To complain to GP practice?

[Cluedokeys]

Or am I being a drama queen?

Long story short, I’m worried I might have skin cancer. New and changing moles which look hideously similar to the examples of melanoma on the NHS website, I’m exhausted, and covered in a new, odd, blood fleck rash. I’m 31.
Prior to this I’ve not needed to see a GP for years.

I cannot get an appointment. I’ve called everyday for two weeks at the exact phone opening time in the morning, waited on hold for 40-55 minutes each day, to be told no appointments available and to call back tomorrow. You cannot make an appointment for a future date, you cannot make an appointment in person. Apparently, you can make an appointment online, but my partner and I have checked continuously for the last 2 weeks including at night and there are never any available. I’ve filled in an online consultation form which the auto response tells me will be reviewed by staff at the end of April, which is something I suppose, but I’m absolutely panicking that if it is something sinister, I need to be referred quite quickly for the best outcome.

I’m not sure whether the worry is clouding my judgement and I need to just calm down and keep trying, no big deal, or whether actually this is a pretty dismal set up which is worthy of a complaint?

Thanks all.
In the end I got so stressed out that I stopped trying to get an appointment and just waited for the online consultation to be reviewed. When it was reviewed (3 and a half weeks later in the end) I was offered an in-person GP appointment the following week, and from that I’ve now been referred to the hospital on the 2 week wait pathway.

Our GP's normally ask for a photo of the lesion then review and give appt if concerned. Could you take a photo and send to GP by email? I have an app called skin vision where you can upload photos of concerns and they are reviewed by doctors and tell you if you should see a GP/dermatologist. They picked up a BCC which was then removed by dermatology.

I'm very glad you've been seen, but it must be worrying that you had to wait 4-5 weeks before starting on the two week pathway.

If you can face it, maybe write to the practice manager saying that you understand why the wait was so long but pointing out that you've now had a 5 week delay to diagnosis and potential treatment. You could even say that you are happy for them to share your complaint with the ICB / other authorities as evidence as to GPs need to be better resourced.

Glad you’ve been seen but that’s awful. Definitely complain.

Practices are given funding in line with their patient list size and they should be making sure there are enough appointments.

To have to wait 4 and a half weeks to be referred on to a two week cancer pathway is absolutely appalling.

edit: also complain to your local ICB not just the practice. It may be a system problem but the ‘system’ needs to know.

OP, here is my suggestion:

1. Visit this website to find your local ICB: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-your-local-integrated-care-board/
2. Look for a contact us section, even better if it mentions 'primary care' or 'GP practices'. Find a phone number at the ICB and call them.
3. They should be able to tell you how to get in touch with the GP formally (if they are ignoring you) or even put you in touch with commissioning teams.

Your local/regional ICB can, or should, be very concerned if you cannot get an appointment for something this serious. They contract the services, after all. Either way, make a polite, but well-informed, nuisance of yourself.

My previous surgery wouldn't let you make an appointment if you called in person. Insisted you had to ring. Once I stood in reception ringing them and could see the receptionist answer it ( after letting it ring for ages) only to tell me no appointments. This was way before covid

This sounds crazy but post a letter to them! It’ll get there the next day, it’s in writing and they’ll have to acknowledge it!!

Our town has a walk in GP surgery at the hospital. Have you checked your local a&e to see if they do?

Please see someone asap. Skin cancers are usually easily treatable but I know from family experience that there are rare ones which are time sensitive and need treating very quickly.

Sorry didn't see your update. So glad you have the referral. Hope it's a false alarm obviously but if not glad you're being seen quickly now and will hopefully get treatment quickly too. Best of luck.