GP Appointments

[ellie09]

Why are they so difficult to get one?

I've had trouble with my sinuses since beginning of September which has significantly worsened this week to the point I have blurry vision, swollen forehead, sore eyes, sore ears and a horrible headache.

My GP surgery, you have to call at 8:45 and its first come, first serve for that day, you can't make advance appointments.

I call to the very second at 8:45 every morning and receive a "full capacity" message and the call drops. Redial in total 85 times in 30 minutes and get a message at 9:15 telling me all the appointments are now gone.

How on earth does one get to see their GP?

I am going away in a few weeks and the last time I went abroad like this, the air pressure in the plane made my entire face swollen and my eyes close up and had to go straight to A&E when I landed home.

Sorry, this is just a rant.

I feel sorry for the old and vulnerable who are getting more sick and can't see a doctor.

That is bad. Ours is online, starting at 8am. But I can always get an appointment if I go on straight away. By 9am, 1 hour, it's full to capacity. Reading others on mn threads, others have it much worse than me, so ours seems quite good.

Not sure what the equivalent will be where you live but in London I often go to a private GP group called Doctap. It costs about £60 for an appointment which you can generally get the same day. They can prescribe etc just like a regular NHS GP and also can, with your permission, share your records with your GP, so everything stays joined up. Unfortunately I've never been able to get an appointment with my NHS GP so I basically just used this service now. I think it's worth the money, especially with a trip coming up.

It’s awful. I had severe hip pain that was getting worse and worse very quickly to the point I had to use a stick, and nobody would see me. The receptionist said I had to see physio not the GP. The physio said it had to be a phone appointment 🤦🏻‍♀️ He told me I’d have to have another phone session then 2-3 months of physio before any health professional would see me, I wouldn’t even get an X-ray. Eventually when the pain actually had me in tears, DH emailed our local councillor and explained what was going on, she got in touch with someone high up in the NHS locally and by the end of that day I had an appointment with a GP who sent me for X-rays. The diagnosis - end stage osteoarthritis and needing both hips to be replaced asap.

All appointment requests are triaged by a nurse.

I never have a problem getting an appointment

I have the same problem as the op; haven’t been able to see a GP since pre Covid. Last time DH had a concern he tried for three months to get an appointment and in the end paid to go private.
It’s all very well saying change your GP but the next nearest one is seven miles away and they won’t take on any new patients out of their ‘catchment’ area.

One of my friends has this sort of thing near them too. Cheaper than this I think (I'm sure she said it was less than £50) but her whole family goes to a private GP now because of all the issues already mentioned on the thread.

I wish I had one near me tbh because given the amount of time I end up trying to get a rushed appointment at whatever time they can fit my DCs, I'd much rather pay £50, avoid the 8am rush for appointments, and go at a time that's convenient for me.

Pleaseeeeee don't fly like this! It could cause serious issue. Go private if you have to but do not under any circumstances fly in this condition

Oh bless you. I feel you. Sinus infections are wicked and really do need to be seen to.

My GP surgery is just the same. Can't get any appointments, not even when pregnant, and they don't offer online consultations. You can't even walk in and get an appointment. I would change mine, if they weren't rated the best in the area, despite their poor service. It is truly shocking.

Unfortunately I have no advice, other than what has already been suggested, but you have my deepest sympathies. Good luck getting sorted, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.