How important do you think it is to be on time for a GP appt

[Ireolu]

Just that really.

Do you think it is important to turn up on time or early for a GP appt? Do you think you shd still be seen when you are 10 mins or more late for a 10 minute appt.

This is just for adults over 18 not for children. TIA for thoughts.

@Ireolu

They should accept you up to 10 or 12 minutes late, especially if it's only occasionally. Obviously, if you're continually late, it should be called into question, but they can't just refuse people who are more than a few minutes late. It's absolutely ridiculous. People get delayed by traffic congestion, by public transport being late, by road works, by various health issues, etc, etc...,

It's also pretty rich when 3 times out of 4, GPs are anything between 15 minutes and 40 minutes late calling you in for your appointment. The amount of fucking hours I've spent in hot sweaty waiting rooms around dozens of sick people, because my GP appointment is up to 40 minutes late, is farcical...

I had a 2pm appointment last week, (they are shut 1pm til 2pm, so I was the first one!) The GP rolled in at 2.09pm, with a Greggs pastie she was munching, and a can of red bull. She started chatting to one of the receptionists, and didn't stop til 2.18pm, then she swanned off into 'her room.'

2.25pm I was called in. So she was 25 minutes behind before the afternoon began. No wonder they are always late. I have had so many times when my appointment's been at (for example,) 2:45 PM - and I don't get until 3.15pm to 3.30pm.

I don't know why they think their time is more important than mine, but it really does piss me off.

Ditto, the dentist. ALWAYS 20 to 40 minutes late calling me in. But apparently I've got to be absolutely grateful and utterly blessed that I have got an NHS dentist. Same with GPs. Apparently I have to be grateful I can get a face to face appointment. We are being made to feel now, that we should be getting on our knees and kissing their feet, for them seeing us. Something that was just a given, 5+ years ago, is now something we are made to feel we should be grateful for. An NHS dentist, and GP face to face appointments. 🙄

Many of them have absolutely terrible time management. It can't always be an emergency or a patient before that's taken a long time - every single time. As I said, the one GP didn't even call me in til nearly half an hour before my appointment, and I was the first one! So she was behind all afternoon then! Purely because she couldn't be arsed to get back on time from lunch, and then spent time just pissing about.

Some people just have a God complex. Consultants are the same - a one and a half hour trip (3 hour round trip!) to a specialist hospital, then you're not called in until 40 minutes to an hour after your appointment time, and then you're in there for two minutes - and they get paid £100K + a year for this. (And they perform the odd surgery when they can be bothered.)

Can you tell I'm a bit annoyed?

If you were paying, how would you feel about a long wait. Similarly?

Not rtft but GP days are jam packed, there should be no expectation for them to fit you in if you are late.

Leave the house with the intention of getting there a bit early.
It is both rude and entitled to feel you should still be seen if you rock up 15 minutes late.

Years back, I was sat in an empty waiting room and the GP did not call me until 5 minutes after my appointment time. Turns out, he was taking the time to have a good look through my notes so I was not repeating myself when I saw him. He was great, but sadly a locum, and I never saw him again.

We are paying.

You don't turn up late for any appointment. I always aim to be slightly early.

They should accept you up to 10 or 12 minutes late, especially if it's only occasionally. Obviously, if you're continually late, it should be called into question, but they can't just refuse people who are more than a few minutes late. It's absolutely ridiculous. People get delayed by traffic congestion, by public transport being late, by road works, by various health issues, etc, etc...,

Sensible people plan for those delays. Surely if it takes you, say, 15 minutes to get to the surgery you don't leave 15 minutes before your appointement? If something really unforseen happens, surely you phone and let them know and they may be able to re-schedule.

I try and be 5-10 mins early. Just in case I can go in a little bit earlier. Would never, ever turn up late. That's not only bad mannered but taking the piss out of the NHS, which we all know is on its knees.

I've only been late for such an appointment once in my life. I felt mortified. Absolutely not OK. I always arrive with 10 minutes to spare.

OTOH I did a little joyful dance the other day when I saw my lovely regular doctor, who had gone to work abroad, was back on the list at the door of the practice. He is never ever late for appointments. I don't know how he does it.

As an aside, I'm in Melbourne and this is a private practice, and yes, I do get pissed off with long waits.

I hate being late for anything, especially doctor's appointments - I am always particularly early for appointments. I have a 2 month old and have had 2 doctors appointments with them. I've been 30 minutes early for both appointments (left super early in case of difficulties with baby!) It winds me up when I see people strolling in late.

1 minute late maximum

Yes, I'd consider someone as "on time" if they are there and ready to check in. It should not take extra time to check in.

I am really pleased that my GP surgery now has an automated touchscreen check-in, which mostly works well, saves patients queueing, and takes some of the load off the overworked receptionists.

@givemeasunnyday

What a ridiculous post. You can't 'prepare in advance' for traffic congestion and road delays. And also, if you think you're going to be more than six or seven minutes late, do you really think it's as simple as just quickly ringing them and re-booking the appointment for a bit later on?

With most surgeries, including mine, you wait half an hour before anyone answers! Your appointment will have come and gone before you even get through! And then you will very likely be waiting another month for another appointment. Do you seriously think all GP surgeries will answer within 30 seconds and then rebook for appointment for half an hour to an hour later than the one you have booked? You must be living in a fantasy world!

We have to make our GP appointments 3 or 4 weeks in advance. (The routine appointments.) If you need/want to see a GP that day, you have to be on the phone on the dot at 8:30 in the morning to get a 'call back' from the GP to decide if you are worthy of being seen in the emergency clinic ... THEN you have to go to the surgery and wait for up to 3 hours with 40 other people waiting in the same clinic.

Yes, this is my view too. Then if somebody else doesn't turn up (OP?) they can see you and not waste any time.
The idea of being late for an appointment with a busy GP is just ridiculous.

I'm always on time , its when they keep you waiting 3/4 hour piss me off.

I'm normally about 5 minutes early. It's hard to judge the traffic and get it quite right.

I don't wait longer than 15 minutes past my appointment time though. I've been told on here before that I should be happy to wait over an hour, I have to get back to work and don't have the time to spend ages there. The doctor will usually call in what would have been my slot.

Early , or on time at the very latest .

I mean I would always be on time but our surgery is always running at least half an hour late if not longer

It's very important, however, some people have genuine problems with executive functioning, learning difficulties, memeory, mental health etc. which make it more difficult for them to be on time. They should still be seen.

I think it’s very important for any appointment. I turn up early for everything and I am severely apologetic if I arrive even a minute or two late. Even on time for me creates anxiety. I prefer to be 5 mins or more early for things and prefer to wait (outside if necessary).
I wouldn't expect to be seen if I arrived late for a drs appointment.

I think you should aim to be a little early in case of something unforseen happening. I would expect to be seen (as in think I would/rather than I feel entitled) if I was a couple of minutes late but not if I was 10 min late. With all that said prior to COVID they were always running very late so it didn't really matter if you got there late.

It did annoy me once that we went to an out patient appointment at the hospital. Clinic running really late. It got so late my husband had to make a call to work to say he would be late (before mobile phones so had to use the pay phone). While making this call they called him. I explained the situation and said he'd be back any moment. They wouldn't wait. Said he would have to make a new appointment. He appeared shortly and I had to tell him they wouldn't see him. Thought that was a cheek!

I’m always early to make sure o can get leaflet etc. but I wouldn’t expect to be seen early and I would expect a 2pm gp appointment to want me in before that. I’m generally though my GP surgery (several GPS as you never see the same one twice in a row) always run late.

I always turn up on time and if was delayed would ring receptionist as she is great but always on time, and usually am left waiting for 20 mins or so as some appointments take longer than others but not right to be late unless an emergency and contact them also.

Absolutely imperative- it would be rude and disrespectful to be late.

You'd be amazed at how many people turn up late and don't even acknowledge the fact. No apology. Nothing. And the reason HCP are often running late is because we agree to see people who have turned up a few minutes late. The knock on effect of several of these is cumulative.
I only allow a few minutes leeway because over running means I don't get my full half hour break in a nine hour day, and would likely not be practising safely come the later consultations, especially where administering drugs is involved.
Practice nurse.