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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Refused doctors appointment - so annoyed

207 replies

hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:10

bit of a rant here but I could bloody scream.

The doctors surgery was closed most of last week and the previous week and were only seeing emergency appointments due to sickness. I phoned on Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30 and all the appointments were gone. Asked if I could book in advance but no that’s not possible, it’s only on the day and there’s no advance booking. Phoned on friday and there were appointments but the receptionist said she will pass along my information to the doctor and they will just send a prescription to the chemist. I said I really would prefer to have an appointment instead, and that I don’t mind if it’s with the paramedic, nurse, doctor etc but they said no that’s not possible because it’s a problem I’ve had for years so they can treat me without seeing or speaking to me. It’s a pre existing condition that has been at bay for the last few years and now is starting again, so I would like an appointment rather than just a prescription of something I had 3 years ago. She completely refused to make me an appointment and said the doctor will send a prescription straight to the pharmacy. Unfortunately with Christmas etc, I won’t actually get the prescription now until it reopens after Christmas as the pharmacy don’t even have it yet and it usually takes 2-3 days for them to receive it from the doctor, then 3-4 days for them to make and check it. I asked if I could collect a paper copy for the chemist myself but that’s not possible either. Eventually she just hung up and I tried to phone back to speak to someone else and couldn’t get through. I tried to phone again today to check it’s gone to the chemist and also to ask again to see someone but still haven’t got through.

AIBU to be frustrated by this? I’ve taken the last week off work to try and get an appointment and I don’t have any more leave now until April. I genuinely have no idea what to do! I know I’ll get the prescription at the chemist after Christmas but it’s a condition that hasn’t always been easy to control and I wanted to actually speak to someone about it as it’s been at bay for a few years and now it’s starting again. And if it doesn’t work and i do end up needing an appointment it’s going to be a nightmare getting it off work- I’ll have to start the calling on the day thing all over again and it could take days to actually get through and get one.

I could bloody scream

OP posts:
Wdib78 · 20/12/2022 09:19

Could you ask them to send the prescription to a more reliable chemist? I've had to do that a couple of times but thankfully our designated one has now changed hands and is so much better.

I feel your frustration, doctor once sent me a text saying prescription had been sent to chemist and would be ready by the time u finished work, guess what , turns out doctor hadn't even signed it by the time I got there, had to speak thru intercom to receptionist demanding to know why he said it would be ready if hes not even signed it! I was pregnant with a urine infection, no way I can wait til after the weekend!

Fedupofdiets · 20/12/2022 09:19

Can you ring and speak to the practice manager? Sounds like awful service!!

Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:37

Wdib78 · 20/12/2022 09:19

Could you ask them to send the prescription to a more reliable chemist? I've had to do that a couple of times but thankfully our designated one has now changed hands and is so much better.

I feel your frustration, doctor once sent me a text saying prescription had been sent to chemist and would be ready by the time u finished work, guess what , turns out doctor hadn't even signed it by the time I got there, had to speak thru intercom to receptionist demanding to know why he said it would be ready if hes not even signed it! I was pregnant with a urine infection, no way I can wait til after the weekend!

Yeah, I tried to phone yesterday and today to either insist on an appointment or if they still refused, ask for it to go to a different chemist. Unfortunately they didn’t answer yesterday but I’m praying I get through today.

that sounds awful! Hope you managed to get your prescription eventually.

OP posts:
Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:38

Fedupofdiets · 20/12/2022 09:19

Can you ring and speak to the practice manager? Sounds like awful service!!

Yeah. I really didn’t want to have to do that (ask to speak to the manager) but i think I’ll have to. I just can’t believe it’s 2022 and I’m having to beg for a doctors appointment, it’s so frustrating

OP posts:
Flamingogirl08 · 20/12/2022 09:39

Sounds rubbish but are you sure it will take that long to get the prescription? I think if it gets ordered today you should have it by the weekend. Most Chemists will be open at least Saturday morning as well

MrsTag · 20/12/2022 09:41

hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:38

Yeah. I really didn’t want to have to do that (ask to speak to the manager) but i think I’ll have to. I just can’t believe it’s 2022 and I’m having to beg for a doctors appointment, it’s so frustrating

Show quote history

It's standard practice with me. I offer all the time to have a "face to face " with them and they just cave in and give me what I want. They really dont want hassle so if you ramp it up then you get results.

Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:43

Flamingogirl08 · 20/12/2022 09:39

Sounds rubbish but are you sure it will take that long to get the prescription? I think if it gets ordered today you should have it by the weekend. Most Chemists will be open at least Saturday morning as well

the chemist has posted a notice with all the days for collecting a prescription etc and unfortunately for Tuesday it says collections on Monday, but they’ll be closed because it’s Boxing Day unfortunately, although there’s always the chance it gets made sooner so I’m staying hopeful! And if I can get through today then I’m going to insist on an appointment or at least get it sent to a faster chemist than mine!

OP posts:
BrewandBiscuit · 20/12/2022 09:44

Completely awful service! I called for an appointment yesterday. Got my appointment and my prescription was immediately sent to the chemist next door where I collected it. Your doctors sound appalling! Was the receptionist medically trained??

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 20/12/2022 09:48

Can you go to the surgery to talk to someone rather than keep phoning? I have resorted to that before when I've needed an appointment and cant get through. Also if you're right there there may be more chance of them handing you the piece of paper to get rid of you, if nothing else.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 20/12/2022 09:49

Has your GP practice got a website? If they have then there may be a separate phone line for the prescription team - I’ve had to call and ask them to prioritise medication before when I’ve had none left and they have done so.

PollyPut · 20/12/2022 09:50

Our prescriptions are usually at the pharmacy in a few minutes. They're sent electronically. Are you sure you don't have a similar system in place? Perhaps a new system? Call the pharmacy to check

Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:53

PollyPut · 20/12/2022 09:50

Our prescriptions are usually at the pharmacy in a few minutes. They're sent electronically. Are you sure you don't have a similar system in place? Perhaps a new system? Call the pharmacy to check

Yeah, I’m sure unfortunately. It gets sent over instantly but it’s the actually sending it part that takes several days from the surgery end. It never gets sent same day or the day after, the pharmacy usually get it on day 3 ish. I suppose they’re just very busy so it’s not their fault but frustrating when you’re waiting on something!

OP posts:
Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:54

MandyMotherOfBrian · 20/12/2022 09:49

Has your GP practice got a website? If they have then there may be a separate phone line for the prescription team - I’ve had to call and ask them to prioritise medication before when I’ve had none left and they have done so.

Thanks, unfortunately the pharmacy line is part of the main phone number (you have to press a number) but it won’t actually ring at all and keeps saying user busy so I can’t even get through to it. There is an online repeat prescription request form though so I’ll try and send a message via that!

OP posts:
Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:56

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 20/12/2022 09:48

Can you go to the surgery to talk to someone rather than keep phoning? I have resorted to that before when I've needed an appointment and cant get through. Also if you're right there there may be more chance of them handing you the piece of paper to get rid of you, if nothing else.

That’s a good idea thank you. The doors are still locked and it’s not open for the public unless you have an appointment but it’s definitely worth me going and pressing the intercom button to speak to them via that.

OP posts:
Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 09:57

BrewandBiscuit · 20/12/2022 09:44

Completely awful service! I called for an appointment yesterday. Got my appointment and my prescription was immediately sent to the chemist next door where I collected it. Your doctors sound appalling! Was the receptionist medically trained??

I think so but I’m not actually sure. They weren’t a nurse or doctor but I think all receptionists get trained on triaging things but I don’t know how much IYSWIM

OP posts:
AcerbicColleague · 20/12/2022 10:10

It's appalling and you are absolutely entitled to feel frustrated and enraged. It's really no service at all.

Original poster
hopelessmeringue · 20/12/2022 10:41

AcerbicColleague · 20/12/2022 10:10

It's appalling and you are absolutely entitled to feel frustrated and enraged. It's really no service at all.

It’s so frustrating. Still haven’t managed to get through yet either- I’ve been phoning all morning

OP posts:
Badnewsoracle · 20/12/2022 10:51

I'd change surgeries to be honest. Mine isn't like that at all. Sounds horrendous.

StandUpStraight · 20/12/2022 10:59

Can not even imagine why there are people who have voted that you are being unreasonable here, other than that zero criticism of the sainted NHS will be tolerated. It’s appalling OP - I would write an email to the practice manager pointing out the potential issues with restarting an old medication without bothering to do a review of the patient. Put it in writing - that has worked for me in the past.

HowcanIhelp123 · 20/12/2022 11:11

It's ridiculous at the moment. I have to get hayfever tablets from my GP as OTC doesn't touch it. I get 28 days worth in a pack and a week before I run out I submit a new repeat request, they have to approve and send to pharmacy.

This summer I submitted a request, a week later I was on the last of my meds and it still hadn't been approved. I called and they told me they were too busy for repeats and I needed to give them 14 working days notice! I pointed out thats 3 weeks notice for 28 days worth of medication, so I'd have to request a new one as soon as I got it!

I asked if I could get bigger packs (e.g. 2/3 months in one go) and they said no because it was controlled and I should only be asking for a new months if I was still experiencing symptoms 🤔. I'm sorry but what is the difference between you giving me 2 months worth in one go, and me submitting a request as soon as I pick the first months up because you now require at least 14 working days notice?!?

After getting put through to someone higher up I left the phone call with an emergency approval for my repeat with 2 months worth of tablets.

shivawn · 20/12/2022 11:13

Can't believe some people are voting that YABU. That's absolutely horrendous. And you can only book appointments on the day? That's so strange, what on earth are they doing?

Yesthatismychildsigh · 20/12/2022 11:19

Even if you try to ‘insist’ they can’t give you an appointment they don’t have. And I have to question your timings, if you spoke yesterday, the request should be going to the doctor today. It’s obviously going electronically so at worst, they should have it ready by tomorrow.

Pineconederby · 20/12/2022 11:45

All sounds very odd. Our Dr’s has a pharmacy in it and you can get what you need as you leave an appointment. Sometimes have to wait 10 mins. They also send scripts to the supermarket up the road which has a massive pharmacy if the surgery pharmacy doesn’t have what you need in stock. Actually did this yesterday after an appt (in person) for DC. It took an hour and a half in the queue on the phone to get an appt but got one eventually. Given everything, I was quite impressed!

meetmynewusername · 20/12/2022 11:50

Go to the surgery and cry. It’s not v.dignified, but they will let you speak to somebody.

SmartWatch · 20/12/2022 11:54

Ask them to text you the prescription then you can take it to any pharmacy. I got prescribed antibiotics this way last week.