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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s disgusting you just can’t get a gps appointment these days

156 replies

Perimeopausepip · 30/01/2023 09:44

Been in the phone since 8 am trying to get an appointment
first 10/15 mins I couldn’t even get in the queue the phone would just say unable to connect you please try later …. Wtf

then 15 mins later was able to get in the queue
15 person in the queue
so 30 mins wait then to be told no there no appointments at all
all I can get is a phone call from there partnership
in the evening

when I said I really want a face to face with any dr as my face is swollen
just got told sorry no we don’t have any … and that if I get a phone call this evening and then they want to see me they will book it then ….

its just so fuckign shit

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 30/01/2023 10:35

You have a phone appointment. They will then be able to assess whether they need to see you in person. This is actually an efficient way to get through more appointments than in person ones. It is not an emergency so a same day phone appointment is more than adequate for non emergency appointments. On one of these recently they called me back by a facetime to look at an issue too. If it had been the case they weren't dealing with you at all then I would have had every sympathy. But moaning because you are being dealt with later the same day - nah!

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 30/01/2023 10:35

I’ve ended up shouting today as at the end of my tether.

Ds2 needs his asthma/allergy medication however is due his review.. they won’t prescribe his medication until they do his review… only they can’t give an appointment…. Going round like this for 2.5 months.

Asked to speak to the nurse as the receptionist is a chocolate fire guard, to be told the nurse doesn’t have time… asked to speak to the practise manager to be told she would give me a call back… that was 5 weeks ago and been chasing up weekly.

Last week had to phone ds consultant to get his medication as he had run out completely and the school saying they wouldn’t accept him without his medication (as we had to take the schools supply to tide him over) - consultant ended up calling the surgery and miraculously an appointment was given 🤬 even tho that morning they had none.

I’m in the same boat waiting for an appointment for my smear, 4 months trying to get an appointment.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 30/01/2023 10:38

I ended up shouting today as even tho he has an appointment , they still won’t prescribe 2 lots of medication as “it’s a waste” even tho his consultant letters state he is to be prescribed 2 lots… consultant is going to phone again and is extremely not happy about them wasting his time and mine.

Hbh17 · 30/01/2023 10:42

Maybe think about whether you really need a GP appointment first....

BigMadAdrian · 30/01/2023 10:42

A phone call is not adequate - there are numerous reasons why phone appointments are a joke. It discriminates against ND people for a start, as well as those struggling with anxiety and depression. It is not fair to expect people to sit by the phone all day - what if they are out of range or unable to answer when the call comes through? You also can't assume they are in a suitably private place to discuss a medical condition. A GP can't assess someone in the same way over the phone - they don't have the visual cues, no body language, much easier to miss something important. It's a joke. We are going to go back to the days of people needlessly dying because they can't access medical care.

Slowingdownagain · 30/01/2023 10:44

Yeah it's rubbish. It's an idiotic and inefficient system too. First come, first serve for "emergency" appointments is no way to run a GP which is intended not just to provide emergency services.

🙄at the pharmacy line. They will 90% of the time do nothing except tell you to see a GP.

Greentree1 · 30/01/2023 10:50

Goldenbear · 30/01/2023 09:55

Yes, it is appalling, why are people pretending it isn't. I don't usually read the Daily Mail but saw that Rod Stewart had called ITV News to offer to pay for some people's private scans as the private medical care has empty waiting rooms. He said he's never known it as bad as this and despite being a Tory supporter most of his life they need to go! My parents are a bit younger than him but they say the same and they have never know it as bad as this even in the 70s, even when the training strikes happened in the 70s you could still get a train!!

In the 70s our mortgage rate was 15%, we had miner's strikes, steel union strikes, power cuts and a three day working week due to the strikes. I don't particularly remember train strikes because everything was in chaos.

luckylavender · 30/01/2023 10:50

Perimeopausepip · 30/01/2023 09:44

Been in the phone since 8 am trying to get an appointment
first 10/15 mins I couldn’t even get in the queue the phone would just say unable to connect you please try later …. Wtf

then 15 mins later was able to get in the queue
15 person in the queue
so 30 mins wait then to be told no there no appointments at all
all I can get is a phone call from there partnership
in the evening

when I said I really want a face to face with any dr as my face is swollen
just got told sorry no we don’t have any … and that if I get a phone call this evening and then they want to see me they will book it then ….

its just so fuckign shit

I would go to a pharmacy in the first instance. And you could definitely have problems with your teeth or gums & not know.

luckylavender · 30/01/2023 10:53

Goldenbear · 30/01/2023 09:55

Yes, it is appalling, why are people pretending it isn't. I don't usually read the Daily Mail but saw that Rod Stewart had called ITV News to offer to pay for some people's private scans as the private medical care has empty waiting rooms. He said he's never known it as bad as this and despite being a Tory supporter most of his life they need to go! My parents are a bit younger than him but they say the same and they have never know it as bad as this even in the 70s, even when the training strikes happened in the 70s you could still get a train!!

No one is pretending. In 13 years of Tory government it has collapsed. Not the fault of the NHS. We should direct our anger at the culprits.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 30/01/2023 10:53

Mine is a nightmare - they won’t give a call time and I teach so I’ve missed the call on 3 separate occasions. Each time I’ve had to make a new appt and requested a lunchtime call - each time has been mid morning, mid lesson.
I have zero respect for GP’s now.

Turmerictolly · 30/01/2023 10:54

Simple answer, but maybe too late - don't vote Tory. If you did vote for the Tories, stop complaining. This is what you voted for.

Marigoldandivy · 30/01/2023 10:54

That must be alarming. It happened to me without warning. I woke up looking as though I had been in a fight. It was an allergic reaction, easily treated with anti-histamines. It would really be worth going to your pharmacy.

worried4698643 · 30/01/2023 10:55

Phone appointments are brilliant. Usually the same day in my area. you can send photos prescriptions sent straight to local pharmacy.

witheringrowan · 30/01/2023 10:57

People saying "but you have a phone appointment".... Phone appointments are useless, every time I've had one with my surgery they've either let it ring twice and then hung up, or just not called at all. I've ended up coming off medication cold turkey when it should be tapered because I cannot find a way to speak to someone to renew the prescription.

Workbaseddrama · 30/01/2023 11:00

I've got no problems seeing my GP. I'm happy with a telephone or virtual consultation as it fits in with my life easier than trekking into the surgery.

If it's on the day urgent I'm polite but firm with reception and always get in. If I struggle I simply say I'm going to call 111 and ask them to find me a slot.

For a swollen face I'd try the dentist first. Hope you get well soon, it's miserable being poorly on a Monday!

Workbaseddrama · 30/01/2023 11:01

A swollen face can also be mumps so please don't go out in public! Get a telephone consultation and send someone out for antihistamines Incase it's an allergy

flawless29 · 30/01/2023 11:02

My GP surgery is the same, but I have found that sending an e-consult is better for minor issues. If you accurately explain your problem, they will offer you an appointment either by telephone or in person

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/01/2023 11:05

BigMadAdrian · Today 10:02
What is wrong with some of you? It is an utterly broken system and you are happy to accept it, shrug and say 'maybe our expectations are too high'.”

Our surgery is very good 🤷‍♀️ it always takes a while to get through, especially on a Monday morning but we almost always get a same day appointment or a call back in the afternoon.
if it’s an emergency we go to the Walk In centre and are usually seen within an hour or two, NW England coast.

Very different waiting to see consultants, though. The waiting times are awful.

YANBU OP - it's awful

Original poster
Perimeopausepip · 30/01/2023 11:05

Yes seen the pharmacist last week infact spoke to two different ones
one said try piriton
I can’t really as I have serve dry eyes and that makes it worse
and the other said see the gp as it could be the start of shingles

ao they both thought it was swollen and that was a week ago
I’ve left it a week to see if it goes down on it’s own

reason I feel I need a face to face is Injage a few other health idiots and i think I might have an auto immune problem

OP posts:
Original poster
Perimeopausepip · 30/01/2023 11:05

Heath issues not idiots

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 30/01/2023 11:05

Not sure where the YANBU came from in that last post? I didn’t put it there.

mamabear715 · 30/01/2023 11:06

As I've said before, things are going backwards.
Up until 2000, I could go to my then GP's & just sit in the waiting room, knowing I or my kids would be seen (no appointment system.) We could get buses everywhere. Milk & yogurts had use-by dates on them. (Yes, Morrisons & Asda, looking at you.) It's all gone to shit. :-(

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/01/2023 11:07

Don’t need use by dates for milk and yoghurts. If it smells ok, it is.

Original poster
Perimeopausepip · 30/01/2023 11:08

I fear a phone call would probably just end up being given antibiotics when I probably don’t need them

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 30/01/2023 11:09

As context, for about 40 years Ive been able to get an appointment same day or next day if needed, and in about 2 weeks with my preferred doctor for something ongoing. Over the last 5 years the 2 weeks has stretched to 3,4,5 weeks, never.

In the 70s we had high interest rates, train strikes, miners’ strikes, but we could still see a GP.