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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:
welliesarefuntowear · 13/09/2021 09:40

There are always ways to contact your gp surgery online. It's in the contract.

Why today if you've been struggling for months? I work in a GP surgery. Phones are ringing off the hook. We have staff shortages. We are trying to book in flu clinics. Deal with queries about blood tests. Covid vaccines. There are no extra staff. This is all extra work. That's why you can't get through. Given the fact that you won't wait till say Wednesday afternoon when hours are likely to get a far less stressed clinician available to talk to you properly about your symptoms I can't understand why you won't just wait a couple of days.

Monday's are so very difficult in a GP surgery. I can't even begin to explain how much the system cannot cope with the demands. This is not a slight on the OP or anyone. It's simply a fact.

PastelGiraffe · 13/09/2021 09:42

OP in case it helps, I’m pretty sure the blood test you’re referring to has to be done in days 1-3, ideally 1-2, of your cycle, otherwise the results are meaningless.

I’m under 45 myself and had the same tests and it’s challenging knowing when day 1-3 will be on an irregular cycle and then trying to get through to book an appointment within that window!

Sorry you feel rubbish, but just worth bearing in mind that you may be better waiting until the start of your cycle to do this anyway.

(Equally you may already be aware of this!)

Original poster
IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 09:42

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy how wonderful that you have full knowledge of my medical history. Thank you so much for telling me this isn’t urgent, that’s completely put my mind at rest.

You really shouldn’t make assumptions about people’s health and what might or might not be life threatening to them.

OP posts:
MamaTutu2 · 13/09/2021 09:43

@IAmADancer would you consider something like LIVI or GP at hand? If so, you can probably be seen this week,

KingsleyShacklebolt · 13/09/2021 09:44

here are always ways to contact your gp surgery online. It's in the contract.

Perhaps in England but not in my part of the UK. No email on the website. No online form. No online ANYTHING, you even have to ring up for a repeat prescription. Once during lockdown I was asked to send a photo by email and the address was something like [email protected] - hardly user friendly.

Original poster
IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 09:45

Thank you everyone for all your kind comments.

Unfortunately the only way to access the GP is to call them, they don’t give out email or book appointments by email. You can’t Pre book an appointment and you just have to call in the morning. It is as busy which ever day of the week you call.

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 09:46

I think my only option is to pay to go private and access care that way.

OP posts:
MsHedgehog · 13/09/2021 09:47

Can you go tomorrow morning when phone lines open and book in person? So you manage to speak to a receptionist instead of waiting to get through?

itsanamechangetonight · 13/09/2021 09:48

@IAmADancer

I think my only option is to pay to go private and access care that way.
If you have pre existing symptoms or conditions they don't help, I don't know if it'd be the same for menopause as I guess most women go through that but I couldn't go private as had pre existing symptoms even though I don't have a diagnosis.
gotalottolose · 13/09/2021 09:48

That’s shit OP. At our surgery, we get stuck in a queue, listen to screeching music for an hour, then get a robotic voice saying ‘goodbye’ and that’s that. Great for when you’re having a mental health crisis.

MsHedgehog · 13/09/2021 09:48

Also, when I had this with my GP, I would keep pressing redial on different phones. For some reason, my second phone seemed to get through first.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/09/2021 09:49

Do you have a walk in centre nearby? Ours is excellent. As others have mentioned, there is a shortage of vials atm but if they are able they will do it for you.

Embroidery · 13/09/2021 09:50

Try 111. Thatll get you somewhere.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/09/2021 09:50

For all of those saying menopause symptoms are not urgent, they can and do mask other, serious issues.

wendz86 · 13/09/2021 09:51

I have tried calling my gp's on 3 different days in the last week and around 40-50 tries each time and not got through. You can't book a normal appointment, has to be an 'urgent' appointment . If you ring any other time than 8 am you get told to ring back at 8 am. It is crazy.

GoodnightGrandma · 13/09/2021 09:51

@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
I had my non-urgent bloods done last week. I asked the phlebotomist about the shortage and she said that it wasn’t affecting them.
vodkaredbullgirl · 13/09/2021 09:52

200 times really. Is there an online form, you can fill in? Do you have a menopause clinic near you?

YourFinestPantaloons · 13/09/2021 09:52

This is why I go in to the GP for appointments now, it's a while away but by the time I've got there it's quicker than waiting in the phone

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 13/09/2021 09:53

Our surgery has 'engage consult' where you email and they ring you back to discuss. Does your surgery have something similar?

Embroidery · 13/09/2021 09:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

nancy75 · 13/09/2021 09:54

Most surgery’s have moved to offering an online thing where you email & they then reply/call/arrange appointment, lots also now have a ‘call back’ queue.
If you are able I would consider changing surgery to one that is more accessible. The NHS seems to be drowning at the moment so I can’t imagine your access to a doctor will get any easier at this surgery any time soon.
I hope you get something sorted soon

Arepeoplereallycoolaboutthis · 13/09/2021 09:54

Could you log a call with 111? I'm sure a copy of your call log is sent to the GP with advice to them on patient next steps. I.e. "GP: call within 1 day/1 week".

Worth a try?

I've been there OP and it is extremely frustrating.

TheyWentToSeaInASieve · 13/09/2021 09:54

This is the NHS all over. I am so sorry you are going through this, OP. Flowers

Cocolapew · 13/09/2021 09:54

My surgery is the same, I rang 244 times once only to be told there were no phone appointments left.
They don't take emails.
They don't book you in for another day.
Its an engaged tone not a queuing system.
If you get through and on the call list theres no guarantee they will phone back anyway.

maddening · 13/09/2021 09:55

The phone systems are evidently naff and not fit for purpose, the OPs experience is not unique. Why we can't go on a wait list for an appointment rather than phoning back I don't know. It would mean that:

1 it ends the phone lottery every morning
2 the surgery can see demand requirements more clearly
3 the phone can be open for "emergency" appointments

Unfortunately the current admin staff at most surgeries do not seem able to think outside the box or sufficiently engineer a more efficient practice for dealing with their work stream and this incompetence is letting the patients and the NHS down.