GP appt saga

[Paininthebutth0le]

Just went into my GP as I have been sent an auto appt for something and I can't attend on that day. I was in the reception which was empty with 3 staff members behind the window... I explained my situation and was told I am unable to reschedule in person and I need to call them instead!

None of them were on the phone, it was empty. I just said ok, went out to my car and called from there getting the lady who had spoken to me 60 seconds prior. Have all GP surgeries fully gone mad or is it just mine?

I had a telephone appointment for 16.40 at the beginning of December. It got to about 17.50 on the day and they’d not rung so I called them to be told the doctor had phoned at 13.20 and left a message. He definitely hadn’t. There was no missed call notification on my phone, it was right next to me at all times and no voicemail so I told the receptionist that and she said I’d have to ring back at 8am the next day to try for another appointment. 🙄

I queried why they’d allegedly phoned at 13.20 when my appointment was at 16.40 and she said “oh we give out appointment times, but don’t keep them. The doctor just rings as and when.” I asked how that works if you have meetings, school pick ups etc, she said “not our problem is it, really?”

Hahaha 😆 😂, you have just made my day. That's a fantastic idea.

I don't think you should punish them due to a due to a rule that probably hasn't been enforced by them. Silly, rule, but I can bet that they've been told to do it.

Ours has an ask my gp online service which is ok but they close as soon as appts are full, usually by 815/830. I did go in once and the receptionist said I had to use the online service, I said I had no online access , And she lowered her glasses and said “ is that an iPhone in your top pocket?🤔” which there was tbf. So she had my card marked🤣🤣

I agree with this but with one important caveat- they should offer an explanation rather than just a blank refusal. It’s not hard for Doreen on reception to say to you through the glass “Sorry, you’ll need to ring us because we need to have all conversations recorded now/the team who deal with X are in a different office/the phones are connected to the computer system and we can’t access it without picking up a call” etc.

It’s the blanket “no” and refusal to explain or engage which is so frustrating. I have to say that I find people in customer/patient facing roles so bloody rude these days- supermarket cashiers never say the total to you any more, hardly any bus drivers smile back when you get on and say hello. It’s depressing.

🤣🤣🤣 I love it!!

I wonder if the calls are recorded and they need the proof that you have cancelled in case you complain or something.

My mum had this and called them from outside the glass front door area looking in at the desk 🤣. Honestly, just absolutely ridiculous. She wasn't rude at any point, they said she had she ring, she walked outside and stared in as they answered her mobile call.

Mine did the same, walked outside and called them-then walked back in whilst on the phone and carried on talking till she looked up and saw me. Said-surely you can see this is complete and utter madness…! The response was but I am helping you on the phone🙄

Mine is not like this. The receptionists are very helpful.

I literally couldn’t cope anymore. I have decided to abandon any help for an unresolved medical condition that contributed to me leaving my previous job. I’ll now underemployed but I just couldn’t keep trying to get in touch with the doctors as the stress, inconvenience and disappointment was making me feel worse.

it appears to not be possible to get a gp appointment or get the same gp to deal with a complex problem so I’ve decided to give up and see what happens. I can’t be the only one?

It is 100% their problem if they've suggested a time that suits you. These people are so up their own backsides.

It's insane. Before Christmas I had an eye problem which is recurring. After waiting 30 mins for a pick up at the surgery they said they no longer deal with eye issues and referred me to a new service which is essentially a phone call with an ophthalmologist at an opticians which could be anywhere in the country. The ophthalmologist I got was excellent but had to refer me back to my doctors for a swab to be taken and sent a referral by email to me and doctors at the same time. Cue more madness.
Doctors say they no nothing and have to use my copy of the notes. Agree to a swab. Nurse comes out, gives swab to receptionist, walks away. Receptionist says here you are go and swab your eye in the loo. Hand to receptionist, she says can you write your details on the vial. You'll get the results before Xmas she says. Did I heck.
The surgery rang me yesterday, can I come in for a swab to be taken......your guess is as good as mine as to what the hell is going on.

Madness!
I got a letter to book my smear test - I was going in anyway so while I was there I asked to book. No appts- they took my details and said they’d call me. Later that day I got a text from the surgery to call to book it - I had to go back anyway to drop a sample off so I went back a couple of days later to take the sample, and said I’d got the text now to book the smear. The receptionist said ‘try next week, no appointments.’ What’s the betting I’ll call next week and still nothing?!
They keep on changing their booking system too so it’s really aggravating.

Oh and also madness re dd in the summer. She had glandular fever but is registered w uni GP. They wanted her to have repeat bloods due to liver enzymes being screwy due to the GF. The faff of registering as a temp patient and then getting a simple blood test took over 6 weeks!

@WillimNot Inform the CQC. It might make a difference.

Similar at ours.

Who the fuck designed this useless garbage klinik triage system and how much money have they made off it? It doesn't even have women's body parts on the drop down menu/body outline where you have to select the part that's a problem - goes straight from stomach to genitals FFS.

@ChedderGorgeous this! I would have so done that too!

I like the way it asks you about your alcohol consumption and gambling habits at the end 😂

@NewJobNewMeNewLife Yes me too. I'm now unemployed because it is so extremely difficult to see the GP or get any continuity of care.

Lol yes. Unfortunately there isn't an option for "previously teetotal but necked a bottle of whisky filling in this bastard thing. And I haven't got a clue if I've got fucking covid and neither have you."

Gambling habits?!? I suppose you could say I gamble whether I will get an appointment calling the surgery every day, the odds aren't very good though. 😂

they are all crazy!!! ours for a while had you trying to book using an on line system! god help the 80 year old who live around here!! they have recently admitted sending an email naming all patients and diagnoses to another patient but denied it to everyone till the papers got involved! you couldnt make it up!

This!

Tried and tried to make an appointment for smear test - finally got through and was told routine appointments are via online system only - requested online (selected what it was for) and got a virtual appointment with nurse - tried to change it but couldn't get through. I kept virtual one hoping nurse could make me one, at the appointment she said must be a mistake as my screen says smear appointment I explained that is what I requested and could she help me make one her reply ..... you need to phone reception online is only for consultations. 😭