Page 4 | To think this GP appointment booking system is insane?

Ezlo · 2025-03-11T08:53:48+00:00

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!

aliceinawonderland · 13/03/2025 10:31

I still don’t understand why they changed the system so you could book a few days ahead. Why is there such a stark decision to be made… same day urgent or can wait six weeks?
It’s crazy.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 13/03/2025 11:34

It’s totally unacceptable because the only people can book from 8-8.45 are those who do not work and those who don’t have to do anything such as commute / drop off during that narrow window.

JCBoutside · 13/03/2025 11:42

Manchesterbythesea · 13/03/2025 09:34

I’m in Ireland and ours is dire. You have to ring at 8.30am on the dot if you want an ‘emergency’ appointment. If the receptionist deems it important enough they’ll squeeze you in somewhere. If not you’re told to wait til 6pm and ring the out of hours. That’s a long time to wait if you’re unwell or your child is. I’m talking usual illnesses not A&E stuff.
If you ring at 9am you will be told you’re too late and there are no appointments. Sometimes on hold for 20 minutes and then hung up on. They close between 12 & 2.30. Who does that??
Let’s say it’s something you want to see the doc about but you’re not sick. Contraception or something. Could be 4 to 6 weeks waiting for an appointment. No online booking system either. No one can move gp’s because there’s no space anywhere and limited gp’s rurally anyway. It’s so stressful even phoning them. Always waiting for a telling off from them for daring to look for an appointment!

Is that in NI or ROI?
I’m in ROI and our local system is nothing like that luckily, although it used to be better admittedly.

Fizbosshoes · 13/03/2025 11:46

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 13/03/2025 11:34

It’s totally unacceptable because the only people can book from 8-8.45 are those who do not work and those who don’t have to do anything such as commute / drop off during that narrow window.

I find this annoying because although people say you could call on your commute, this sets up a number of issues

the connection on my train journey is woeful, despite it being 90% overground with very few tunnels
privacy - in the unlikely event you get through, usually you have to give a brief description of the problem (not ideal on a busy commuter train)
if you get through at eg 8.30am , and they say the only appointment is 9.05am, you might not get back in time for it!

WeaselsRising · 13/03/2025 12:31

We had a great surgery before we moved. Sadly the new one is call at 8am. I don't need an urgent appointment or even today, but they don't do advance bookings. How stupid is that.

angelspike · 13/03/2025 12:47

Mine is great. Enhanced access so if you suddenly realise at 4pm you’ve got horrendous tonsillitis, you ring at 6pm and they’ll get you an appointment between 6-8 with any local GP surgery (whoever is open that evening) and the same on weekend mornings

AlmostAJillSandwich · 13/03/2025 13:37

My GP is either go in in person, where they can make the routine long wait appointments, call at 8 for emrgencies or after 11am for none emergency, or book online via patchs. I'm mostly housebound with lots of social anxiety so in person or call is out, and the appointments by phone go in minutes anyway while you're on hold.

Patchs used to be available 8am every day. Then it became every monday wednesday friday. Now it can say not available til next wednesday, on a Monday, so a week and 2 days. Then, when you log in prior to 8am on that Wednesday ready to hit the button to go to the form, it's changed and is now showing friday, or next monday as next available date to make Patchs requests! I tried from Christmas til 3rd week of January logging in every monday, wednesday and friday, to see the next date had been pushed back every time, til i had to physically go in anyway to finally make an appointment, and March 6th was the earliest as it had to be a specific doctor as only one at the practice that did implants was left.

Edited to add i just looked out of curiosity, and it no longer shows the next date patchs will be available, just a message now that patchs is currently not available for health requests. At all!

BooseysMom · 13/03/2025 13:44

aliceinawonderland · 11/03/2025 10:27

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

That's interesting about what your online form says. I filled out the online form saying what days I would be available and was amazed when they called me back within about half an hour. But I now have to fill it in again on the day I want to be seen. I said can they just access the form I've filled in but they said no I have to start the whole thing again. We used to be able to book appointments in advance but that went out the window ages ago and everyone I speak to says it's rubbish.

Manchesterbythesea · 13/03/2025 13:59

JCBoutside · 13/03/2025 11:42

Is that in NI or ROI?
I’m in ROI and our local system is nothing like that luckily, although it used to be better admittedly.

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ROI

LoyalAquaOtter · 13/03/2025 15:31

Manchesterbythesea · 13/03/2025 09:34

I’m in Ireland and ours is dire. You have to ring at 8.30am on the dot if you want an ‘emergency’ appointment. If the receptionist deems it important enough they’ll squeeze you in somewhere. If not you’re told to wait til 6pm and ring the out of hours. That’s a long time to wait if you’re unwell or your child is. I’m talking usual illnesses not A&E stuff.
If you ring at 9am you will be told you’re too late and there are no appointments. Sometimes on hold for 20 minutes and then hung up on. They close between 12 & 2.30. Who does that??
Let’s say it’s something you want to see the doc about but you’re not sick. Contraception or something. Could be 4 to 6 weeks waiting for an appointment. No online booking system either. No one can move gp’s because there’s no space anywhere and limited gp’s rurally anyway. It’s so stressful even phoning them. Always waiting for a telling off from them for daring to look for an appointment!

That's interesting. I'm in Ireland too and I was complaining to dh the other day that we have to wait up to 4 days for a appointment now whereas it used to be next day. If it's an emergency or you are in pain they let you come in and wait for someone to not show up for their appointment which happens multiple times a day. Can easily get through to reception to book an appointment on the phone whenever during the day. Seems like we have it pretty good really.

Regretsmorethanafew · 13/03/2025 19:32

Manchesterbythesea · 13/03/2025 09:34

I’m in Ireland and ours is dire. You have to ring at 8.30am on the dot if you want an ‘emergency’ appointment. If the receptionist deems it important enough they’ll squeeze you in somewhere. If not you’re told to wait til 6pm and ring the out of hours. That’s a long time to wait if you’re unwell or your child is. I’m talking usual illnesses not A&E stuff.
If you ring at 9am you will be told you’re too late and there are no appointments. Sometimes on hold for 20 minutes and then hung up on. They close between 12 & 2.30. Who does that??
Let’s say it’s something you want to see the doc about but you’re not sick. Contraception or something. Could be 4 to 6 weeks waiting for an appointment. No online booking system either. No one can move gp’s because there’s no space anywhere and limited gp’s rurally anyway. It’s so stressful even phoning them. Always waiting for a telling off from them for daring to look for an appointment!

I'm.in Ireland and as I said earlier in the thread, I can ring and get a same say appt without saying what for, and can even choose which doc I want.

Peacepleaselouise · 14/03/2025 12:41

sheepisheep · 12/03/2025 12:59

I don't think you're familiar with the demand GP faces. Routine appointments fill up just as fast as on the day appointments. If problems do go away (and no, an earache in a child would not be listed as routine it would be on the day review) sometimes people may cancel but more often than not people just don't turn up and the appointment is wasted. On the day appointments generally get rid of that issue. It is absolutely nothing to do with giving receptionists an easier time who get given shit whichever way you work it.

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But if you had a really simple system for cancelling people wouldn’t no show. My son didn’t need a GP appointment because his specialist consultant saw him beforehand and it was resolved. I rang and waited and waited to try and cancel it. But I just couldn’t get through. I tried before work and in my lunch break three days in a row. In the end it was a “no show” but not for lack for trying!

JCBoutside · 14/03/2025 13:14

Peacepleaselouise · 14/03/2025 12:41

But if you had a really simple system for cancelling people wouldn’t no show. My son didn’t need a GP appointment because his specialist consultant saw him beforehand and it was resolved. I rang and waited and waited to try and cancel it. But I just couldn’t get through. I tried before work and in my lunch break three days in a row. In the end it was a “no show” but not for lack for trying!

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You definitely put in a lot of effort, but sadly lots of people don’t bother even if it is easy!

travelforthesoul · 02/04/2025 18:09

I can usually get an appointment with my GP, either in person or a telephone call - which often suits me. I have little issue with my GP practice but do understand it can be hit and miss in my area. SW Scotland. Ayrshire area

CaptainBeanThief · 02/04/2025 18:19

I really need to get my breasts checked at the GPs. I have HS (skin condition) I have multiple abcesses and cysts all over my breasts, I've had to had surgery on a few. I need a few of them checking and we have the triaging system. I can't book it for various reasons such as yours, I also struggle to get up most mornings due to the medication I'm on but on the days I do the triage is shut by 20 past 8!
I've even tried to explain to the doctors receptionist I need my breast checking, I just get the same generic response.
They do not offer advanced appointment bookings either it's all book on the day only through triage.

UltraHorse · 04/10/2025 20:49

It didn't use to be so hard to get an appointment all these phone appointments came in after co vid are there doctors who want to work from home Trouble is sometimes you can be very un well and really want an appointment The Doctors I go to is always empty these days are less people ill or what ?