Page 6 | To have expected an apology from the GP?

homewardbound2 · 2021-10-01T13:19:45+00:00

I had a face to face appointment with my GP this morning. The appointment was at 10am but they were running late, and I was finally called in at 10.45am. The GP didn't even mention the fact I'd had to sit around for 45 minutes, and barely acknowledged me when I came into the room - she gave me a quick glance, said "What's the issue" and then turned straight back to her screen whilst I explained. I know doctors are very busy, but AIBU to have expected a simple "Sorry for the wait, how can I help?"

stillcrazyafterall · 01/10/2021 20:14

My phone appt, due at 4pm finally came at 9.45pm. I just felt sorry for the GP!

SailYourShips · 01/10/2021 20:15

Honestly, in my circle GPs are fast becoming the new estate agent...the job we all despise.

Rightly so.

Lazy bastards

Original poster

homewardbound2 · 01/10/2021 20:15

At the end of the day it’s about treating your medical problems and not being a polite greeting service!

I get that, but it doesn’t help people with mental health issues open up, thereby making it harder to treat them. A little bit of warmth and kindness goes a long way IMO.

OP posts:

CurlyhairedAssassin · 01/10/2021 20:21

@Thatoldchestnutagain

I had 2 text messages from my surgery asking for me to make an appointment about the results from a consultant and my request for a repeat prescription...it took a while to get through, I was given a telephone appointment for an afternoon a week or so later (no time) the doctor phoned and said 'how can I help?' Makes you feel like they have made no effort to read your notes..so impersonal and uncaring

Blimey. Surely this must be a joke? The doctor asked you "how can I help?", a perfectly normal opening question for a GP, and you're complaining it's impersonal and uncaring.

Poor GPs just can't win when dealing with people like this.

Longdistance · 01/10/2021 20:27

Yes and no. The GP has probably had their fill with crappy patients since early morning and was pissed off. Lucky you had a f2f appointment. Mine was over the phone and I had to wait for a hospital appointment that never materialised. I went private through dhs work in the end. Though as a patient I wouldn’t bring it up with them.

Original poster

homewardbound2 · 01/10/2021 20:31

Lucky you had a f2f appointment.

I’m not sure why they wanted to see me f2f to be honest - the receptionist asked what was wrong, I said mental health issues and then got a call from another doctor saying they would book me in face to face. I was pleasantly surprised but in hindsight, I think I’d have preferred over the phone!

OP posts:

Hottubtimemachine · 01/10/2021 20:35

Genuine question- why do you think the GP was running late? I can tell you it’s not because they were playing golf or having their nails done.
They have TEN MINUTES to read your notes, hear your story, examine you, make a diagnosis from literally every single possible medical condition there is, make a treatment plan, arrange investigations or referrals, write the notes, clean the room. And repeat. 40+ times a day.

Hottubtimemachine · 01/10/2021 20:39

@SailYourShips ‘lazy bastards’
I literally have no words. Read the post above yours, GPs still calling patients at 9.45pm. Complete lazy bastards.

Osrie · 01/10/2021 20:47

You are lucky OP! At ours they have now put up a notice on their website stating that if you are given a for example 9.30am appointment it means you will get a call anytime before 1pm all being well. I guess they’d had complaints because this is not what people were being told when given a time. I just thank my lucky stars I don’t have to keep phoning every morning trying to get an appointment. Three plus times of trying, usually results in an eventual phone appointment now.

Mickarooni · 01/10/2021 21:04

@ChequerBoard

”As I said though - why should they be sorry, it's not their fault. They are doing their job.”

Does basic humanity and general politeness not exist on some people’s planets? I’m so glad my GP surgery aren’t like this. A quick, “thanks for waiting, how can I help?” is often spoken. I didn’t realise it was so rare.

I don’t need to say thank you when the GP hands my prescription. After all, it’s their job. I do so because I’m a mostly decent - I hope - person.

Mickarooni · 01/10/2021 21:08

@Bringonbaby3

I don’t think 45 minutes is that long to wait for an appointment…GPS are given 10 minutes per appointment and have to write up notes, prescribe and order tests in that time. It’s an impossible task. A lot of GPs are under huge stress because the system is completely overwhelmed. At the end of the day it’s about treating your medical problems and not being a polite greeting service!

Being polite, showing humanity and connecting with patients isn’t part and parcel of being a doctor?!

beansontoastwithcheeseplease · 01/10/2021 22:09

@homewardbound2

Lucky you had a f2f appointment.

I’m not sure why they wanted to see me f2f to be honest - the receptionist asked what was wrong, I said mental health issues and then got a call from another doctor saying they would book me in face to face. I was pleasantly surprised but in hindsight, I think I’d have preferred over the phone!

Really is no pleasuring some people

MissMaple82 · 01/10/2021 22:16

It's always been like this! I've never EVER been seen my a Dr at my appointment time - its to be expected - YABU

Boomshakalakaaaaa · 02/10/2021 06:48

I think we can all agree that saying "sorry I'm late" takes 2 seconds and is the polite thing to do. If you don't agree with that then you must be a bit of a dick tbh.

Secondly, I have a question for anyone who absolutely won't have a bad word said about GPs or the NHS: I have been given the very first appointment of the day dozens of times and more often than not the doctor has been late to see me. How and why? I've seen the doctor walk onto the premises after I've arrived (they've come through the waiting area) and then call me in after my appointment time. This has happened many times. I struggle to believe that GPs genuinely run late for genuine reasons when they start their day like that - if the first one is late then the whole day is behind schedule no? Is it that they know they're not going to see anyone on time so there's no point trying?

yetmorewaiting · 02/10/2021 07:14

It's been a while since I saw a GP - purely because I'm lucky enough not to have needed to - but I've never had an on time appointment, nor do I recall if they ever apologise for running late, I don't expect it and even less so now as twice GPs at the practice I go to have needed to spend waaay more than their 8 or 10 minute slot dealing with acute issues for my family and I so If they are running late it's probably because they've had someone or a string of patients before me who needed extra clinical time, it just the way it is.

Previous GP I did change from as while they were on the computer I happened to notice they weren't typing notes about my consultation but browsing ebay.

Lindaloo08 · 02/10/2021 07:46

I have never gone to the doctor and been seen on time, I've never had an apology and I don't expect one. I don't think doctor's appointments are fully in their control. I wouldn't like the doctor not looking at me but once they sort my issue I'd get over it. Hope the meds work for you OP

Pishybreeks · 02/10/2021 07:56

I work in a GP surgery, YANBU. As you say it takes 2 seconds to say 'sorry for your wait'. Yes we are busy and under pressure, but we even on the worst days you have to treat people with basic respect and courtesy, or you have no right to expect the same in return. And what she thought to gain by not engaging with you or trying to establish rapport I don't know.

I've stayed off all the GP threads as on mumsnet there seems to be polarised view of primary care just now either the gp is a poor downtrodden selfless individual who has struggled through adversity of the pandemic or (more commonly) they are lazy greedy entitled moaners who lock themselves away refusing to see patients and causing millions of deaths by neglect.

Runningwithoutstopping · 02/10/2021 07:59

The delay might well of been out of the GPS control but the way she presented herself to her patient definitely was in her control.
I hope the appointment has helped and doesn't put you of seeking future support if you need it.

PrivateHall · 02/10/2021 08:14

I am not a GP but do run clinics as a HCP and often run late due to; Patients arriving late, emergencies, needing to make referrals which takes time to get through to the hospital, complications emerging at appointments, etc. We don't run late because we are sitting on facebook.... I do have a tendency to always assume I am late and say sorry for the wait every time I go to bring in the next patient if she is already sitting in the waiting room as checking my list to see what time her appt actually was meant to be would just waste more time. Sometimes they say 'no problem', sometimes they say actually they are early, sometimes they are unpleasant about it. I say it out of habit, not because I am actually apologetic (it is out of my control after all) so I am not sure how it really helps anyone that I say it anyway!

The whole world is understaffed at present, we all need to have more patience unfortunately!

PrivateHall · 02/10/2021 08:17

@Boomshakalakaaaaa

I think we can all agree that saying "sorry I'm late" takes 2 seconds and is the polite thing to do. If you don't agree with that then you must be a bit of a dick tbh.

Secondly, I have a question for anyone who absolutely won't have a bad word said about GPs or the NHS: I have been given the very first appointment of the day dozens of times and more often than not the doctor has been late to see me. How and why? I've seen the doctor walk onto the premises after I've arrived (they've come through the waiting area) and then call me in after my appointment time. This has happened many times. I struggle to believe that GPs genuinely run late for genuine reasons when they start their day like that - if the first one is late then the whole day is behind schedule no? Is it that they know they're not going to see anyone on time so there's no point trying?

I run clinics in GP surgeries (though I am not a GP). The GPs in my place do a few house calls before their surgery starts. Obviously I cannot know if yours do too, but ours certainly do!

LadyWithLapdog · 02/10/2021 08:37

It took me longer than 10 minutes to read this short thread and decide on an angle to reply and compose it and type it. What I’m saying isn’t even interesting or worthwhile. So let’s give a break to people who have to do this 40 times a day: read through notes, listen to the story, examine and make an actual decision which might have consequences. I can understand the stress. I agree though that a quick “sorry for the wait” is quick and can add to goodwill and reduce hostility.

LadyWithLapdog · 02/10/2021 08:40

Boomshakalakka - maybe they’ve seen someone on their list who needs a quick call, or a lab result that should be dealt with quickly, or remembered something overnight that they’d forgotten the day before, or their computer is starting the day by being a dick.

Boomshakalakaaaaa · 02/10/2021 08:47

@LadyWithLapdog every single time?

BoreiPuriHagafen · 02/10/2021 08:49

@Boomshakalakaaaaa

I think we can all agree that saying "sorry I'm late" takes 2 seconds and is the polite thing to do. If you don't agree with that then you must be a bit of a dick tbh.

Secondly, I have a question for anyone who absolutely won't have a bad word said about GPs or the NHS: I have been given the very first appointment of the day dozens of times and more often than not the doctor has been late to see me. How and why? I've seen the doctor walk onto the premises after I've arrived (they've come through the waiting area) and then call me in after my appointment time. This has happened many times. I struggle to believe that GPs genuinely run late for genuine reasons when they start their day like that - if the first one is late then the whole day is behind schedule no? Is it that they know they're not going to see anyone on time so there's no point trying?

I was phoned at 9am by the gp when the supposedly non urgent blood test I'd had the previous day showed that my haemoglobin was so low that I was at risk of imminent death if I didn't get to A&E and have a blood transfusion.

The lab contacted the gp overnight and they rang me the moment they got the message.

I had to collect the letter from the gp, arrange emergency childcare and was admitted to hospital a couple of hours later and had to have 4 units of blood transfixed that day.

That may well have meant that the person with the first appointment went in a bit late.

Sorry to have had to spell out in detail as you couldn't conceive of a reason that the doctor might have had to deal with something more urgent than starting your consultation bang on time.

LadyWithLapdog · 02/10/2021 08:52

Boomshakalaka - how many times did you realistically get the first appointment of the day to know this happens every single time? Maybe they had to compose themselves after reading a complaint letter, or rang social services, or went to the loo (I know this is another can of worms on MN about peeing in company time), or just ask them. My money is on IT.