Can drs have no pre bookable appointments?

[Franklyfranky]

I need some blood tests because I’m pretty such I’m anaemic and low vit d (have history of it symptoms are the same as when I’ve been quite poorly with it)

I cannot get a blood test without a gp appointment. I cannot pre book a GP appointment. I have to call the emergency line everyday. I cannot get through. Ive been told categorically the GP does not have pre bookable appointments. I thought they had to?

is anyone familiar with the guidelines to say if this is correct?

My GP surgery has an online triage form on their website, where you give a synopsis of your issue. I have only used it on two occasions, but each time I have received a phone call the same day, or the following morning, offering me an appointment with a first response physio, and the second time with a health care practitioner. I haven’t needed a GP appointment, but I have every confidence that it would work similarly.

I’m saying i feel pretty lousy and my symptoms have been the same when I’ve been badly aneamic and Vit d deficient. I’d like to see someone about this and likely book some blood tests in so I don’t feel so rubbish.

Not an option in this instance

My gp operates like the OP's.

They do allegedly have e-consult but it also doesn't work. You have to use it at 6:30 pm and as soon as I click on it I get "sorry full try again tomorrow".

6:30pm econsult is the new 8am phone call.

Tomorrow never comes when it's about GP appointments in uk.

It's really a ridiculous situation.

Same issue for me today. My practice does not offer anything but emergency appointments which are available to book on the phone from 8.30 am. No online forms/ pre book appointments.
I called this morning and was ‘ more than 30th in the queue’ according to the voicemail. I called back at the recommended’ quieter time’ after 10.30 and waited for 20 minutes during a break at work. No luck so I’ll have to try again tomorrow but it’s time consuming and I’m at work.
I don’t have an urgent problem but want to talk to someone about my perimenopause symptoms that are really getting on top of me. I cannot see how I can get any help.

I’m already supplementing with over the counter stuff but previously have needed prescriptions so yes I do need to see someone

Yep, my GPs only offer on the day appointments and it’s a PITA.

So in essence we’re in exactly the same situation.

i even have private care but there are holes in that emergency (a and e) face to face Gp services, routine blood tests and maternity care

Yes but in finance if you don't get through your workload people don't get sucker s d due.
In finance if you are tired and haven't slept and make an error you lose money but people don't get sicker or die due to it.

@Franklyfranky are you taking supplements?

Vit D and B12 are super cheap and will be cheaper to buy than the prescription charge.

Also take the best multivitamin you can afford. And for a full basic supplement regimen add fish oil or flaxseed oil, and probiotics.

Some people aren't into supplements but taking vit d is a no brainer especially in winter in uk.

It takes a while to turn a deficiency around but if you take the vitamins regularly you will improve. Also look at eating foods rich in what you are lacking.

Have you tried booking an appointment with the nurse instead? I usually get round it that way.

Just get some high dose iron over the counter and start taking it every other day. Buy some vit d at Tesco….. see if you feel better.

@Franklyfranky

Your GP situation sounds very frustrating and stressful. Not exactly what you were asking, but this might help?
You can buy an Iron rapid test from Boots for £7.99 here: https://www.boots.com/boots-iron-ferritin-rapid-test-10339961

You can also buy a Vitamin D rapid test from Boots (£7.99) here: https://www.boots.com/boots-vitamin-d-rapid-test-10339960

Obviously it’s really not ideal to pay, but hopefully this might be affordable for you and might help? They are both finger prick tests that give results in either 5 or 10 minutes that you can do yourself. And you could buy some supplements yourself if you’re really struggling to see a GP. For example Boots sells these Iron tablets for £3.40 https://www.boots.com/boots-iron-14mg-60-tablets-10292905

I guess the possible problem with this, is a blood test through your GP surgery will say whether you’re low on things like iron, and how low you are which will determine how high a dose of supplements you might or might not need. So perhaps buying the lower dosage supplements might be temporary help until you can see the GP and get your blood tests done officially that way? Your blood tests may also pick up other things that are high or low too as I know they test for a range of things (folic acid as just one example).

Can’t get a blood test, what an absolute state…

Are you down South? I’ve heard through work things are bad down south re doc appointments.

I am up North and we call and generally they raise is a link to an ‘e consult’ and you put in your issue and GP calls or texts depending on what option you want. For those ones GP usually responds that day.

For less urgent queries you can put in a form via the practise website - response time a few days. If I wanted a blood test I’d do that.

Is there any option like that at all OP? If not that’s shocking.

companies can lose millions though… sometimes even billions

I’ve found in healthcare there are little consequences for errors (at least from the outside perspective)

this surgery for instance is rated inadequate and the drs were suspended for 9 months and all aspects of care were failing, one gp permanently lost their licence but the report from cqc detailed actions that led to patient harm… basically people died because they denied care and suffered in it. They still are practicing, if I lost millions I’d lose my job.

midlands

Yes I am and have been consistently, I mean it may not be those things, hence why an appointment with a medic would be useful. But previously when I’ve felt like this despite supplementing I’ve never prescription supplements to make up the deficit

I don't understand how all these GP practices haven't got a messaging system. Surely it just makes more work for the staff answering the phones if they don't have one?

Literally the 4th time this has been said. I am already. I feel like death. I’m guessing on how I feel what’s wrong, I don’t know for certain hence why I need to see someone. Previously I’ve needed prescription supplements

Which is what I actually need a full array as I’m already supplementing and atm because of how I feel my quality of life is in the toilet

How do elderly people who don't use the internet get appointments?

Yes we are. Good luck. I’ve just looked on my NHS app and my GP website for options but nothing. I’m going to try and go in person tomorrow and request they suggest a way for me to access care!

Same, it does my head in. You have to ring at 8.00am (don't try after 8.10am) and then I am just expected to wait for a phone call at any point that day, as if I don't have an important job myself to be getting on with. They have an irritating habit of calling whilst I'm on the school run, then you feel guilty for missing it!

It was nightmare when I was just trying to get a right to choose referral for my son.

It's not set up for working people.

Oh, just seen your updates (must have been typing the above message while you sent them). Feel free to ignore the above then as I see you’re already taking over-the-counter supplements.

It’s downright awful that you’ve been ringing for weeks and still can’t get through. Could you try ringing 111 like someone else suggested?

Also thought it’s worth mentioning that I was told to eat broccoli and kale multiple times a week to boost my iron levels (you’re probably already doing this, but just in case it helps). Good luck, hope you get seen soon and feel better soon!

A letter usually works