Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

One illness/condition per phone call to the Surgery..to the surgery o

76 replies

dottypotter · 12/02/2024 16:53

Phoned the doctors surgery this morning.The receptionist asked what was wrong and I mentioned two things.

She said only one per call. So I choose the main one I felt was more urgent.
After further questioning she told me I could ring the chemist as they could treat it.
I rang the chemist, they called me back later in the morning, with some questions and then told me I could pop down and pick up a prescription which I did.
Other problems been shelved for now.
In the past you would have just gone to the doctor and mentioned the other thing while you were there.
Now it seems you cant?
What do you think?
Has it happened to you?
Sorry Pharmarcy not Chemist.

OP posts:
Snowsp · 12/02/2024 17:04

I'm 38 and this has been the case since I can remember so 20 plus years. It's not a new thing. Have you not need the GP in the past 20 years? You can make a double appointment most places in my experience. Why would you not call up the surgery for your next complaint/issue? I feel like lots of people are not very proactive with their health and seem to expect health services to check in with them. This has never been my experience, if you want test results, a follow up or an appointment you have to ask for it. NO one is denying you an appointment for your health issues, which is how you make it sound.

Theunamedcat · 12/02/2024 17:08

It's how things get missed

Happened to me went in discussing symptoms on the way out she said are you busy today (friendly dr) I said yes im just going to make another appointment for x symptom then I'm back into work the look of dismay on her face "why didn't you say that?" Whipped my prescription out my hand "let's start again"

bingoitsadingo · 12/02/2024 17:13

Snowsp · 12/02/2024 17:04

I'm 38 and this has been the case since I can remember so 20 plus years. It's not a new thing. Have you not need the GP in the past 20 years? You can make a double appointment most places in my experience. Why would you not call up the surgery for your next complaint/issue? I feel like lots of people are not very proactive with their health and seem to expect health services to check in with them. This has never been my experience, if you want test results, a follow up or an appointment you have to ask for it. NO one is denying you an appointment for your health issues, which is how you make it sound.

How can you make a double appointment if the receptionist won’t let you mention the second issue?

Insanity

Theminer · 12/02/2024 17:16

It’s an utterly stupid system. How on earth do they think they will pick up illnesses with a constellation of symptoms if you can only tell them one?!

lanthanum · 12/02/2024 17:16

What they can't cope with is people turning up with a massive list to be dealt with in a 10 minute appointment - and a lot of people have something niggling that they've not bothered to make an appointment for that they'd like to bring up while they're there. It should be possible to ask for a double appointment, particularly if it's things that may be connected.

I've also found doctors very receptive to "since that was quick, can I just ask about something else, or should I make another appointment?"

It's all very difficult; because they seem so over-stretched, I think a lot of us are not asking about things that may need checking out. I'm glad I eventually went about something that could just have been "being unfit" - because it turned out to be something quite serious. It would still have been better if I'd gone much earlier.

Snowsp · 12/02/2024 17:21

bingoitsadingo · 12/02/2024 17:13

How can you make a double appointment if the receptionist won’t let you mention the second issue?

Insanity

Show quote history

You say I have more than one thing to discuss can I have a double appointment. If the receptionist is stopping you from speaking to the point you can't get this short sentence out then I think I'd be thinking about moving surgeries.

They may act like they are there to gatekeep appointments but I think challenging obstructive behaviour is how you get what you need.

nothingcomestonothing · 12/02/2024 17:23

Yeah I know someone who wanted to discuss both his night sweats and the lump in his neck. Was told (quite rudely) by the receptionist ' nu uh, one thing only'. Yep, the lump in his neck and the night sweats were both symptoms of his lymphoma.

I know GPs are ridiculously pushed, but they can't diagnose properly if patients feel they're only allowed to mention one symptom. The Dr needs all of the info to work out what's going on.

Boomer55 · 12/02/2024 17:24

Our GP has been like this for years. They can only cope with one problem at a time.🙄

NowYouSee · 12/02/2024 17:26

I asked the receptionist for a double appointment as I had two separate issues needing GP attention. “No, you’ll just have to talk fast” is what I got told.

lieselotte · 12/02/2024 17:29

And then when you get there, they want to talk about smear tests or the fact you've been on HRT "too long" rather than the thing you actually went for!

Cuts both ways!

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 12/02/2024 17:32

I would ignore this!
I am a dentist and people seem to have no concerns about attending with and telling me about multiple problems!
If pushed for time I only look at what is bothering them the most but rebook for other things to be sorted.
In the mouth it is far less likely to be part of a bigger picture than with a general medical practitioner so crack on telling them it all. Just say can I just tell you this in case it’s connected Dr….
Obviously common sense is required as in if one is a sprained wrist and the other is piles, you yourself know that’s not connected!
On the other hand if one problem is gynaecological and the other is fatigue, they may be connected, so both symptoms are necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Original poster
dottypotter · 12/02/2024 17:32

Snowsp · 12/02/2024 17:04

I'm 38 and this has been the case since I can remember so 20 plus years. It's not a new thing. Have you not need the GP in the past 20 years? You can make a double appointment most places in my experience. Why would you not call up the surgery for your next complaint/issue? I feel like lots of people are not very proactive with their health and seem to expect health services to check in with them. This has never been my experience, if you want test results, a follow up or an appointment you have to ask for it. NO one is denying you an appointment for your health issues, which is how you make it sound.

No not my experience. My experience with you would call and get an appointment. Go along and mention both things while you were there.
How you can it's not proactive, of course it is. If it wasn't you wouldn't b phoning the surgery at all.

OP posts:
Samsond · 12/02/2024 17:36

It's bloody ridiculous when it usually takes more than 1 symptom for a GP to have an idea of a diagnosis. Just means stuff gets missed

girlfriend44 · 12/02/2024 17:36

It's all gone crazy.
The pharmacist will need a receptionist soon.

Yes I could book an appointment up until recently. No questions asked. No triage.

Then I could say when I got there I've got 2 things and it would be OK with the doctor.
Neither of them were very long and drawn out.
Job done.

BakingQueen14 · 12/02/2024 17:42

nothingcomestonothing · 12/02/2024 17:23

Yeah I know someone who wanted to discuss both his night sweats and the lump in his neck. Was told (quite rudely) by the receptionist ' nu uh, one thing only'. Yep, the lump in his neck and the night sweats were both symptoms of his lymphoma.

I know GPs are ridiculously pushed, but they can't diagnose properly if patients feel they're only allowed to mention one symptom. The Dr needs all of the info to work out what's going on.

This is exactly what happened to my mother. Only allowed to mention one symptom at each appointment and no one joined the dots so night sweats equalled menopause etc. Actually she had all the main symptoms of lymphoma which was very advanced when it was found. She was treated with really strong chemo in the end which worked for the lymphoma but ruined her immune system so she ended up dying of covid not long after. I sometimes spiral down a rabbit hole of if it had been diagnosed earlier by mentioning all the symptoms together, the outcome would've been better although that isn't really helpful and changes nothing. I think maybe I'm just bitter!

I hope your friend is OK now @nothingcomestonothing

Original poster
dottypotter · 12/02/2024 17:42

Snowsp · 12/02/2024 17:21

You say I have more than one thing to discuss can I have a double appointment. If the receptionist is stopping you from speaking to the point you can't get this short sentence out then I think I'd be thinking about moving surgeries.

They may act like they are there to gatekeep appointments but I think challenging obstructive behaviour is how you get what you need.

Show quote history

You can't always get an appt. You are referred to the pharmacist who can only take one complaint.

OP posts:
yarnwitch · 12/02/2024 17:43

My surgery has had a strict one complaint per appointment policy for years. They have posters up all round the waiting room saying it too.
I can see why they can't have someone going in with a list, but other symptoms could be needed for a diagnosis so common sense needs to be used.
If you know you have more than one issue then you have to book a double appointment, although that's easier said than done.

Pineapplewaves · 12/02/2024 17:44

The chemist helped you with the first issue without you needing a GP appointment (which would have gone to someone who did need it) so now you can phone back tomorrow and make an appointment about the other issue......

My GP practice has had a sign on the wall for years saying that people need to make one appointment per issue so it's nothing new where I live.

nothingcomestonothing · 12/02/2024 17:44

BakingQueen14 · 12/02/2024 17:42

This is exactly what happened to my mother. Only allowed to mention one symptom at each appointment and no one joined the dots so night sweats equalled menopause etc. Actually she had all the main symptoms of lymphoma which was very advanced when it was found. She was treated with really strong chemo in the end which worked for the lymphoma but ruined her immune system so she ended up dying of covid not long after. I sometimes spiral down a rabbit hole of if it had been diagnosed earlier by mentioning all the symptoms together, the outcome would've been better although that isn't really helpful and changes nothing. I think maybe I'm just bitter!

I hope your friend is OK now @nothingcomestonothing

Show quote history

I'm so sorry Flowers

Yes he is well thanks, he had chemo and radio and is now clear.

Dogfisher · 12/02/2024 17:44

It's completely ludicrous.

Mangledrake · 12/02/2024 17:47

NowYouSee · 12/02/2024 17:26

I asked the receptionist for a double appointment as I had two separate issues needing GP attention. “No, you’ll just have to talk fast” is what I got told.

This is a serious topic, but that sounds like a comedy sketch.

Original poster
dottypotter · 12/02/2024 17:48

Pineapplewaves · 12/02/2024 17:44

The chemist helped you with the first issue without you needing a GP appointment (which would have gone to someone who did need it) so now you can phone back tomorrow and make an appointment about the other issue......

My GP practice has had a sign on the wall for years saying that people need to make one appointment per issue so it's nothing new where I live.

If you can get through on the phone that is?

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 12/02/2024 17:49

So on the face of it i couldnt discuss wanting to start HRT and my change in bowel habits yet one can be linked to the other because lack of oestrogen can affect your gut microbiome

Moier · 12/02/2024 17:49

I go to my GP with a list.. l make a double appointment and only see two.. him for all my ailments.. female GP for female ailments..
He tells me to write it down and we go through it.
Been doing this for longer than l can remember..30 plus years since l changed practice.
Best two GPs I've ever had.
P.S l don't like the receptionist though.. we have locked heads on many occasions.

Mangledrake · 12/02/2024 17:50

yarnwitch · 12/02/2024 17:43

My surgery has had a strict one complaint per appointment policy for years. They have posters up all round the waiting room saying it too.
I can see why they can't have someone going in with a list, but other symptoms could be needed for a diagnosis so common sense needs to be used.
If you know you have more than one issue then you have to book a double appointment, although that's easier said than done.

Yes - the one complaint has been around for years.

I've never met a doctor who didn't take a common sense view of it. Either you check at the beginning if your symptoms might be related or you deal with the most pressing issue first and then ask if they have time for another

I can see the point in discouraging people from going in for an MOT.