I’ve been trying to get in touch with my GP (NHS in England) due to having abnormal bleeding for a week now.
(I suspect I have Endo or PCOS or some other condition relating to gynea, but that’s another story)
We can’t book appointments in advance, we have to call the surgery on the day when phone lines open at 8:30am.
I work 8-4 Monday to Friday on a busy reception so it’s almost impossible to be free. Luckily today the reception was covered so I took myself to a quiet room to begin calling at 8:30.
I rang 131 times. I was met with the engaged tone every time. On my 132nd attempt after 40 minutes of trying I was put into a call queue. After 10/15 minutes of waiting the receptionist answered and told me “Unfortunately all slots are now fully booked. You will have to try again tomorrow morning”.
I just burst into tears. My issue isn’t something I can go to a walk in centre for. Or ring 111. I wouldn’t dare go to A&E but I can imagine a lot of people will do for certain things because seeing a GP is near impossible.
There is no point changing surgeries. All our surgeries in the local area sit under the same umbrella and all have the same system.
The system is utterly broken. I can’t see it getting any better. Nobody has the answers. Don’t have the money to go private. I really wish I did.