at the fiasco of getting a Dr.s appointment???

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

DS3 has had a bit of a cough for a few days, but over the weekend it started to sound quite chesty.

Now, When DS1 was a baby he was extremely prone to chest infections whenever he got a cough/cold. So much so that he had an inhaler to use during his colds, and every time he got a cough/cold he ended up on antibiotics (which always helped clear the infection up quickly). At one point I said to the Dr. that I felt like a neurotic mother taking my DS to the doctors every time he got a cold.....but he assured me I was doing the right thing as he did always have a chest infection. Although he NEVER had a temperature, or any other symptoms.

Thankfully he started to "grow out" of his tendency towards them by the time he was 3/4 and now is usually fine.

So - with all of that in mind I decided to err on the side of caution with DS3 and get him a Dr.s appointment - he sounded "rattly" like DS1 used to and I figured if it was an infection it was better to get it sorted now rather than waiting a few days (bearing in mind he's only just 4 months old).

This morning at 8.30 (time the surgery opens) I got on the phone, for the first 6 minutes I just got an engaged tone. Then I did eventually get through to the automated system...pushed "2" for appointments and waited another 2 minutes for someone to pick up. I was then told "sorry you have to push "1" for emergency appointments - I'll put you through". 6 minutes later I was still being told that someone would answer soon.....

I then had to take DS1 to school. Came back and restarted the process - sat in the "queue" from 8.50 until 9.10!! Then got fed up and used the number "2" option and told the woman I was fed up of waiting and wanted an appointment for my son (I made it pretty clear that I wasn't going to take no for an answer)....by this time the first emergency appointment available was at 11.20.

11am I left the house with DS2 (who's missed his first "proper" day at nursery as he was sick last night and had the runs this morning). Got there at 11.20 and was given my "number"....it was number 14 and they were only on to number 7!!

After a very long wait, and lots of crying from DS3, a bottle of milk and a sleep later we were finally seen at 12.25!!! Not so much as a "sorry to keep you waiting" (which was all that I would have needed to be appeased).

I explained the history with DS1 to the Dr. and said that I was just erring on the side of caution. She took his temp (normal, everything else "normal" - just like DS1 used to be) and listened to his chest. She said that there was some noise in his upper airway and that it was "probably viral and could last for 6-8 weeks). "However, I can give you antibiotics in case it is bacterial"...

I took her up on her offer and hot footed it to the chemist next door. Where I waited for another 20 minutes for the prescription. And then had the 20 minute walk home with DS2.

So in total it's taken nearly 3hrs out of my day for a 5 minute appointment where the Dr treated me like an idiot

I hate doctors sometimes for this very reason

DS has a similar history except he had croup instead of chest infections and ended on steroids most of the time.

I hate the way they don't apologise either and what would have happened if you were 2 or 3 minutes late - the time would have passed for the appointment and you'd have had to beg to get seen.... the other way round though is totally different

grrr!

I know this isn't going to console you but I had a GOOD experience at the doctor's last week. I arrived with all 3 DS's for an appointment for DS2. When we arrived the receptionist said she was very sorry but there was a wait of at least 45 minutes as the doctor was overrunning. I must have looked aghast because she said if it was more convenient I could make another appointment and within reason could name my time! When we arrived for the rescheduled appointment the GP apologised to DS2 for running late previously and explained that somedays things don't go to plan. I was very impressed.

TQOQ 'where the Dr treated me like an idiot' ... it has happened sooo many times to me, in fact almost everytime. even when I went after I found out I was pg he told me I was there too early and should have waited, just in case. .

my theory is that doctors and solicitors will do their best to make if feel like an idiot in the most patronising way.

usually the Dr.s at our surgery aren't too bad (although I can't stand the one I'm actually "registered" with lol) - but she really got on my tits.

yes, we have that queuing system but then don't get the offer of emergency appointments. Either you book one for a week in advance or you get one on the day but you have to call at 8.30 and wait in the queue and normally, if you do the school run, by the time you get through, all the appointments have gone.

It must have done wonders for doctors visits though because we haven't been for AGES because it is too much hassle. Either we get better or become horrendously poorly!

I reckon lots of people give up and either go to walk-in clinics or A&Es (would bet money that they have seen admissions go up since GPs started using this system).

I had a day like that last week, my appointment was at 11 am and I was seen at11.40. I went to see her because my fibroids have been sore - or at least that's what I think it is, and I need to get another scan (long story). She actually said to me "I'll just refer you to Haslar, and they can check you out, I don't have time to examine you today".
Another time I was seen 30 minutes after my appoinment time, i wnanted to discuss with my GP about my Fibromyalgia and how it is starting to impact on my life , and to ask for a physio appointment so i could see about getting a walking stick,and he said "I don't have time to sit here and read your case notes, wait until you have been to the pain clinic and see what they say"
This is the doctors that want £90+ to get a signature on my medical note for OFSTED

They have an emergency appointment system, which I tried to use once for DS2 and they offered me one in 5 minutes from the time I phoned, even though I said there was no car and I am a good 20 minute walk away. I tried to amke an appointment for himt oday and have been offered one three weeks away!

I suppose the queuing on the phone thing was particularly bad today (although it's the same two people who answer the phone lol). However the waiting room was PACKED when I got there - there's usually plenty of seats for everyone, but today lots of people were standing. Still made me mad that no apology of any description was offered....

I think Dr's surgerys are always busy on Mondays though aren't they? I think my problem is that I spent 4 years as a patient in a medical centre on a military base, and if I phoned at any time I was offered an appointment that day if I wanted one - spoilt really . The receptionists in the Doctor we have registered with are awful and they keep saying to me "Sorry, what did you say, i can't understand your accent"

I've been down on Monday's many times before (my children seem to like to fall ill at 6pm on Friday night - never quite bad enough to take them to out of hours but bad enough to need a Dr. first thing Monday am )