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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctors and appointments

50 replies

Niffler92 · 10/09/2021 16:33

Called doctors two weeks ago to get an appointment for breast pain I’ve been having a while but is getting worse. Told I’d have to wait two weeks for a phone appointment, explained to the receptionist that I thought I’d need seen but no that’s the system.

Phone appointment today and sure enough I have to wait another two weeks now to see a person.

How long do you wait for doctors appointments?

OP posts:
Dave20 · 10/09/2021 22:54

Surely doctors want to see patients face to face?Isnt that why they practice? Sorry, this is in relation to the poster who said that a poll said 80% of doctors don’t want to go back to face to face appointments...
How can a doctor really know what’s going on unless they physically see it?
The flip side is some people will just go to A and E and be seen there.

Dave20 · 10/09/2021 22:59

I know there’s a shortage of doctors ( like everything else it seems) but the receptionists seem to make it damn near impossible to see a doctor.
I really miss the days when you could phone and see a doctor, within a few days. Everything in life is just so difficult nowadays. Some of the receptionists must love working in an empty surgery, I bet they get to see a doctor whenever they want...

AnnaSW1 · 10/09/2021 23:01

Same day here

Theunamedcat · 10/09/2021 23:05

Sorry to hear this but have you changed your bra? I have one breast slightly bigger than the other and if I wear an old or ill fitting bra my bigger one hurts its painful ive been examined lots of times we finally figured out that it happens when I need a new bra

Original poster
Niffler92 · 11/09/2021 07:40

@Snufkin2 do you know what happens next, if the doctor examines me and doesn’t find anything do I just have to live with it? I tried to ask the GP & he started to get angry with me for asking questions, it is was very much ‘now now let’s just take this one step at a time dear!’

OP posts:
Original poster
Niffler92 · 11/09/2021 07:43

@Newhorizon21 I’ve had the pain for months it started of as a cyclical thing and now is constant deep breast pain, he also gave me a lecture on how if it’s not bad enough for pain killers it’s not that bad. Tried to explain no it’s a low level deep pain all day everyday but if I bump it or anything it’s very painful but passes quickly he couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t take daily pain killers for it.’

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 11/09/2021 07:47

I don’t understand why they’re still insisting on the phone call first. I’ve been twice about two different things recently, both needed an actual visit the same day.
Instead of doing my phone calls they could have seen someone.

Original poster
Niffler92 · 11/09/2021 07:47

@AnnaSW1 used to live in an area with same day appointments it was great. When I apologised for getting annoyed I said it was because I was used to living somewhere with same day appointments but ‘that must have been some time ago no where has done that for years.’ I think I just didn’t hit it off with the guy he also blamed me for the fact he hadn’t been able to get me on the phone, that had the wrong number for me so I must have told them it wrong, despite calling me multiple times before, two of the numbers had got switched on my record not sure how that was my fault.

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 11/09/2021 07:48

Does the pin come and go with your period ?

GoodnightGrandma · 11/09/2021 07:48

*pain

Original poster
Niffler92 · 11/09/2021 07:48

@Theunamedcat I don’t think it’s a bra issue but I’ll have a look.

OP posts:
BarryTheKestrel · 11/09/2021 07:56

I called my gp at 8.30 am yesterday with UTI symptoms, the econsult wouldn't let me book anything via that for some reason. They called me back at 9.45, agreed it was a UTI and I had antibiotics by lunch time.

However my DM with the same surgery has been really unwell with some very concerning symptoms recently and couldn't get even a phone consultation for over 2 weeks. She ended up blue lighted to A&E where she is now being treated for a rare blood disorder.

The difference in care is night and day. I have no idea why.

User646326712 · 11/09/2021 07:58

Ring 111. They can log into your GPs system and book you an appointment.

Mintjulia · 11/09/2021 08:36

When I found a lump in 2019, I was seen in a couple of hours. I had to wait around until she had finished with everyone else but that was fine. Since then, ds needed an appt, took three days. We haven't needed anything since covid.

Rural practice though. I think city waiting times are longer.

Newhorizon21 · 11/09/2021 08:38

@Niffler92 being lectured isn't helpful, but perhaps try the first-time management advice given in the link above

A GP out of hours, via 111, appointment may be reassuring, but most cannot access the urgent referral system, if that is what you think you need.

Try to arrange a face-2-face appointment at your GP practice

Snufkin2 · 11/09/2021 09:41

[quote Niffler92]@Snufkin2 do you know what happens next, if the doctor examines me and doesn’t find anything do I just have to live with it? I tried to ask the GP & he started to get angry with me for asking questions, it is was very much ‘now now let’s just take this one step at a time dear!’[/quote]
Sorry, I didn't see your question till now. I would definitely want to examine you but neither you or I could feel any lumps or other changes, I would suggest checking bra fitting (as suggested by previous poster) reducing caffeine intake as that can have an impact, try paracetamol and/or anti-inflammatory gel. If it's worse at night try wearing a soft, non underwired bra in bed. Evening primrose or starflower oil can help but take up to 6 months to work. (Both have gamolenic acid, recommended dose for acute pain 240-320mg daily, reducing to maintenance dose of 80mg once it starts to work). If the above measures aren't working and the pain is severe and interfering with quality of life I would refer as there are some more specialist drugs that can be used. Also if you're over 50 I'd make sure you had an up to date mammogram (I'm guessing you're not as you mentioned the pain was cyclical initially)

toystoyseverywhere · 11/09/2021 12:03

It is still the same here as last year Have to call in the morning at a certain time and obviously explain what the issue is to reception so they can pass it onto the GP. The GP calls quite quickly in my experience and if it is something that needs to be seen and/or examined by them they arrange an appt time which can be not long after the phone call.

If it is a skin condition or similar, reception asks you to email some photos of it so they can pass onto the GP. You'll receive a phone call that day and the GP discusses it with you and does a prescription if required.

I know my practice is somewhat unique given others experience with long waits etc but I've found this way to be much more helpful for me as it massively cuts down on trying to arrange childcare and it is a lot simpler and works well for lots and myself. Also seems to have cut down a lot of waiting time also which is good so far especially when something is concerning or sore.

Other surgeries really don't seem to be doing as well as such long waits for unwell patients is very worrying.

thetaleunfolds · 11/09/2021 12:06

My doctors office is very good, in fairness. You can ONLY get same day appointments, they do not offer anything in advance. I call at 8:15am, sometimes it takes an hour to get through because they’re busy, but I’m guaranteeed to get a phone call back the afternoon. If the doctor then wants to see me I will be seen by 6pm. I’ve needed to go twice during covid and no problems either time

I wish more surgeries operated that way

Singinghollybob · 11/09/2021 12:26

@DayDate that's terrible you had to wait so long but obviously so glad the outcome was good.
So different to my experience last summer when I had a suspicious looking mole. I filled in the online consultation, the GP called me the next morning and asked for photos which I sent, she then straightaway referred me onto the 2 week pathway. Mine did turn out to be melanoma but I'm aghast at how delayed the diagnosis could have been listening to others' stories

Original poster
Niffler92 · 13/09/2021 08:32

@thetaleunfolds I used to live in an area with same day appointments, when I said this to my gp to explain my annoyance at waiting he said ‘well that must have been some time ago. No one does that anymore.’ I lived across the road from my surgery for a while so could pop over and get an appointment at 8 when they opened often for later in the day but sometimes straight away as the people on the phone couldn’t get there.

OP posts:
Bluskyenonstop · 09/10/2021 13:41

I got the same issue, just made a thread about it. Did you see Dr?

mangowithasqueezeoflime · 09/10/2021 15:19

If 92 is the year you were born, you might struggle to feel a lump anyway because the tissue is dense when you are young. Sorry they aren't taking this seriously. I'd complain.

WayshrineNotFound · 09/10/2021 15:32

I've thankfully not had any problems.

Our GP does do total triage by phone, but whenever we've had anything urgent, we've had a phone appt the same or the next day, and when needed to be seen, it's been on the same day as the phone call. I've also had no problems scheduling less urgent standard phone appointments well in advance for when I've needed or been recommended to have them - with the GP of our choice, too.

madisonbridges · 09/10/2021 17:29

@WayshrineNotFound

I've thankfully not had any problems.

Our GP does do total triage by phone, but whenever we've had anything urgent, we've had a phone appt the same or the next day, and when needed to be seen, it's been on the same day as the phone call. I've also had no problems scheduling less urgent standard phone appointments well in advance for when I've needed or been recommended to have them - with the GP of our choice, too.

This is pretty much what it's like with us, too.
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