more a wwyd. No GP appointments

[Cheshiresquirrelsss]

I rarely see the GP so haven't had this issue but I need an appointment and need (don't wanna go into details) signing off. There are no appointments available to book online, when you ring the surgery they cannot book me in as there is nothing for 3 weeks and they cannot book one in further (so they say and I need a GP sooner anyways). There is no e- consult. The only chance is ringing bang on at 8 am but I cannot make a phone call at 8 due to circumstances and by the time I can call at 8:30, all appointments have gone.

I never had that problem. Any idea?

Swap practices to one that accepts e consults like any decent 2024 gp surgery

Sign yourself off work for the first week, you can self certify for up to 5 days. On your first day off, go to the GP surgery in person at 8am and ask for an appointment asap.

You can self cert for the first 7 days, then maybe email a request for a sick note that starts the day your self cert ends. Remember that sick notes can be backdated a little, so don't panic if the hard copy isn't in your hand the day your self cert expires.

To self cert, go on the Gov.uk website and take it from there.

I second this, go to your surgery at 8am and ask the receptionist to book you in.

I would either phone 111 or email your surgery explaining the problem and see what they suggest. It's ridiculous you can't get an appointment any other way.

That's easier said than done these days!

It’s rubbish but you will have to find a way to ring at 8am.
OR
Do they offer out of hours appointments at a local health centre? I have been offered these sometimes when there are no appointments left at my surgery. You won’t see your own GP but it all works the same.
OR
Change surgeries.

Online doctor? But you would have to pay and it depends on whether you think that would be useful. You can self certify for five days. But as pp said it may be worth thinking about switching gp's.

Do you live in Utopia?!

Any chance you can go private for a one off?

If I was really desperate I would book and pay for a private GP appointment

I face the same thing with our GP surgery; but when I explain that I've already self-cert'd for a week and need a fit note to continue my absence, they miraculously find me a telephone appointment for later that day or the next day. I don't know where they magic it up from but they seem to understand that employers need us to do this.

If you’re sick enough that you’re already confident that being signed off work is going to be the foregone conclusion of an appointment, there’s usually an email or messaging portal facility where you can explain the urgency of the situation and why you need to be seen right away. All surgeries hold back emergency appointments.

will have a look. never had sick note. Thanks.

its stress but it's an extremely stressful personal situation. I just need a break before I lose it.

Usually doctors won’t give you a sick note until you have already been off for a week as that’s how long you can self certify for.

I'm sorry you're unwell at the moment.
Unfortunately with many surgeries you have to phone at 8am.

Is there no way you can rearrange things at home be free to phone at this time? You're health is the priority

i cannot. I am out driving my disabled child to a special school further away. I cannot arrange appointments whilst driving and we need to be at school on time so I can arrive at work on time. We are on a very tight schedule. I just cannot be at home making phone calls at 8 (never mind the long queue on top)..

GP very unlikely to issue fit note until you have already been off a week and self certified for that week. So go off and then ring GP surgery whilst off and explain the situation.

I’m sorry your unwell, like others have said you can self cert for the first week, doctors can backdate sick notes too so if you’re confident you’ll get signed off just go sick and sort the sick note while your off.

You can also try 111 as they have a certain amounts of appointments set aside by GP surgeries so they may be able to offer you one of those appointments with your surgery.
Also try googling or search Facebook for ' town name, PCN (primary care network) enhanced access.' Alot of areas now offer this service so there may be one running in your area.

Id make plans to be available at 8am. Its a bother and frustrating but if thats how their system works, thats how it is.

Can’t you call while in the car? Most cars have Bluetooth/connection for hands free calls these days.

Email them for a sick note

Ah - Ive just seen that phoning at 8am is a conflict with getting your child to school. Really annoying and frustrating. Id either somehow find a way for someone else to take them that day. Or my child would be a bit late that morning - once you've got through and logged your issue you'll be fine to carry on your morning until they call you back etc. Which may happen as soon as 8:10 if you are super quick and persistant at phoning from the second their lines open.

Just call hands free when in the car ?
Plug your phone in ?