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AIBU?

To think the GP should make it easier to get a smear.....

24 replies

Woolythoughts · 24/09/2018 11:16

I work away Monday-Thursday - I'm always at home on a Friday.

My GP surgery does not do Smear tests on a Friday - something to do with samples not being picked up in time.

I can re-arrange my work to make, say, Monday my WFH day. It could be any day but its a 400 mile round trip to my current client so Mondays make more sense.

To book an appointment for a Smear you have to phone on the day and see if any are available. IF you don't get one, try again tomorrow. You cannot book in advance.

So far I've taken two mondays at home (today included) and failed to get an appointment. I hate Mondays at home so am not about to make Monday my permanent WFH day on the off chance that I get an appointment - much prefer Friday.

Receptionist advised Tuesday-Thursday has a higher chance of appointments. Except I can't/won't drive four hours each way just for a couple of days. I also don't see why I should have to take a whole day off and lose £000s.

Client really doesn't like multiple days at home a week so Thurs/FRi would only be an extreme one off - and there's no guarantee I'd get an appointment on the Thursday I make the exception.

I've tried temporary registration with a work local GP but they only deal with emergencies for temp registrations.

I went through the same thing three years ago and ended up taking over six months to get one. There are no other surgeries in my area I can reasonably register with.

I'd be tempted to go private but I can't find anywhere near to where I'm working or where I live!

OP posts:
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LoveAGoodChat · 24/09/2018 11:19

Can't you make an appointment with your surgerys practice nurse and have her do it?..the practice nurse at my drs surgery does smear tests, just make an appointment with her

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Woolythoughts · 24/09/2018 11:20

Nope - GP Practice nurse is phone up on the morning after 8am and see if you can get a free appointment.

Same system as the doctors.

OP posts:
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Bombardier25966 · 24/09/2018 11:21

It's not them making it difficult though, is it?

If you're going to lose hundreds by taking a day off then book to go private. There are plenty of private gynaes about, I can't believe you can't find one.

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MadameJosephine · 24/09/2018 11:24

What a ridiculous carry on. Try contacting the family planning service at your local hospital. Ours will do smears too if you ask them, if yours doesn’t they might at least be able to advise where you could go

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mindutopia · 24/09/2018 11:25

Can you go to a GUM clinic near your client? I had my last one done at the GUM clinic as I had to go there to get my coil inserted after my last baby was born (GP won’t do it). When I was there they reminded me it was due and asked if I just wanted to book in to have it done there. It was much better than the surgery nurse anyway as they actually seemed to know what they were doing.

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LoveAGoodChat · 24/09/2018 11:26

That phone up on the morning thing is what we have too for same day appointments, but we also can book an appointment (might be a week or two or three in advance) if we ask the receptionist....maybe if you have a word with a sympathetic dr or the receptionist and ask them could they bend the rules and pre book you an appointment slot as it's the only time that is suitable for you to go

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HundredMilesAnHour · 24/09/2018 11:27

I feel your pain OP. My GP's surgery used to be the same. They seem to make it extremely difficult for working people to get appointments.

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Rainycloudyday · 24/09/2018 11:28

I agree that's ridiculous. It's so important to have a smear and without any flexibility in the booking system a lot of women would just leave it with who knows what consequences. Could you write to the practice manager and appeal for a one off pre-booked appointment?

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Disfordarkchocolate · 24/09/2018 11:34

I think you should put in a written complaint, they are obliged to send a written response. Ask how the cervical screening service they provide fits in with the need to responsive and effective for working age people for CQC inspection/regulation. You can also 'share your experience' on the CQC website and comment on NHS Choices.

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inlectorecumbit · 24/09/2018 11:43

Cervical cytology pot samples can lie for at least 2 weeks and still be ok. So saying samples don't get picked up on time is rubbish.
Ask them to confirm with the cytology labs.

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Wishiwasonholiday1 · 24/09/2018 11:43

I used to get mine done at a Well Woman clinic in a hospital, which was a drop in, I don't know if they still exist?

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TheHeartOfTafiti · 24/09/2018 11:49

I can understand why they don't do them on a friday but the 'ring on the day' system is daft and exclusionary - I would write to the practice manager and ask how this can be resolved. You have been more pro-active in trying to solve this than most women would be, so there must be lots who just give up and go without.

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shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 24/09/2018 11:51

That is ridiculous

You should be able to book for a smear with the practice nurse in advance

I would complain to the practice manager

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xandersmom2 · 24/09/2018 11:57

Guessing here that they have major issues with qualified staff only being available at certain times (if their only trained nurse only works part-time etc....).

As someone who is massively invested in getting ladies to have their smears done, and certainly in them being able to get them done if they want them, then I'd suggest also writing to the CCG and complaining / asking what they suggest. They'll be interested because worst case scenario, a smear delayed by anything other than the patient, could lead to legal action if said delay means the lady misses out on potential curative treatment.

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Satsumaeater · 24/09/2018 11:59

You should be able to book for a smear with the practice nurse in advance

Make a written complaint.

Can you not book any appointments in advance? What do you do for routine appointments like "renewing" contraception for example where you don't need it today, but you will need it in 3 weeks' time?

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BlueBug45 · 24/09/2018 12:00

OP when it was time for my smear rest I got a letter listing all the local places which included family planning clinics that did them. Have you asked at your reception what other places do them locally? If there is no where else then put in a complaint about being unable to book in appointments for non-emergency routine treatments. My GP practice makes you book in appointments for smears, health checks, vaccinations, antenatal, etc as they take a fixed time and the GPs/nurses/healthcare assistants know what they are dealing with.

@Bombardier25966 but they are making it difficult for the OP. 3 out of the 4 practices I've belonged to in the past 15 years have had appointments between 7.30am-8.30am specifically for working people. All the practices I have belonged make you make appointments for smears tests etc.

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Doyoumind · 24/09/2018 12:06

That doesn't make any sense. Surely there need to be appointments with nurses you can book in advance for many reasons, not just smears. I would definitely write and complain. Emergency appointment should be for emergencies, not for this kind of thing.

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FinallyFree123456789 · 24/09/2018 12:11

We had the same silly policy at my doctors. However, smear tests they allow you to book in advance by 2 weeks around your cycle etc.

Please don't leave this - ring them and demand to speak to the reception manager.
I left my smear test and have just gone through treatment for stage 1 cervical cancer - I'm only 29 - please file a complaint and keep on at them

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DubaiismyBlackpool · 24/09/2018 12:32

Know the feeling. I was on hold for so long, I had arrived at the surgery before my call was answered. I thought, its ok, I'll just book an appointment while I'm here.

No, you have to call on the phone and wait. But as all the appointments for that day had been taken, I would have to call again tomorrow! I gave up after calling several times and being on hold.

A while later, a letter came telling me my smear was due. I called, call was answered, but it would be 4 weeks 'til the appointment or I could have one at the special smear clinic a few days later!! Hurrah. Duly made said appointment.

They called the day before to cancel. And then it was 6 weeks before they could see me.
THEN, I had a missed call from them the next day - the appointment they had cancelled - asking me why I hadn't kept the appointment.

I'm going to have to be brave and try again aren't I?

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Ollivander84 · 24/09/2018 15:02

I'm 3 months late for my smear. They can't get me in on a day off so I tried to book on a day I've taken off work to be told it's too far ahead. So I'm ringing back this week and I bet the appointments for that day will have gone
Plus trying to book it around my cycle when my periods last 8 days and I work shifts
I only get my rota for 2 weeks in advance and the doctors can't give me anything until 3 weeks later (but not 4 weeks as that's too far ahead!)

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Roomba · 24/09/2018 15:05

Can you book an appointment at a family planning clinic? It does seem ridiculous to me that you can't book in advance and have to ring on the day. Then if they're anything like my GP they will hound you for being overdue and threaten to deregister you if you don't have one asap!

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BrownPaperTeddy · 24/09/2018 15:05

It's not them making it difficult though, is it?

How is it not them making it difficult?

What a ridiculous set up for anyone that works. How many of us can take multiple days off work in order to phone up every day on the off chance if an appointment?

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WeLoveFlowers · 24/09/2018 15:07

I feel your pain! YANBU

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Lymphy · 24/09/2018 15:24

It's so infuriating! Go to sexual health they usually have late eve appointments.

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