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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No GP appointment

111 replies

DyingForACuppa · 15/06/2022 17:13

I have a non-urgent-but-totally-fucking-my-life-and-making-me-suffer medical problem.

I have been phoning the GP whenever I can (between work/looking after small children) for days. Most days I don't even get through.

Today I got through at 2pm and was told there's no appointments (not even phone appointments in a month kind of thing). 'You're too early, the next appointment slots haven't been released yet, try in an hour'. I point out I have been trying for days and am picking up my kids in an hour, but apparently nothing can be done. Pick up children then call back, wait on hold for an hour, then an told, 'sorry, all slots gone now, try again tomorrow'.

I am just totally filled with despair. I'm pretty sure that with the right medication I could be fine again, but I have no way of accessing it.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 15/06/2022 17:17

Have you told them what the problem is to see if they can help you ?
For example, I rang about an appointment for HRT but was told they now do a clinic, so was given an appointment for it.

Wolfiefan · 15/06/2022 17:18

Is it something a pharmacist could help with? Or a practice nurse?

womaninatightspot · 15/06/2022 17:19

I would call 111 tbh. They can sometimes magic you up an appointment where there were none before. My sympathies I used to live somewhere where it was impossible to get an appointment so you either got better by yourself or were hospitalised (twice in my case for terrible tonsillitis). My Gp now is fab so I’d advise moving Gp if possible.

AuntieDolly · 15/06/2022 17:22

Does your surgery offer e-consult?

twointhemorning · 15/06/2022 17:24

In my clinical commissioning group they have put of hours GP appointments in the evening and weekends. You might have to see a different GP at another surgery, but at least you get seen. Appointments for these out of hours appointments can be made via the surgery or by ringing 111.

NellieJean · 15/06/2022 17:24

Check if your practice has an arrangement with one of the online providers like LIVI. Mine does which means the service is free. The doctors are great to use, helpful and nice to talk to. They should be able to diagnose the problem and either provide a prescription or send you to A and E.
if they don’t have an arrangement you have to pay which with LIVI is £39 I think so not a cheap option.

CactusFlowers · 15/06/2022 17:31

I would contact the practice manager and make a complaint. I know they are (probably) doing their best but there needs to be a way to access non urgent but still needs seeing appointments.

Iheartmysmart · 15/06/2022 17:36

My surgery is similar. On the day appointments only, ring at 8am but there’s no telephone queuing system so you have to constantly redial - my record is 208 times! No e-consult and absolutely no reply to any emails. It’s so frustrating. Can’t even change surgeries as none of the others in the area are accepting new patients who are already registered with a GP.

Original poster
DyingForACuppa · 15/06/2022 21:28

KangarooKenny · 15/06/2022 17:17

Have you told them what the problem is to see if they can help you ?
For example, I rang about an appointment for HRT but was told they now do a clinic, so was given an appointment for it.

I have a couple of contenders for my guess of what could be wrong based in googling symptoms, but I am not a doctor!

OP posts:
Original poster
DyingForACuppa · 15/06/2022 21:35

Iheartmysmart · 15/06/2022 17:36

My surgery is similar. On the day appointments only, ring at 8am but there’s no telephone queuing system so you have to constantly redial - my record is 208 times! No e-consult and absolutely no reply to any emails. It’s so frustrating. Can’t even change surgeries as none of the others in the area are accepting new patients who are already registered with a GP.

The same day/ring at 8 am appointments at my GP are only for 'urgent' issues, so they won't give me one of those. I guess I just have to wait until this completely tanks my mental health and it will be urgent.

OP posts:
Fulbe · 15/06/2022 21:49

Change to a different GP surgery. They're all stretched due to underfunding and backed up due to COVID, but you may be able to get an appointment with a different one.

Riverlee · 15/06/2022 21:52

if it’s non-urgent, can you book an appointment for a weeks time? Or does your go use e-consult or doctorlink?

Daffodilsdance · 15/06/2022 21:58

Try 111 and they often find one . I feel your frustration though . I tried for over a week . Calls to ask for an appointment are only taken by the receptionist between 8am to 8.30 am , clashing with my drive to work and dropping off son at breakfast club so I have to leave earlier. Most mornings I tried 28 to 30 times but it was engaged . On the day I got through I asked for the dr to call in my lunch break or after 3.30pm ( I am a teacher ) . The receptionist said no problem , she understood . Dr called at 3pm when I was teaching . I called back as 30 mins later and was told by the doctor that I had missed my slot and to try again tomorrow. Before COVID we could book days ahead on a computer system . Now it is almost impossible.

Ahurricaneofjacarandas · 15/06/2022 22:00

Sorry you're having such trouble OP. I'm a GP and I can tell you hand on heart we're working as hard as we possibly and it breaks our hearts to hear stories like this too. Please do make it known as high up the chain as you can. We need the general public and the powers that be to be realistic about the extent of the problem. In the meantime does your surgery have e-consult? This sounds like an ideal issue for an econsult.

I wouldn't advise calling 111 unless the problem is genuinely escalating medically. They are in theory allowed to directly book appointments into the surgery but should in reality do this if the problem is genuinely urgent and there's only a limited number of slots for this so they're unlikely to book you in just because you can't get through to the surgery.

I do hope you can get an appointment soon x

Anon1234ABC · 15/06/2022 22:08

Does your surgery advertise an email address OP? If so, email and mark it FAO the practice manager. Copy in the local CCG/ICS (ICS' are in the process of replacing the old clinical commissioning groups). Explain that you have been contacting for X weeks, been unable to get through and need a non-urgent appointment but have been advised none are available. Ask for a copy of their complaints procedure and use it. GP's are absolutely working their backsides off at the moment, however the CCG/ICS needs to be aware of specific problems and you may find your surgery at least manages a phone call appt. apologies to the GPS who then have to field the calls; we know you're doing you're best!

MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/06/2022 22:11

There’s no e-consult or other online option to book at your GP? That’s insane.

Sbena · 15/06/2022 22:22

Call 111. They can sometimes have a doctor call you back and then give you further advice.

The system that GPs use to book appointments is a fucking disgrace. I know we're lucky to have the NHS (unlike the USA), but MY WORD they don't make it easy to use the service

HopelesslyOptimistic · 15/06/2022 22:36

When are these GP's getting back to work like the rest of the population? I truly would love to know.

Ahurricaneofjacarandas · 15/06/2022 22:52

HopelesslyOptimistic · 15/06/2022 22:36

When are these GP's getting back to work like the rest of the population? I truly would love to know.

GP's ARE back to work. I'm almost completely face to face and the telephone calls I do are mostly to fit even more appointments in not really to avoid covid. Unfortunately there just aren't enough GPs and there haven't been for years. I'm sure the government and media's spin that we're all just work shy and that's what's destroying the NHS will really do wonders for recruiting into the specialism though...

Sarahcoggles · 15/06/2022 23:14

HopelesslyOptimistic · 15/06/2022 22:36

When are these GP's getting back to work like the rest of the population? I truly would love to know.

Posts like this are why I'm taking early retirement.

I've been a GP for over 25 years and I've never worked so hard in my life.

middleager · 15/06/2022 23:21

MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/06/2022 22:11

There’s no e-consult or other online option to book at your GP? That’s insane.

Same here. It's not unusual, sadly.

lisavanderpumpscloset · 15/06/2022 23:30

Do you have the option of booking an appointment online?

frydae · 15/06/2022 23:42

Our GP is horrendous now. You have to race to be one of the lucky calls that gets answered, only to be triaged and then phoned by the doctor. I'm autistic and can't do phone appointments so my bladder issue that has been ongoing for 2 years now (not an infection just leaking) has just progressed to the point it's probably too late now.

Nobody can make an appointment as before covid. I don't think it's ever coming back Sad

I truly grateful for every single member of staff that worked through the pandemic but the system set for that pandemic is not needed anymore. It doesn't work for everyone.

Whitehorsegirl · 15/06/2022 23:50

The current situation is appalling and putting patients at risk.

I don't see why GPs think they can still justify not seeing patients face to face. This nonsense has to stop.

Yes they are stretched but ultimately their jobs is to see patients, not make phone calls when it suits them and give half-baked remote consultations and fob off people the rest of the time.

I would advise you to go to your surgery first thing in the morning when it opens and request an appointment for the same day. Trying to get through the phone is pointless most of the time. Make a formal complaint if you are not getting anywhere.

justasking111 · 15/06/2022 23:53

E mails, write a letter. Explain how many times you have called, list your symptoms. Remember to give your full name, address and date of birth