I can't see a GP is anyone elses like this?

[Wintersgirl]

And it's really frustrating, I've had a chesty cough (green gunk...sorry) for 4 weeks now (i've now developed a high temp in the last day) with no sign of it going away, I filled in the online form to get triaged, you can't speak to anyone at my Drs, the message on the phone just tells me fill in the form and we'll get back to you within 2 days, call cuts dead

So I filled in the form, they got back to me a day later saying phone 111 which I did who promptly told me I need to see a Dr, ok fine so I filled in the form again, the GPs come back and say see a pharmacist because they can give out antibiotics if needed, not true at all the I phoned our local chemist and the Pharmacist say we can't do chests , you need to see a Dr....argh! So I fill in another form online saying what they said isn't true, waited a while longer and they come back and tell me go to A&E if things get worse, I don't need A&E i just want someone to listen to my chest! I feel like death but it really doesn't warrant a trip to hospital, does anyone else have this rigmarole or is it just mine? Thanks in advance

If feasible, go to the surgery and speak to the desk... saves time and effort and you'd speak to an actual person?

No wonder ppl are going to A&E Time to stop blaming patients for doing so

Have you got a walk in centre (not A&E)? 111 has normally been really good when I've had to ring and they will arrange an appointment at your GP or an appointment at an urgent treatment centre for you.

Will your doctors give you an appointment if you call first thing or is the online form the only way you can get an appointment?

No, we can get same day appts and forward appts by ringing or calling in. also future appts by an online booking service. You need to change GP.
Although - you do know that antibiotics are going to be unlikely to make a difference and you should wait it out….

We have but because the wait is almost as long as A&E because people can't see a GP, plus I think they're closed now, I might have to go down to the surgery as pp said

I would be emailing the practice manager with exactly what you’ve put in your OP and ask them what they suggest? That is so bad.

I do, you're right

Yeah I might have to, I'm not holding my breath ( not that I can!)

God that's awful you've clearly got a chest infection. You 100% need antibiotics. Hospital? Which sounds ridiculous I know. But you need a antibiotics.

Sorry OP, no great advice from me I just wanted to send solidarity.

this is also a good option if you can't get to the surgery

I might have to, I won't go all guns blazing because the drs are lovely when you can see one, it's the system which is total bollocks

I think you need to fill the form again and tick that you are feeling worse. Be careful not to overdo it accidentally otherwise it will send you to A&E. Do it in the morning to increase your chances.

Ok thanks, might have to do that, but to be honest it's not getting better anyway.

Yes our gp is like this now too. I preferred it when you could call at 8am and speak to a human.

Once this is sorted you need to complain to the governing bodies of the practice, the NHS and to your MP.

We are PAYING for GP service.

Are you filling a triage form or an econsult? If the former, try the latter. Oddly it seems to work better with a lot of GPs.

Yes ours was the same, at least you had a fighting chance with that system

Go to surgery.
Email practice manager.
Phone 111 and tell them the go won't see you and you have worsening lung symptoms.
Camp out at out of hours.

This is ridiculous.

My GP surgery are amazing and would see me within 2 hours for that description. Doesn't matter how lovely you say the GPs are. If they can't see patients with lung issues the practice isn't doing something right.

Triage, they told me the team has looked at my form and no Drs are available

You need an ANP appointment not a GP

I know it's so bad now, god knows how the tech phobe elderly can cope

@Wintersgirl , have you been to your local walk in centre?

Sorry what's an ANP appointment?

On what basis is it “clear” OP has a chest infection and “100%” needs antibiotics? Truth is antibiotics unlikely to make a difference BUT neither of us can be “100%” sure without examining the OP.

OP, hope you get to see someone soon.

Do an econsult. As I understand it the GPs have allocated time for looking at econsults. And then generally there are slots reserved for people that need to be seen off the back of an econsult. So at a lot of GPs you can get seen that way when you can't get seen via the triage. I know it's ridiculous.