To try and get a GP appointment sooner than 4 weeks

[user1469032438]

I've always suffered wih mental health ever since I was a teen, after i had my DD (18months ago) i felt a lot better and came all my meds etc. Just recently ive been feeling like I'm going downhill, my friend died suddenly and my bf of 12 months broke up with me out of the blue by text. Then there is all the normal life stresses on top.

I feel like I'm drowning, like there is no way out and im just destined to feel shit for ever, the only reason I dont do something stupid is for my DD, shes the only reason I keep going.

I tried to make a GP appointment but the next one they had to give me was the 18th of July. Part of me feels like I can't wait that long and by then ill be so far in my hole it will be twice as hard to get out but the other part of me feels its not an emergency same day appointment and I'd hate to take an appointment from someone who needs it more.

WIBU to try and get one sooner? Realistically i know theres no quick fix and im not really sure what i expect them to do for me anyway. Would this count as an emergency or woukd you wait four weeks?

My gp surgery would certainly think a Mum with a young child is a priority with regards to mental health.

you need to ask for an urgent not a routine appointment. Just because your illness is not presenting physically doesn't meant its not urgent - phone them back and say you need an urgent appt or get someone else to phone for you

I'd say this warrants an emergency appointment, my GP said that I should call if I feel I'm going downhill (coming off antidepressants) and they'll get me in that day if needed.

I don't really understand emergency gp appointments, if it's a real emergency i.e. You're dying it's 999/a&e. I think emergency gp appointments are for things that can't wait/be lived with for a few weeks so don't feel bad about taking one.

If you think it is an emergency then make an on the day appointment.

If the receptionist asks you why you want the appointment you can refuse to discuss it with him/her though you may have problems if your practice has a triage system.

Personally I've found I've made appointments in advanced to discuss things but have found I've had to cancel them a week or so later, and make an on the day appointment as the issue has turned more urgent. (In my case my problem was for physical things but the same thing applies.)

I agree - you need an urgent appointment. If none are available can you have a callback. My GP does this (but no one told me) they phone you and if deemed urgent give you an appointment usually for late in the day or arrange a prescription for you. The Health visitor might also be of help in pressing your case - ask to speak to them if the GP is not available. I do hope you get help.

If you state depression and request an urgent appointment they will give you one,I used to do that job and we had to fit people in for those problems

Just call up and say you need an emergency appt for a mental health problem. It's helpful to tell them why, they aren't being nosy.

Im a GP and prob see at least one urgent a day for MH reasons. I have asked the receptionists to allocate 20mins rather than 10 if it's a Mh issue to give enough time, so being upfront is helpful.

GP receptionists tend to give appointments for a few weeks time if it’s just routine, so if you desperately need to see someone do tell them.

As an example, I was given a random mid day appointment for around the 15th of July last week, told them that I couldn’t make it due to work and they gave me one for tomorrow evening. My issue wasn’t MH related, but they still made adjustments for me. They can be flexible if you genuinely need an urgent appointment.

Also chances are that your GP may refer you to counselling which might have a long waiting list in your area, so it’s better to get the referral in sooner rather than later

4 weeks!? I've never waited 4 weeks

The receptionists have a limited number of appointments they can give out and these tend to get booked up far in advance.

Ring back and say you need to see someone more urgently and ask what the process is.

My GP's have a triage system where a nurse or doctor will phone you and they have access to more appointments

Whoops, pressed post too soon, sorry.

I needed an appointment for DD and reception could only give us one for five weeks away but the triage system meant we got one for a week away which was fine - if it had been really urgent, they would have got her one the same day.

I think you need to be seen sooner than four weeks, you can go downhill so fast in that time. Your surgery must have an urgent or same day appointment procedure, use that. At my surgery you can call on the day and either speak to the duty doctor or get a regular appointment as they release some same day. And yes, you are an urgent case. Good luck, I’ve been where you are and I know it’s not nice.

I'm a go receptionist deteriating mental health is urgent and we would pass to on call doctor of no appointments left where I work so yes ask for a urgent appointment if you are feeling unwell today and can't wait till tomorrow ask to speak to the doctor on call ( they deal with all emergencies)

Be honest with the receptionist about why you need the appointment and they will make sure you are seen appropriately .
We keep our urgent appointments for things just like your current situation , it is urgent and it cannot wait 4 weeks .

Thank you everyone, i just some reassurance i wasnt wasting everyone's time. I will ring back tomorrow and see if I can get one for then. Thank you to everyone who replied.

I have done this in the past and got a same day appointment for depression and anxiety. It was the best thing I could have done. I agree with PPs to ask for one citing a mental health problem. and well done you for recognising you need help, that’s not an easy thing to do

Cross post with OP. I’m a very slow typer