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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Caller number 31 in the queue?!

137 replies

tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 08:47

On hold to my GP surgery currently. The automated voice just told me I'm caller number 31 in the queue 😲 Is it just me or is this a bit mental? I know phone lines are busy in the morning and I'm used to being number 10-15 ish in the queue at busy times. But 31?! I don't even live in a busy city either, we live quite rurally. Is this length of queue normal in other areas?!

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 27/11/2023 08:55

I was number 28. It took about an hour... and I didn't get an appointment. Fortunately was referred to the central GP instead.

Lougle · 27/11/2023 08:57

It's Monday morning. All the people that felt like they needed a GP appointment on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday are trying to get through.

Ohtobetwentytwo · 27/11/2023 08:57

Its monday morning and normal where I am. Sometimes we arent even allowed to join the queues! We get told that the queue is too long and to call again later.

Sux2buthen · 27/11/2023 08:57

I was number 1 in the queue last week at 8am. No appointments

Lifesd · 27/11/2023 08:58

If I ring on the stroke of 8am I consider anything under 30 a win - usually about 43…
West Yorkshire city.

Setyoufree · 27/11/2023 08:58

At least you've got a queue. Ours is just permanently engaged. I've redialed 80 times before getting though once

Tilllly · 27/11/2023 08:59

Sux2buthen · 27/11/2023 08:57

I was number 1 in the queue last week at 8am. No appointments

How is that even possible?

I was caller no 1 in the queue at 8am last week, I got an appointment but the earliest was 10.15
Just how?

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:00

Lougle · 27/11/2023 08:57

It's Monday morning. All the people that felt like they needed a GP appointment on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday are trying to get through.

Yes I'm aware it's Monday morning, I don't work Mondays so I usually call to make my appointments etc on this day. It's never this busy. As I say, I'm used to being caller 12-15 ish on a morning. Never been as high as 31 before. I'm still on hold now.

OP posts:
Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:00

Lifesd · 27/11/2023 08:58

If I ring on the stroke of 8am I consider anything under 30 a win - usually about 43…
West Yorkshire city.

43 😳

OP posts:
Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:00

Setyoufree · 27/11/2023 08:58

At least you've got a queue. Ours is just permanently engaged. I've redialed 80 times before getting though once

Yeah that happens often too

OP posts:
Divebar2021 · 27/11/2023 09:00

I can’t even phone my GP… I can only email my surgery for an appointment. Sounds fine but they stop taking emails when they’re at capacity ( whatever that is)… so last Friday I couldn’t email at 11.00am. It’s bonkers.

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:01

@Divebar2021
That is mental.

OP posts:
justteanbiscuits · 27/11/2023 09:01

I've just failed on getting a GP appointment for the 5th working day in a row.

I even have private health cover but this is about a change to regular medication that I have to have an appointment for so can't go elsewhere.

SawX · 27/11/2023 09:02

I'm usually 40+ even though I call at 8:00 when the lines open.

It's an utterly infuriating system. I would switch surgeries because of it but they all do it around here.

JustOneMoreBiscuit55 · 27/11/2023 09:05

Setyoufree · 27/11/2023 08:58

At least you've got a queue. Ours is just permanently engaged. I've redialed 80 times before getting though once

I knew I'd pressed redial a few times when I rang for an appointment at my doctors' last week. Just checked my call log - 388 calls it took to get through!

Auntieobem · 27/11/2023 09:07

Monday morning and now in winter - primary care is imploding

Feckedupbundle · 27/11/2023 09:07

Ours is just as bad ( rural village,surgery in the nearest small town).
Now we have proscribed times that you have to call for certain things,like admin stuff between 2-4pm, appointments from 8-10 but the reality is that if you aren't on the phone at 8am,you don't stand a chance. Last time I rang at 8,I was caller 27 in the queue.There aren't enough Gps either,so if by luck you do get seen,it'll be by a paramedic.
It's now come to the point where if there is something wrong,I'm more worried about the whole rigmarole of trying to get an appointment than the actual issue. Which I suppose is what they want.

FiveShelties · 27/11/2023 09:08

What happens if you work at that time and cannot ring?

2dogsandabudgie · 27/11/2023 09:08

OP, if it's not urgent, and reading your posts it sounds like it's just a routine appointment you need, then the best thing to do would be to ring back in the afternoon. I usually ring around 3-4pm, always get through at that time.

Lifeinlists · 27/11/2023 09:08

Our surgery has a system where you can press a number and you enter a queue but they call you back when it's your turn. That bit works v well.

Doesn't mean you get an appointment but you don't have the pain of hanging on/ redialling continually.

Bekiboo23 · 27/11/2023 09:11

I started at number 43 this morning... 🥴

Mydpisgrumpierthanyours · 27/11/2023 09:11

I don't want to say this but that sounds normal now.
Just trying to get a routine appointment impossible. I was 2 weeks without my medication. Thankfully I FINALLY spoke to a receptionist who managed to squeeze me in.
They need to change the system I'm not sure to what, maybe back to the old days where if you couldn't get an appointment you just sit and wait. At least youde be guaranteed to see someone medical.

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:12

2dogsandabudgie · 27/11/2023 09:08

OP, if it's not urgent, and reading your posts it sounds like it's just a routine appointment you need, then the best thing to do would be to ring back in the afternoon. I usually ring around 3-4pm, always get through at that time.

The appointments for the day are gone by then, you need to call at 8.30 to get an appointment. I finally got through and got sorted. 35 minutes later.

OP posts:
TheLadyIsAVamp · 27/11/2023 09:13

Mine always gives a message saying the maximum capacity for the queue has been reached and to try again later. I just use their online service now. They're usually pretty good at getting back to you the same day.

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 27/11/2023 09:13

Bekiboo23 · 27/11/2023 09:11

I started at number 43 this morning... 🥴

Oh wow. Seems it's becoming more the norm then!

OP posts: