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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dr's phone calls when you work

317 replies

Hateam · 30/08/2024 05:57

To get an appointment with my GP I have to log onto a website at 8am and hope to get a phone call sometime that day.

What do people who have jobs where they are not allowed to take personal phone calls do?

I'm a teacher, my neighbour is a bus driver.

AIBU to suggest this system doesn't work for many working people?

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 30/08/2024 06:01

Yanbu.
There is a vast difference between practices however, not sure why.
My parents' GP practice is streets ahead of my own in pretty much all respects.

Karmaisac4t · 30/08/2024 06:07

My old practice was the same, I ended up moving GPs because of it. Mine now is call at 8am and your given an appointment.

MsStella · 30/08/2024 06:09

Yes it's nonsensical. Mine are the same and if you miss the call they don't call you back and won't let you call them back without starting the whole ridiculous process again. Probably fine for the unemployed but crap if you are working.

garlictwist · 30/08/2024 06:11

Mine is call at 8am which I can't do as I'm in the office and can't make personal calls as I'm customer facing.

I make appointments by physically going in to the surgery and standing in front of the desk. The last appointment I made was in May - and the soonest they could get me in was this Tuesday (three months!) I accepted it, then on the morning I got a text saying it was cancelled. What a joke.

Mukey · 30/08/2024 06:15

I used to be lucky because I had a day off in the week so would ring the doctor on my day off and they'd call me that day.
I still have a day off in the week however my doctor has changed its system. You now have to fill out an online form and they will ring you back another day. And you absolutely cannot request a specific day. So I'm now screwed. I'm a dental hygienist. I can't take an entire day off with only 24-48 hours warning (and because my work is so busy with no where to put the patients I'd have to move) for a simple non urgent issue.
I've tried asking to be called on my day off. I'm explained that an issue isn't urgent so I don't mind waiting for a few weeks. Nope. I'll fill on the form on Monday to get a reply on Tuesday that someone will call me on Wednesday. And that's it. So quite frankly I have no idea how I'll be able to see a doctor in the foreseeable future.
Obviously if it's urgent I'd take a day off. But in lots of cases things aren't that urgent and it seems ridiculous to not only screw over my job and my patients, but also lose an entire day's pay (self employed) for something non urgent.

TeenToTwenties · 30/08/2024 06:19

I ended up paying for a private GP re weight and related issues. I go back every 2-3 months and just run other stuff past him then and I'll only use nhs one if need tests or prescriptions or urgent.

NeverAloneNeverAgain · 30/08/2024 06:20

YANBU I have the same issue. Recently had a blood test and a message from the drs to arrange an appointment. Called and spoke with receptionist who advised the Dr wanted a telephone appointment to discuss results and they would schedule a call between 8-1 the following day. I asked if there was anyway I could be given a time so I could manage my work diary and make sure I'm free - apparently not. Asked if I could make an appointment so I could book time off - no because there are no available bookable appointments and dr needed to speak with me. Receptionist did put a note on to request an early call due to working however by 10am still no call and I had to get on and do my job. Missed call at 11.20 - voicemail to contact surgery. Rang back and the process starts again.

Littlemisscapable · 30/08/2024 06:21

Yes its a totally ridiculous system. Why can't they just give you an hour slot or something ? And yet they are always reminding us to follow up anything unusual and see a GP. How ?

cunoyerjudowel · 30/08/2024 06:21

You are spot on as especially if you get the call you need to be available for an appt within 40 mins, I work in the emergency services and have a 40 min commute- what an I expected to do?

Woe betide you work a 10 hour shift and you have controlled drug prescription- I have to attend physically to order mine on a piece of paper from the gp then nominate a pharmacy which may or may not have it in stock - and pick it up, every month

Luckily my GP in the last appointment listened to the issue about getting emergency appointments and literally lets me attend at 8 and he will see me if I sit and wait, due to the fact me missing work will likely increase the workload of the nhs significantly

It is not the choice the system of the appointments or the choice of the receptionists so I really do feel for them

TeenToTwenties · 30/08/2024 06:28

I think they need 3 categories not 2.

Urgent same day.
Routine in next 2-3 weeks.

But also, not urgent urgent, but worrying/may get worse, to be seen in 2-3 days.

CelieandNettie · 30/08/2024 06:34

I have the same as a teacher. To book an appointment I can ring at 8.30 except I can't as I'm with children. When I can ring at lunchtime the appointments have all gone.
I went into the surgery and was told that I can see a doctor in the school holidays ! I spoke to the practice manager and told her the appointment system was discriminatory towards working people and is only truly effective for those who are unemployed or retired.
Nothing has changed

CherryBlossomFestival · 30/08/2024 06:45

My practice allows online bookings a week ahead. It doesn’t work for nurse appointments and it’s apparently impossible to get a smear test at any time, ever, but GP appointments work well. Can you ask around locally and see if any other practices are better, OP?

Original poster
Hateam · 30/08/2024 06:49

CherryBlossomFestival · 30/08/2024 06:45

My practice allows online bookings a week ahead. It doesn’t work for nurse appointments and it’s apparently impossible to get a smear test at any time, ever, but GP appointments work well. Can you ask around locally and see if any other practices are better, OP?

I did ask around, admittedly about 10 years ago, but when I gave my address they just I could only register with my local GP.

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:50

well it has been difficult for years.
ring on the day, if you can, and may be get an appointment that day. and if you can't, you need a sympathetic boss either way

HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:52

i try and ring on my way to work, pull over at 8, before the computer system started.
otherwise, if i need to book on the computer system, i would need to either do it at home before i left, or again pull over and log on on my phone

ginasevern · 30/08/2024 06:52

MsStella · 30/08/2024 06:09

Yes it's nonsensical. Mine are the same and if you miss the call they don't call you back and won't let you call them back without starting the whole ridiculous process again. Probably fine for the unemployed but crap if you are working.

I'm so glad I'm not alone. My surgery is the same. I work in a job where I can't just take a call at the drop of a hat too. It's bonkers and dangerous.

Original poster
Hateam · 30/08/2024 06:53

HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:50

well it has been difficult for years.
ring on the day, if you can, and may be get an appointment that day. and if you can't, you need a sympathetic boss either way

Even with a sympathetic boss some jobs mean it's not possible.

Should a bus driver just pull over in the middle of a route and have a private conversation about their health in front of all the passengers?

OP posts:
CherryBlossomFestival · 30/08/2024 06:55

@Hateam It’s tricky in some areas, but it might be worth asking around again if you live in a town or city? From what I’ve seen (in a city) people on my road are at 3 or 4 different practices, but I know in rural areas there often isn’t a choice.

HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:56

no so the bus driver would obviously ask the boss,
i need to be off work @ 8 am to book an appointment.
same with any job

HelenaJustina · 30/08/2024 06:58

To see anyone at my practice, not even for a GP, I have to fill in an online form (after 8am but before the system is ‘full’). Then a receptionist will call me (no option to choose time) to arrange a time for a GP/nurse etc to call me. If you miss either call, you’ve got to start again. No option to book appointments online.

My smear is 3 months overdue because I can’t face the hassle of booking it.

cunoyerjudowel · 30/08/2024 06:58

HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:56

no so the bus driver would obviously ask the boss,
i need to be off work @ 8 am to book an appointment.
same with any job

However the driver would need to be free for the call back from the doctor at an unspecified time

Not all practices allow you to call and will give you an appointment. The doctor often needs a conversation with you first then may ask you to attend

Original poster
Hateam · 30/08/2024 06:58

HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 06:56

no so the bus driver would obviously ask the boss,
i need to be off work @ 8 am to book an appointment.
same with any job

But the phone call with the GP could be anytime that day.

Does the drive have to take a day off work at short notice to have a 10 minute phone call?

OP posts:
MultiplaLight · 30/08/2024 07:00

I'm a teacher OP and take the whole day off. It's ridiculous but the only way.

Original poster
Hateam · 30/08/2024 07:00

I think ringing in sick and saying I need to make a GP appointment is now a valid thing to do.

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 30/08/2024 07:01

i assume the surgery would text you when the call will be, that is what they did with me
and it was two days later!