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?

DP has been told he can't renew his prescription for medication (that is literally keeping him alive), until he's had a review. The nearest available appointment is in February...he has enough meds left to last 2 weeks. We're just praying he's at home when the seizures start.

There could be patients in treatment rooms waiting for ambulances

There could, but I bet there isn't.

I'm sure all the receptionists will trot out the good old "we are on our knees".

Doing what Christ only knows.

This thread is pretty shocking. We've had one receptionist on this thread defending her practice, but other than that, no gps or receptionists attempting to give us some insight into what's going on in the background.

If they did, no doubt we would hear how genuinely overworked, overwhelmed and short staffed they are.

And we get that. However. The current way of working is CLEARLY not working. This needs to be looked at urgently.

My experience recently was fighting to get a face to face appointment for a cancerous mole. To be told no need for f2f, telephone consultation good enough. I'll refer you to dermatologist but it will be two years before you'll be seen.

I was shocked no one would visibly inspect it. I went privately. Shudder to think what the consequences would have been if I'd just waited two years as they advised.

castawave - That is really bad, but I have to say when I had a mole on my arm that I wanted checked, I did the econsult and sent a photo and within 48 hours was offered a face to face appointment. Was referred to the dermatology clinic under the 2 week wait and was seen within that time. It was fortunately a harmless keratosis. This would have been 12-18 months ago.

I am very much of the opinion that GPs and the NHS in general is being deliberately underfunded so that it can be ‘improved’ by privatisation.

I would have stood in reception and rang on my phone starting them dead eye at the same time. What a joke

“The current way of working is clearly not working”

Absolutely agree and with such clear consensus from nearly everybody that the system is broken, it is beyond belief that the many problems haven’t been addressed already. Currently the way GP practices are operating are putting people in danger every single day.

Exactly! All the consulting room doors are open with no one in them whenever I call in to drop off my consultants letters (I get them to sign for them otherwise they deny knowing about my condition), definitely no “emergencies” or anything else happening behind the scenes.

My smear test appointment was changed to a telephone appointment and when I went in (to the almost empty building) I was told that it had to be by telephone and then the nurse would decide whether I should be allowed to book an in person appointment! So I had my telephone appointment and was told that the system would be updated “within two working days” to allow me to telephone to book an in person appointment. I start work at 8 am and can’t make personal calls so had to wait until the next half term break so I could ‘phone at 8am to make an appointment!

The whole thing is a joke.

I'm with you on this one!

Sorry, but COVID can only be used as an excuse for so long imo. This is getting ridiculous.
I've also had experiences where I've needed a GP to LOOK at something, and have been fobbed off with phone appointments only.
There's no way the backlog is going to get whittled down if no ones bloody well being seen!!

What a smear test by phone!!!!
What did you do go on video and get the spoons out?

I know we are incredibly lucky with our GP surgery (rural area).

I phoned up the other day as DS was unwell. Phoned at 8.30am got straight through to reception and an appointment that morning.

Similar story every time I use GP. I had my coil changed by the female GP in the surgery. Received a letter, phoned up and booked an appointment for a few weeks later. I cannot fault them at all. I assume it’s because it’s a low population area that it can maintain its services.

Yet my in-laws can barely get through on the phone at their surgery, and my friend ended up just going private for a uti as she couldn’t even get through to her GP. People are going to A&E for issues that could’ve been treated by a GP but they can’t get seen. And god knows what’s being missed! And same story, if you actually somehow manage to get an appointment the place is like a ghost town with no patients in the building!

I’ve no idea what the answer is, but whatever they’re doing now is clearly not working for lots and lots of people!