to book a private GP appointment?

[PrincessofWellies]

So I contacted my NHS GP service today as I have a growth on my leg which is getting bigger and I'm obviously concerned that it might be cancerous. So I'm told I cannot book a GP appointment as there aren't any available, but I can do an online e consult which consists of logging in and completing an online form on which I can upload photos. But I can't log in. I've gone round and round in a loop for around an 1 hour and I give up. I can get a GP appointment tomorrow in a city next to me for £195. Is this really what it's come to. Why am I paying shit loads of tax for this non service? What is this Government doing to our health service? Why am I in tears out of frustration?

It's all a shambles. For the sake of your health and mental state book the appointment though and I wish you the best outcome x

Can you go to the walk in centre and get a medical professional to check it out? Other than that pop into the surgery and ask the office staff to help you with the online stuff.

£195 for a private GP, I self referred to a private dermatologist for £250 as I had a suspicious looking mole last Nov, it turned out to be a Seborrheic Kerarosis, had it whipped off within the appt. Just a thought, I would imagine the GP would refer you, so maybe go direct. Pants that you can’t get a NHS GP appt though.

Can you send an email directly to the surgery, with photos attached and saying you cant work the e consult and you are very worried, please could you forward to relevant doctor etc. I have sometimes emailed and got a response that day from a GP once the receptionist has forwarded it on. (just an idea, if you aren't comfortable emailing I understand!)

DH had a v similar situation with a lump on his leg and so spoke to a private GP he had through his private healthcare and they just told him he'd have to go to his GP.

As a PP says, for the money, you'd be better to refer to an actual specialist

Phone the GP and say you feel penalised by the new booking system and that you require them to accommodate making your appointment by phone.

I do not understand how your GP can do this - not that I don't believe you, I do - I just can't understand HOW this can be the system they are offering you.

I guess if there is no way to get a GP appointment via your particular practice, then may be you should.

It is so random, my practice is really Ok for appointments.

What happens if you walk in to the desk?

You might as well go straight to a dermatologist privately for that amount of cash.

If your surgery uses the same system as mine, there is a limit to the number of econsult forms that can be submitted in any day. To be sure of being able to submit my form I always make sure I do it before 9 am. I've never been able to submit an enconsult after 10 am, so maybe try to do it as soon as your surgery opens in the morning.

I can't submit an econsult form at my GP's outside surgery hours - could this be your problem ??

I also can't submit an econsult form after hours. So maybe that's the problem.

However I practically gave up booking doctors appointments with my GP since 2020. I don't go often but I just book a private one if my DS needs it.

This is DIRE and shows what is happening to our country!!!
I hope you get what you need soon xxx