptive clinic for part of the borough so a nurse does coils etc. Then either a nurse or GP will do a smear test for you.

The contraceptive appointments are easy to book as they can normally fit you in that week. The smears may take up to 2 weeks but you don't get an on-the-day appointment. The contraceptive nurse won't do smears so you need two appointments. There as at a previous practice the contraceptive nurse did do smears.

Peterrabbitscarrots · 22/05/2018 22:27

Mirena checks are not a core GMS service (the contract your GP has with the NHS), and they are the responsibility of whoever fitted it.

ShirleyPhallus · 22/05/2018 22:28

I’ve been with my doctor for 4 years and have never once got an appointment. Call up at 8am on the day for appointments, you can’t pre-book at all. Never once managed to get through on the day for an appt. Not sure they realise most people need to leave before 8am to get to work.

Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:30

But the GP (who deals with contraception) knows me and put my coil in (and previous coils) and told me to book an to havevit checked in 4 weeks but forgot to put it on the system.

They are now telling me I have to book an appt to talk to the Dr about it before she can check it. WHY?!

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Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:31

Then book a separate appt to have my smear?!

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Alienspaceship · 22/05/2018 22:36

Oh I agree with you op, bloody ridiculous. Can’t wait until
I retire and have the time to get an appointment for every ailment. I shall get everything sorted - only another 25 years to go Grin

Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:37

Alienspaceship

Grin
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Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:38

I mean FFS ... while you are down there etc..

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scrappydappydoo · 22/05/2018 22:45

I've given up with my drs - I'm not a priority to them so I have no chance of getting an appointment on the day or actually less than 3 weeks away. Tried booking a smear last week - i manage my own hours so very flexible - no available appointments for 2 mths! I asked about fp clinics and was told I was too old (mid 40's). Let's hope I have nothing seriously wrong!

itsalldyingout · 22/05/2018 22:54

I don't understand this either.

Apart from the logistics of getting time off and getting there, it's actually taking more GP time up when you include them pulling up and reading through the records. Plus, if anyone else is like me there's a minute walk to the consult room from the waiting room (I'm a slow walker when I actually can walk) eating into my 7 minutes.

I no longer drive so I also have to be able to get someone to take me (I can't afford a taxi).

Once upon a time I used to be able to ring up and book a double appointment with the same GP who was familiar with me a fortnight ahead.

Now, I have to try to get though before or between all the other people wanting an appointment, urgent or not, to get a call-back from a GP who will then decide whether they will see me on the same day - meaning I have to try to get someone else ready at a moment's notice to take me (I've been told to be at the surgery in 20 minutes before now, which would be difficult if I drove myself and left the moment the call finishes).

The call-backs are eating into GP time as it is.

Utter madness.

Sidge · 22/05/2018 22:55

That sounds a bit arse about face. Why make it so difficult for them and you? Coil checks aren’t always necessary - you can have a feel yourself. If you can feel the strings and have no issues then you don’t really need one.

Just make a nurse appointment for your smear and ask the nurse if she can see your coil strings. Job done!

(I’m a practice nurse).

Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:56

Surely this is not cost effective... Hmm

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Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 22:58

I can’t do it myself as I have an extremely long cervix Blush

Ok I will try my luck with the nurse - after all she was there when the coil was fitted and can surely verify this..? Confused

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Cauliflowershower · 22/05/2018 22:59

I’m really grateful for ours-you can book appts for non urgent things a week or so in advance either on the phone or on an app.
Or if you call at 8am they triage you and I’ve always got an appointment for me or kids the same day. I even had something prescribed over the phone which was a massive time saver.
Shame not all can be like that

Littleredboat · 22/05/2018 23:02

I can’t get a smear for love nor money at my surgery. It’s really overdue and they’ve never any appointments.

Apparently my only other option is to drive 45 minutes and sit in a drop in STI clinic.

It’s fucking ridiculous.

Doccc · 22/05/2018 23:03

Not enough money, not enough GPs, not enough appointments.

disneydatknee · 22/05/2018 23:04

After much reluctance and tellings off every time I see my gp, I booked my smear recently only for it to be cancelled last minute as our only nurse practitioner had broken her arm and was off for the forceiable future. Am I going to book another? Am I fuck. It took me this long just to get an appointment and time off work.

kittymamma · 22/05/2018 23:05

Hate to offer a really simple solution that may solve all your problems with minimum hassle... but...

Why don't you phone tomorrow and request (demand nicely) a phone consultation with the doctor, you can have a brief chat and she can put it on the system. The Almighty Guards of the GPs (the receptionists) dislike you doing this but it is my understanding that if you request a phone appointment they have to put you on the list. Or at least that is what I have been told.

Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 23:07

I have gone every years like clockwork since I was sexually active (in the halcyon days).

Surely if I stop bothering because it’s such a massive hassle (and I have never had any issues) I will potentially cost them a lot more money in the future.

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Original poster
MrsDylanBlue · 22/05/2018 23:08

I asked for a telephone appt and they told me I would be needing to call the practise manager Shock

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