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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

114 replies

Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 17:47

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

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 03/03/2025 22:02

Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 17:47

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

I had almost exactly the same scenario last week. When I rang 101 they booked an appointment with my surgery for me. A few minutes later a doctor rang to tell me what time to go in.
Try 101 again and see if they can get an appt for you.

fetchacloth · 03/03/2025 22:06

0ohLarLar · 03/03/2025 21:39

My GP surgery is fine. There's an online form but the dr calls you back fast and im often offered an appointment within a couple of hours. If its something less serious the appointment might be with the nurse or paramedic which is fine, but you can also still get GP appointments, when I've really needed one I haven't had an issue getting one.

I do wonder, in these parts of the country where an appointment is impossible, is it that:

  • you can get an appt if you call at 8am
  • there are appointments.... 3 weeks away
  • you can get appointments but its an area with a lot of people with chronic/severe poor health and so an otherwise working age adult with a chest infection etc won't make the cut at triage?
  • there literally are no doctors at the practice or very few for the number of patients

Would love to hear from some GPs what sorts of patients they do tend to see most/what sort of thing is prioritised in the triage etc

I would also welcome an investigation into this situation as our local group practice is really struggling and has been for some time.
I get the impression that it's a combination of too many patients on the list and not enough doctors to fulfil patient's requests, or may be something more complex. Whatever the cause it really needs fixing as we have no alternatives other than to go private.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 03/03/2025 22:37

Swiftie1878 · 03/03/2025 22:02

I had almost exactly the same scenario last week. When I rang 101 they booked an appointment with my surgery for me. A few minutes later a doctor rang to tell me what time to go in.
Try 101 again and see if they can get an appt for you.

Show quote history

Thanks, I'll try that otherwise it's the walk in for me!

OP posts:
Motorroller · 03/03/2025 23:03

Cotswoldmama · 03/03/2025 20:25

I personally can't see the benefit other than maybe they need fewer receptionists as they'll have less phone calls. I also find it strange as we always prefer patient to come in rather than a phone call because it's much better for doctors to assess them face to face. The doctor surgery I'm registered at does bookings over the phone, so I don't really understand how online triage works. At my surgery monday is the day we have the most doctors in and apps so something might not be urgent enough for a same day app usually but if it looks like we might have empty slots we would book more routine apps in. I wonder if these online triage systems would do that or would all routine app just get offered a routine slot and urgent on the day slots ones get left empty?
I personally think it's better to talk to someone. We have one day a week when for some reason we have less doctors than usual and occasionally then we have to triage, which involves taking the info from the patient and the duty doctor deciding if they can see them at the end of clinic or if we override a pm app or 111 or if they think it's routine and they can be seen another day.

Show quote history

Thanks, it’s interesting how they vary so much. It seems like it almost impossible to get routine appointments these days.

AngryLikeHades · 03/03/2025 23:10

That's appalling, OP. I'm glad mine isn't like this.

RhaenysRocks · 04/03/2025 06:45

The surgeries in my area all belong to a group and they've coordinated so if one doesn't have a slot, another might. One is now also open on Sat/ Sun and until 9pm which has made it so much easier. Im a teacher so being told "the Dr will call sometime on Thursday morning" is no good to me but I've been able to get regular appointments since the changes described above.

Corneliafunk · 04/03/2025 06:51

I too think you may have a chest infection- I had a mild one several years ago. I felt so unwell. Was given antibiotics and was signed off work for 3 days.
I work at a local hospital - we have the odd Covid case - one currently on the ward I was visiting, so I was masked up today. I would test as well if I were you.

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 04/03/2025 07:16

Corneliafunk · 04/03/2025 06:51

I too think you may have a chest infection- I had a mild one several years ago. I felt so unwell. Was given antibiotics and was signed off work for 3 days.
I work at a local hospital - we have the odd Covid case - one currently on the ward I was visiting, so I was masked up today. I would test as well if I were you.

I suspect that too, we'll see what joys bring today when I try and see a Dr!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wintersgirl · 04/03/2025 07:17

AngryLikeHades · 03/03/2025 23:10

That's appalling, OP. I'm glad mine isn't like this.

I know it's so bad I think I will complain, it's almost as if they don't want anyone seeing the Drs at all

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 04/03/2025 07:34

GPs are leaving and not being replaced

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 04/03/2025 08:27

HelenWheels · 04/03/2025 07:34

GPs are leaving and not being replaced

Yes we used to have 6 now there's only 3, it's a massive difference

OP posts:
Tarquinthecat · 06/03/2025 16:01

lizardorchid · 03/03/2025 20:29

You’re really not. GP funding has been eroded for years. The service you see now is what can be delivered on the funding the government gives GPs. It is absolutely not right but it is fact. Please write to your MP. They have the power to change the situation.

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And where do you think the government gets its money from?

It's us!

maddening · 08/03/2025 21:01

Wintersgirl · 04/03/2025 08:27

Yes we used to have 6 now there's only 3, it's a massive difference

Show quote history

Did you get an appointment op?

Original poster
Wintersgirl · 08/03/2025 22:28

Would you believe it but no, however DH has private health insurance through work and they've done an an assesment on me over the phone, they're going to contact my Dr to tell them I need to be seen by them ASAP, let hope this works! Thanks for asking x

OP posts:
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