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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:
Xiaoxiong · 13/09/2021 11:09

@placemats if her surgery is anything like mine, when the queue is full you just are cut off. No queue to wait in. Only thing you can do is immediately ring again. It's fastest finger first.

I usually bank on at least 50-60 attempts of calling BEFORE I manage to get in the queue. From there, it's probably another 20 mins on hold.

Original poster
IAmADancer · 13/09/2021 11:09

@Loubilou09 thank you, will have a look at this

OP posts:
IDidNotSignUpForThis · 13/09/2021 11:09

Also meant to say- you have every right to seek help OP. Best wishes 💐

BigWoollyJumpers · 13/09/2021 11:10

All those pp's who have terrible service from their GP's. Why don't you move? There is no obligation to go to your local GP, you can literally register wherever, closer to work for example. Find one that has on-line access, email requests for phone-backs etc etc. Holding on the phone for hours is unacceptable, and bad management.

MsHedgehog · 13/09/2021 11:10

@placemats

Who are all these other people getting through before you though OP? Seriously.

Or do you not want to wait in the queue?

FFS @placemats. Read the bloody thread!

The issue is you cannot get into the queue at all, because the phone line is engaged! You have to keep trying and trying in the hope you get through in the first place to join the queue!

Why are you being so patronising to OP, without reading what’s happened?

FiveShelties · 13/09/2021 11:11

Why have GPs gone to this system where you can not book an appointment for a few days ahead? I cannot imagine how awful it must be to take phone calls from someone who has been trying to get through for days, let alone how angry patients must get ringing and ringing.

LukeEvansWife · 13/09/2021 11:12

All those pp's who have terrible service from their GP's. Why don't you move?

Because most of the individual practices in our town have merged so there is a lack of choice and they are all snowed under.

HonorHiding · 13/09/2021 11:13

My surgery seems to have dispensed with human receptionists entirely and relies only on E-consult.

It is a nightmare. You can’t book a routine appointment (smear, medications review etc) because you don’t have symptoms so can’t even complete the first page of the e-form. There is no option to book a routine appointment for a person without symptoms.

If you do have symptoms the form can be something like 14 pages long and requires details of one’s whole medical history (every surgery included) and also parents’ cardiac conditions or cancer history. Then it often decides your (or at least my) symptoms are too “red-flag” to be dealt with online, deletes everything you’ve input and tells you to call your doctor, which isn’t possible as the phone line is just a recorded message telling you to use E-consult.

It is hopeless.

LukeEvansWife · 13/09/2021 11:14

Why have GPs gone to this system where you can not book an appointment for a few days ahead?

We have had this system for several years. I keep getting text reminders to book a smear but can't get through when I eventually pluck up courage to phone. I have various conditions but have stopped trying to get appointments unless its an absolute emergency.

MrsMaizel · 13/09/2021 11:14

@IAmADancer

I think my only option is to pay to go private and access care that way.
If you can afford to do so then I would . It might be about 150 to see the doc . They can ask you for blood tests and then you go to the NHS and pay as a private patient . It was about 100 Pounds for all the hormone ones I needed. It's cheaper to do this than to use private hospital blood services - in fact it was my doctor who recommended it .
badpuma · 13/09/2021 11:14

@placemats

Who are all these other people getting through before you though OP? Seriously.

Or do you not want to wait in the queue?

Many GP practices do not have a queue. They have an engaged tone and cut off the call.
lockdownmadnessdotcom · 13/09/2021 11:15

@BigWoollyJumpers

All those pp's who have terrible service from their GP's. Why don't you move? There is no obligation to go to your local GP, you can literally register wherever, closer to work for example. Find one that has on-line access, email requests for phone-backs etc etc. Holding on the phone for hours is unacceptable, and bad management.
Not true, they have catchment areas and you can only go to the ones who cover your area. Choice is illusion.
LukeEvansWife · 13/09/2021 11:15

I am genuinely surprised that people don't realise what a shit show a lot of surgeries are.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 13/09/2021 11:15

There are some very unkind people on this thread. Many of the menopause symptoms could be symptoms of something much more serious. If menopause is ruled out as the cause, then further investigations will be needed.
So it IS important. but not urgent for today, I'd try tomorrow as may be quieter.
If not, have you spoken to 111 and asked for advice?

thevassal · 13/09/2021 11:16

Everyone assuming OPs doctors surgery works in exactly the same as theirs Hmm rather than giving her the benefit of the doubt that she knows how her own surgery works and isn't stupid enough to hang up when the phone is ringing after 3 seconds!

Mine is exactly the same as hers-there is no queue and you can't make appointments in advance. They used to have an online questionnaire for a dr to review and call back but for some reason got rid if it! Its ridiculous but there you are. So no advice just commiseration!

crochetmonkey74 · 13/09/2021 11:17

@Ilovegreentomatoes

More proof this country has gone to shit. Honestly if we are told of for wanting to access something as basic as healthcare then it worries me for the future.
This x 100

but also the ingrained misogyny of it

Child is ill- OP don't tarry, if you are at all worried, get yourself to 111/A&E- it's not worth the risk

Husband ill- Give the doctor a call - we know those silly men just won't see a doctor so we must look after them

Women - you pathetic selfish harridan- just put up and shut up- it's people like you who are crippling the NHS (not successive jobs for the boys governments selling it off by stealth)

brittleheadgirl · 13/09/2021 11:17

God there are some nob heads on this thread and an amazing amount of 'health professionals' giving inaccurate advice.

Did I miss the part where op said she'd called 999 to book her blood test? Thought not, she was calling her surgery for something completely appropriate and is in no way time wasting.

Honestly, some people are either stupid, nasty or both op. Not a great combination!
@IAmADancer I really hope you get the help you need soon, menopause symptoms can be completely debilitating and I'm shocked that other women on here are being so dismissive Thanks

Becca19962014 · 13/09/2021 11:17

My GP surgery just cuts you off. No queue.

Like I said it was costing those on non free calls a fortune to wait for it to be answered literally just listening to recorded messages.

XenoBitch · 13/09/2021 11:17

@BigWoollyJumpers

All those pp's who have terrible service from their GP's. Why don't you move? There is no obligation to go to your local GP, you can literally register wherever, closer to work for example. Find one that has on-line access, email requests for phone-backs etc etc. Holding on the phone for hours is unacceptable, and bad management.
The GPs where I live have a catchment area (as far as I know, that is normal everywhere).
Becca19962014 · 13/09/2021 11:18

@BigWoollyJumpers all the surgeries in my area run the same system. It's dictated by the healthboard. Unless you literally move hundred miles away and then under another healthboard who may have the same rules.

TrickyD · 13/09/2021 11:18

I am due for a Diabetes Type 2 check up on Wednesday. This was the earliest appointment available when I booked it following an invitation letter in May.
I shall be surprised if they do the blood test given the apparent shortages of tubes. However early morning pee should be OK . It will be in a little jam jar though, the surgery won't let you pop in to pick up a proper container.

MrsMaizel · 13/09/2021 11:19

@MsHedgehog

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.
and people wonder why they can't get through 🙄
mynameisbrian · 13/09/2021 11:19

See if they have a practice email address. That is what i used for some things as they too only offer on day appointments. Its complete pot luck whether you can actually get an appoitnment or not.

AtLeastPretendToCare · 13/09/2021 11:19

This is what happens when GPs won’t do pre-booked appointments, people get squeezed out.

I have certain health issues where I don’t need an urgent appointment but I do need occasional appointments. Scheduling it for say next week would be fine. If they won’t let me pre-book ever then what am I meant to do apart from join the genuinely urgent at 8am trying to get an appointment? Or go private.

MsHedgehog · 13/09/2021 11:21

@MrsMaizel Do you even understand what getting through means in the context of this thread...?