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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - I have called the GP over 200 times this morning

540 replies

IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 09:12

Just that. I need to get a blood test referral for menopause symptoms but I can’t get through. I started calling at 8am and have called over 200 times. It’s still engaged.

I know that if I call back at 10am when it’s quieter they will tell me there are no appointments and to call back tomorrow. Then you go through the same routine all over again. I just want to access basic care. Feeling very frustrated

OP posts:
Ellerehj · 13/09/2021 09:14

Monday morning is always the worst time to call. Do you have access to the LIVI app at all? Or some surgeries now have online forms for enquiries.

If you keep calling it's just going to make you feel frustrated. Unfortunately the NHS are always under pressure. We all just have to wait to be seen I guess Confused

MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 13/09/2021 09:15

There is a national shortage of blood test containers and only essential or urgent bloods are being done. Does yours fit this criteria do you know? If not you will likely have to wait

eeyore228 · 13/09/2021 09:15

Sadly the system is overloaded. I can guarantee that like many surgeries there are thousands of people all wanting to see someone. They are obviously very busy. My friend had exactly the same issue this morning.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 13/09/2021 09:16

200 times in an hour? That means you spent 3 seconds per phone call. Have you tried holding on to see if you get an answer? You are probably in a queue, and every time to hang up you lose your place in it.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 13/09/2021 09:17

There is a national shortage of blood test containers and only essential or urgent bloods are being done. Does yours fit this criteria do you know? If not you will likely have to wait

OP still needs to get through to her GP though.

Bigtruth · 13/09/2021 09:17

You don't need an emergency same day appointment for menopause symptoms. Call at 9 or 10 and book yourself in.

It's people like you who cause the whole backlog I'm afraid, desperate for same day appointments for stuff like this.

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2021 09:18

First thing Monday morning is a bad idea to chat about a non-urgent test - the urgent medical calls should be taking priority, plus you'll probably be refused one because of the national shortage on blood test vials.... Can you email them to ask what your options are?

louisvillelou · 13/09/2021 09:18

Is there any way you can give the surgery feedback and suggest they implement a phone queue system?

My surgery took the queue away at one point and fairly swiftly reinstated it as it is so helpful for patients to know how long they’re likely to be waiting.

Cyclingforcake · 13/09/2021 09:18

I’d be really surprised if they’ll do a blood test at the moment. There is a national (possible worldwide) shortage of blood bottles and they are being prioritised for urgent cases. Not trying to discourage you from speaking to your GP but maybe call the receptionist later today to find out what the situation is in your area. Might save your blood pressure fro rising as you hear redial again and again!

Cyclingforcake · 13/09/2021 09:19

Cross posted with everyone!

Standrewsschool · 13/09/2021 09:20

Does your surgery have a system whereby you can submit your symptoms online? Monday’s are always busy. Can you calllaterin the week, or ask for a routine appointment for later this week or next, rather than on the day.

Also, there’s a national blood bottle shortage so blood tests for menopausal symptoms may not be happening at the moment.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/09/2021 09:20

I couldn't even access the queue on the line this morning, it was just permenantly engaged. Off to urgent care now .

Orchidflower1 · 13/09/2021 09:20

Yes it’s annoying that you can’t get through but Monday morning is notoriously busy. Call back later- it’s not urgent.

KingsleyShacklebolt · 13/09/2021 09:21

@MyMushroomsInATimeSlip

There is a national shortage of blood test containers and only essential or urgent bloods are being done. Does yours fit this criteria do you know? If not you will likely have to wait
Not necessarily.

I had bloods taken for exactly the same reason as the OP last Wednesday. No questions asked, GP suggested the bloods when we spoke without me suggesting it first.

Not all GP practices have apps, or online appointments. Ours is definitely a "ring and make an appointment one".

MaggieFS · 13/09/2021 09:21

How annoying. Does you GP have a way you can book non urgent appointments? I know exactly what you mean about if you don't get through in the first 45 minutes of a day there being no appointments left for the same day.

I would suggest you try again tomorrow as Mondays are always busiest and if you can't get a non urgent appointment try and speak to the practice manager or ask about the complaints procedure. Don't be fobbed off by the receptionist.

Rosebel · 13/09/2021 09:21

Surely if you call back at 10 they can book you an appointment for a few days time. Is it essential it's done today? Thats if they consider your blood test essential. A lot of blood tests aren't being done at the moment.
I know how annoying it is trying to get through in the morning though. Our GP always seems to be engaged too.

sunshineandshowers21 · 13/09/2021 09:21

@Greenandcabbagelooking if it’s anything like my doctors, if there’s too many callers it just beeps and cuts you off. you have to just keep pressing the call button until it rings.

user1471465608 · 13/09/2021 09:22

How old are you OP? Doctors don't normally do blood tests for menopausal symptoms if over 45 as they usually aren't necessary. As above with the national blood bottle shortage only very urgent blood tests can be done at the moment.

But if you want to contact your GP, to avoid the phone queue do they have an econsult option their website?

Sh05 · 13/09/2021 09:23

If it's a non emergency blood test, you won't get an appointment until after the 17 th anyway because of the blood bottle shortage. My GP told me to call after the 17th as they've been advised to only book emergency blood tests until then.

RB68 · 13/09/2021 09:25

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cravingmilkshake · 13/09/2021 09:26

Just go in their website and email them.

MsHedgehog · 13/09/2021 09:26

@Greenandcabbagelooking

200 times in an hour? That means you spent 3 seconds per phone call. Have you tried holding on to see if you get an answer? You are probably in a queue, and every time to hang up you lose your place in it.
I suspect OP means she can’t even join the queue, hence why she keeps redialling. When I’ve called mine first thing in the morning in the past, I keep getting an engaged tone until I finally join the queue.
Original poster
IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 09:26

Just to answer a few questions

When you call my surgery it goes straight through to busy tone so you can’t hold in a queue and wait for a place. You just have to keep calling back until it clicks into the actual surgery system where it gives you options to go through to various departments.

My surgery is not taking advance bookings, only bookings on the day. They used to release appointments via the nhs app to book but have stopped that.

Also for those saying it’s not urgent, no offence but you are not me. I haven’t slept properly in over a month. I am exhausted and struggling to function properly. Being able to access something as basic as a blood test to find out what’s happening shouldn’t be this hard. Not sleeping is debilitating and due to another condition that I have I need to speak to a GP to be able to discuss what the best way forward would be.

OP posts:
KingsleyShacklebolt · 13/09/2021 09:28

@cravingmilkshake

Just go in their website and email them.
You are aware that many surgeries don't offer that option?

All these "you won't get it because of shortages" "you won't get menopause bloods if you're over 45" - nonsense.

I had bloods done on Wednesday. And I'm 49.

Keep phoning OP, but perhaps later in the afternoon. If you're clear that you need to see a nurse/phlebotomist rather than the doctor you might have more luck.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 13/09/2021 09:28

Check your surgery website - there will usually be a way to submit an e-consult, or to book an online appointment if your area subscribes to Livi or similar, if you want to discuss your symptoms.

However you are highly unlikely to get a blood test request today due to the national severe shortage of blood test tubes. So if you solely want a blood test, there is no point in booking an appointment now.