Is your GP online triage system good? NOT bashing - mine is brilliant.

[Merryoldgoat]

I messaged today using the online portal thing.

Message sent at 8.29 with details of my issue. I had a call at 8.36 from the triage doctor.

She asked a few questions and sent a prescription to the pharmacy but told me to get back to them urgently if x/y/z and they’d want to see me.

She told me likely issue which I suspected but also the things to watch for in case it was more serious.

She also asked for a picture of an affected area to rule out something.

They still take triage calls and see you same day when needed and it seems like a brilliant system.

So many here complain about their surgery - are they still making you call at 8.00 if you need an appointment? If so
why haven’t they moved with the times?

2 weeks for non urgent/routine appointments but they’ll arrange follow ups for more pressing stuff within 2 days.

People don’t believe me when I say I’m seeing a doctor same day - feels mad.

Our surgery has introduced an e consult system but it isn’t very good. I’ve used it twice so far and both times I was told I’d get a call or message back within a day but I didn’t. I had to actually go into the surgery to get an appointment as I had no voice to explain what was wrong!

My DH and I both have chronic health problems which occasionally need urgent treatment. We are considering joining a local private GP practice so that we can get to actually see a doctor when necessary.

The receptionist is the only triage system we have! You call at 8.30 to get an emergency appointment. They don't book appointments at the desk now in person. You have to do online or call on the day. It really is shit and this is their answer to bad performance.

Our doctors is absolutely brilliant. I sent an online query Monday midday about irregular bleeding, phone call 12pm Tuesday to discuss and then apt at 2pm for swabs and a really in depth 25 minute consultation. Referred for bloods and felt really looked after. Couldn't be happier with ours! They always get my kids in same day too which I'm so grateful for.

I use 2 surgeries, one on behalf of my mum and my local one and they both have exactly the same front end portal that looks like a standardised NHS form, so it's really interesting to read that's not everywhere

They are not choosing because they have to pay for it - it is not funded. And it is very expensive.

They've always been wonderful with DS, prioritising him due to his young age. Same day appointments, quick call backs.
Can't complain.

My gp practice is great. No complaints whatsoever. Can always get an appointment and the triage thing works really well. But there is one a few miles down the road where they have a four week wait for appointments.

Mine is excellent. They introduced procedures and systems during Covid that they’ve developed further since. You can request either a face to face or phone consultation the same day - phone lines are busy first thing but not excessively so, and they do call back if necessary. I also order repeat prescriptions online and pick up from a vending machine, available 24/7.
I have an appointment with Podiatry in a couple of weeks’ time for a problem with my foot - referral was made a couple of months ago but it’s a historically poorly funded service so I feel that’s pretty quick.

No, ours is awful and we can only use it 8-4.30 Monday to Friday. It seems to categorise everything non life threatening as "phone consultation in four weeks at an unspecified time and date" even if it's something that requires antibiotics. And everything that it decides you need something quicker it sends you to a&e.

My GPS eConsult system is great.
Always get a call back the same day.
Used it a couple of weeks ago. GP replied via text a couple of hours later with a suspected diagnosis and told me to get an urgent blood test. Had a blood test the same day. Dr called me two days later with results.

I like ours. You can make appointments anytime, but if you feel you need an appointment that day you can ring at 8.30 and they will fit you in, either face to face or over the phone (and if a telephone appointment and the GP feels they need to see you they’ll call you in).

I have even rang after lunchtime needing a same day appointment for my toddler and they got me in that afternoon. They’re great.

My surgery is dire. They only offer same day appointments, the phone line for these opens at 8am and closes as soon as there are no appointments left. Usually that’s about 10 minutes. No phone queuing system so you have to constantly redial.

If you’re lucky enough to get an appointment, a GP will call any time between 9am and 6pm. If you are unable to take the call for whatever reason you have to start again the next day.

It’s a pain in the arse and to be honest I usually resort to Dr Google and buy medication on line or stock up when I’m abroad.

I've just booked a phlebotomist appointment, for three weeks time. DOB, reason (oncology) and ping! the appointment appeared on my phone. Phone triage is pretty efficient too.