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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what my GP Surgery is actually doing?

250 replies

bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:06

Since Covid my surgery has been very evasive about booking appointments, but now they say they will only talk to emergencies. Isn't that what A&E is for? I have a very ill family member with cancer and needs help but apparently it isn't classed as an emergency

OP posts:
AmazonPrim · 29/12/2022 21:09

Ask them! Have you challenged them and asked what you're meant to do then in order to get an appointment and care?

Btw - I'm not disagreeing with you. I've ran into issues with my own GP when trying to get appointments, but luckily not this bad although I've heard similar stories from others

glittermoomoo · 29/12/2022 21:11

Have you asked what are you meant to do?

Willowswood · 29/12/2022 21:13

Our local health board are saying all GP surgeries are meant to be running as normal, and if not, to let them know and they will investigate.. maybe look on your local health board's internet site?

Or just ask your surgery what you are meant to do for your family member? Has your surgery got E-consult or similar?

Willowswood · 29/12/2022 21:14

If your family member is 'very ill' I would just tell the surgery that it is an emergency. Then at the gp appointment, ask the gp about regular appointments and what's happening

ILoveeCakes · 29/12/2022 21:14

Everyone in the NHS is working oh so very very hard.....

That's what we're meant to say isn't it?

imadeitnice · 29/12/2022 21:17

Seems GP's are the new target for multiple thread bashing. Giving the teachers a break I guess. I wonder who's next.

Original poster
bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:18

@AmazonPrim my mother is his designated carer but they refuse to speak to them as they don't see it as an emergency despite the fact he can't keep any food down

OP posts:
Ohnotheydidnt · 29/12/2022 21:19

People are allowed to complain without it being called "bashing" 🤣

Leave a review on Care Opinion so that Healthwatch and the CQC can see how patients are receiving a shit service and no care x

Snowdropsarelovely · 29/12/2022 21:21

Ask to speak to the practice manager about the complaints procedure. Funnily enough my dad who has cancer can get appointments since I asked this....

imadeitnice · 29/12/2022 21:23

It's bashing when each new post about GP surgeries is saying the same thing and asking what GP's are actually doing.

Original poster
bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:24

@imadeitnice not everything is about bashing. We can have compassion whilst still caring about our sick relatives

OP posts:
hay5689 · 29/12/2022 21:25

@imadeitnice it's not bashing when a person suffering with cancer can't get an appointment. It's absolutely ridiculous, where do they go if not their GP?

Ohnotheydidnt · 29/12/2022 21:25

imadeitnice · 29/12/2022 21:23

It's bashing when each new post about GP surgeries is saying the same thing and asking what GP's are actually doing.

I don't think it's "bashing" to ask for advice on how to receive care for genuine sick people.

OP I really hope you sort this out. Best of luck x

Original poster
bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:26

@imadeitnice my dad is dying of cancer and getting zero support. I'm not bashing doctors, I'm asking how to get help.

OP posts:
Original poster
bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:28

Thank you for the people being supportive but I regret posting this now. Way to kick a person when they are down

OP posts:
NestingSparrow · 29/12/2022 21:31

There simply aren’t enough GPs for them to cope with demand anymore.
Also demand has drastically increased in the last few years.
The working life of a GP is so awful they are all leaving the profession.
It’s a terrible downward spiral across the whole of the NHS.
Politicians wasted so much public money in their mishandling of COVID. It makes me so angry to think of all that money they could have spent on the NHS. Politicians are currently on holiday. When they work they get free transport, subsidised food, second homes for free and Christmas parties paid for. It’s a complete scandal and politicians should be ashamed.

startingitallagain · 29/12/2022 21:35

I understand that GP surgeries are overwhelmed and not enough staff (it's what we gathered when trying to get help for my dad). However, not keeping food down as a cancer patient is a priority IMO, so if you've explained that on the phone at the surgery and they're still refusing, then a complaint is warranted, not because GPs need bashing, but to highlight the strain the system is under.

Is he under consultant care? Does he have a Macmillan nurse assigned to him? Can he keep down liquids? Is he in any pain or is that managed?

Hugs to you OP, it's so hard navigating it all when you're caring for a loved one. I have to say I'd be tempted to look at a private GP for a one off visit and advice.

DoraSpenlow · 29/12/2022 21:36

We had this message on our surgery's Facebook page a couple of days before Christmas -

Due to unprecedented pressures at the surgery, over the next few weeks the practice will be closing askmyGP and the surgery will only be able to action urgent requests.

A few weeks!! So not only can you not get a face to face appointment, you can't even get a phone consultation. They are suggesting contacting a pharmacy. I haven't been able to actually see a doctor for nearly 4 years. Can't move surgeries because all the local ones are run by the same company. They are going to have one hell of a backlog if they ever do start to operate normally.

Original poster
bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:36

@NestingSparrow I have so much sympathy, my father spent his life working for the NHS and now now he can't get an appointment. We are massive supporters of the NHS but we are losing hope

OP posts:
Thismonkeysgonetodevon · 29/12/2022 21:36

@bloodymosquito So, so sorry about your dad. We were in this position last year with my dad and I understand how stressful it is trying to get help from the medical profession.

Can you put it in writing to the GP surgery? Write to the practice manager if necessary.
Hand deliver.

Is he under the care of a consultant at hospital who you can also email with symptoms and ask for help?

Everything in writing. You won’t get help unless you make a fuss, from my experience.

You might also, if you haven’t, want to look into hospices. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done this for my dad. Certainly preferable to hospital where pain relief & compassion wasn’t forthcoming.

BradfordGirl · 29/12/2022 21:37

Should your dad not be getting support from the oncology team and palliative care? I don't really understand what a GP can do except make referrals to district nurses near the end and to MacMillan.
What are you wanting from the GP?

BradfordGirl · 29/12/2022 21:38

Our GP surgery is bloody brilliant. I can always get a same day appointment.

Theluggage15 · 29/12/2022 21:39

This is a priority situation OP. I would do as a PP suggests and ask for their complaints procedure and say he needs an emergency appointment. Ignore idiots like imade.

Crispynoodle · 29/12/2022 21:39

bloodymosquito · 29/12/2022 21:18

@AmazonPrim my mother is his designated carer but they refuse to speak to them as they don't see it as an emergency despite the fact he can't keep any food down

You could ring your GP's surgery district nursing team and go around that way. You might get through early in the morning before they go out or lunch time but it is very likely you will need to leave a message for them to get back to you. Write the message down so you are clear and concise but stress the importance especially if your relative is in pain or needs an integrated team assessment (especially a Speach and language therapist who will help with a poor swallow)

Aquarius1234 · 29/12/2022 21:39

Most GPs at my practice work 3 days or 2 days a week. 90% females.
And no none of them seem stressed out their brains. Very casual calm and not seeing many patients.