To think this GP appointment booking system is insane?

[Ezlo]

My surgery is open each weekday. There are two ways to book an appointment. Online form or by standing in a queue. Both options are open from 8am.

Today is the second day I've missed out on getting an appointment as bookings have now closed due to unprecedented demand. I commute between 8am and 8.45am so cannot access the online booking system any earlier. I am so frustrated!

Our surgery has a similar system, and it is a complete joke.

I was told if you go on the system after midnight, you have a better chance of getting an appointment as it is updated then.

I agree it’s completely dysfunctional.

We can now only book appointments via the online form, and even then when I’ve tried all they’ll offer is a phone call several days later.

I like the idea of a free-at-point-of-use healthcare system, but when I can’t actually access healthcare promptly (nor have much confidence in the services ability).

Insane. My one is booked up within minutes- automated phone line saying not to go to A and E and then the receptionist saying they can only see you in an dire emergency or get the doctor to call back in within 2-3 days.

Online triage has worked well for me/my family. Can only use during surgery hours but have never encountered it being closed due to demand. A first come first served system is not appropriate in mg opinion.

So what's your solution? There is a limited number of appointments and escalating demand. Many people cannot use an online booking system (older adults, people with intellectual disabilities, visual loss or simply no internet access). What system would you design?

Is it an option for you to get to work early so you can access the online form once you're there?

Online form is available from 8am to 3pm - except it isn't! They closed it at 10am yesterday as they 'couldn't accept any more requests'.... I filled the form in at 8am this morning (you can't start before 8am and save to submit later). To phone you need to be on at 8am and can be cut off after 50 minutes without getting through........ And they wonder why people go to the minor injuries unit or A&E!

Online at mine works well. Phoning is next to useless. Just glad we lucky enough to not need the gp

It will be interesting to see how the planned changes actually impact the ability to book appointments . Lots of surgeries seem to use this system, our surgery is usually better mid week, DD goes to a surgery where you can only book an emergency appointment on the day, anything else is booked ahead, she works 8-5 so asks for appointments post 5pm, her earliest offered appointment when she last tried to book in January was for mid March

I have never encountered our online form being closed. I don't see why they would stop accepting requests as I am sure most people don't need an urgent appointment. It is more common that there won't be any appointments left once they send you a booking link but phoning the surgery (in the afternoon) and relaying it to them always resulted in them booking one for me, typically within 3-4 days.

Could you with get to work early or leave 5 minutes later and do the online form before you go?

I would type everything out I needed to put in the form and copy and paste it over.
Are you sure you can't go through the NHS app? The form is open 24/7. You need to register but it should be easier this way

My GP is completely different. They have 3 practices and they all share the telephone system so when you ring, you get through to whichever receptionist who's able to book appointments for any of the branches. They're all relatively close together so they can give you an appointment at either surgery, whatever works. When you're waiting for someone to answer, it also gives you the option to request a call back instead and usually they ring back within 20 mins. I've not needed an urgent appointment recently, but anything I've needed there's usually space within a week.

Our surgery releases appointments throughout the day so although there is a rush at 8am they don't all go because not all of them are available to book. It is a large surgery though and you can see an advanced nurse practitioner or a PA depending on what you need to be seen for. They also do telephone appointments too. I did this recently as it was a follow up and it was just to confirm the meds were working and I wasn't having any horrific side effects.

If you can't get through then contact the practice manager and tell them that. Hopefully with enough feedback they may be able to restructure how they do their appointments.

I hear you OP. It's either a call at 8am where only 30 people are allowed to queue, the rest are told to call back later (automated voice) but all appointments are gone by then, or online which is closed after 10 minutes due to capacity.

I've been trying to get an appointment since Christmas for my out of control blood pressure ironically enough.

Ours do that too. Could not understand why I have to be online at a specific time to book an appointment. It’s an online system so should surely be 24 hours?!

On a different note, I saw an actual doctor last week! First time in over 5 years. Didn’t actually need to see one as I needed a referral for something so had no discernible systems that needed a diagnosis 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have you thought of signing up to an online GP's?
I use GP at Hand (NHS so it's free). Never have to wait more than 24hrs for an appt. Prescriptions are sent directly to my pharmacists.

The only hassle is if i need to see the doctor face to face, as their office is a little bit away from me, but all the appt. are by video phone and in 3 years only had to see the doctor in-person once.

Ours is very similar and I just can't what has changed. It all worked well pre-covid and now if you are lucky enough to get an appointment then the waiting room is completely empty even thought appointments are like hen's teeth. It does feel like they are now allowed to provide a poorer service.

Would love to hear from any GPs who can explain what's gone wrong.

Ours opens at 7am. Last week I tried at 730 and it was full

I logged on to ours at 8.06 and the online system was closed and advised me to call 111 or go to a&e. I just would like someone to look at a couple of skin patches!

I agree it's a pain but the easy answer is you need to find some way to do the online form at 8am. I would leave for work 15 mins early, pull over somewhere safe at 7.55 and do the online form on my phone, or take my laptop and hotspot it to my phone and do it in the car.

i fill in form on line always when very ill i have a lot of health issues. i get a text within an hour each time on list for on call gp to phone i always get a phone call same morning, i must have great doctors, i know other people who cant get appointments. so i know its hard

We can send the online triage form in from 6am, works so much better

You can't ring ours. It's either use the online form or physically go to the surgery.

The online form gives the choice between same day or "my problem can wait six weeks "

I jest not.

However my mother's surgery you can phone up and generally get an appointment within 3-4 days

Why can't you do the online form on your phone while commuting?
Sorry, was thinking commute = public transport but you may be driving I guess.