To ask what can be done if you hate your GP

[Doublethecars]

My gl surgery are awful not just my view it’s the view of many. The only other surgery in the area has had its list closed since February now. Is there a way to be allocated to another

GP

There is no GP surgery doing great at present. Delays and problems with almost all and that booking system that everyone hates seems to be universal now. Yours might not be as bad as you think but might be pretty standard sadly

Sounds silly but trying to be more understanding of the system they are working in and try not to project feelings of ‘hate’ onto them? If you approach things as ‘working with them’ you may get further. Or pay privately?

Nothing unless you pay privately.

Yes hut I’ve never had a GP surgery so awful

What is it you hate about them? I'm probably in the minority here but I feel like my GP have improved through the pandemic. Although I do constantly see people complaining about them on my local FB page and asking for recommendations on new surgeries to join, I haven't had any issues. The new triage system has been brilliant and I've had 2 face to face appointments when one probably could have been done over the phone, they wanted to see me just incase. I actually cried after my appointment last week because for the first time in my life, my issues were taken seriously and I wasn't treated like a hypochondriac or hysterical woman.

I really feel for the GP's right now, they are under massive amounts of stress and seem to be getting abuse from everyone. They are only human just like us. A young GP in my local area tragically took her own life a few weeks ago and it's made me really reflect on the pressures they must be facing daily. I really wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now.

If you can afford to go private then you should. It's probably the only way around your issues.

Have you gone through the complaints/ feedback procedure of the GP surgery? They will probably have details of how to do it on the website/ a leaflet in the surgery? Alternatively write to the practice manager. If no one complains they wont know that the patients (their customers) are not happy.

Its also worth contacting the Patients Participation Group at the surgery to raise your concerns - they liaise with the GPs and practice staff to provide feedback and raise concerns.

If these fail its worth contacting the clinical commissioning group for your area - do a google seach - this is the body responsible for overseeing GPs and care in your area and so they may be able to help.

If you dont feedback and raise concerns they will never know and so cant make improvements - even if ultinately they say that the problem is a lack of resources/ GPs this will be noted and may eventually lead to more funding going to the NHS in your area

Good luck!

Go Private

I've changed from an abysmal practice to a slightly less abysmal one, but generally the NHS is just being run very badly. The GPs are dismissing patients before listening to them, meaning short consultations multiply rather than taking them time to get to the bottom of things first time round. You constantly feel rushed and don't have the time to raise legitimate concerns. Unfortunately, private consultations are the only way to go at the moment and it's super tough for those who can't afford it.

Tried to do that a few years ago. Was told by the local oversight group I had to just call round and find another one but the first question I was asked each time was had I just moved into the area and the second (since I hadnt) was why did I want to change doctor. When I told the truth I was immediately told no. I think they see you as some sort of troublemaker. When I did move and got a new doctor i was immediately referred to hospital for two different issues. Shame it was too late for a third issue with hrt - previous doctor actually said to me " I thought you women like to bleed" when I complained about continuous bleeding on one version of hrt!!

The GPs are dismissing patients before listening to them, meaning short consultations multiply rather than taking them time to get to the bottom of things first time round

This is the key point. GPs assume everyone is a time-waster. I appreciate how cynical they must be - some people are really stupid - but their job should be to take every patient seriously.

There are multiple reasons why they don’t answer the phone ever. Lost my repeat prescription slip then made me wait longer for medication that I had requested in good time. Very difficult to get an appointment including for stomach pain a three week wait, I’m not normally one to mon about GP’/ and apart from this practice I’ve had a good experience so really to me that says how bad things are.