Bloody NHS e consult forms are shit!

[inagrumptoday]

I’m trying to submit a consult to my doctor. The form is only open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Right in my commute and workday.

The form is repeatedly refreshing and quitting on mobile. The surgery will not take calls unless you’re elderly and have no access to a computer. If you’ve submitted a form before they will not speak to you over the phone. So I guess I just can’t talk to the doctors now? Is this how they hope to generate more appointments? Fucks sake 🤬

The closest my 80s mum could get for concerning dizziness was the ear tick box when she didn’t have an ear condition.Consequently she was given an appointment weeks away.

I’ll take a look. Not sure if PALS operates for surgeries too or just hospitals? But it is really silly and inaccessible for those who work.

there’s a tech issue. Try later. The form is open until late afternoon.

When I am at work and realistically if you’re submitting a form at 4pm you’re at the back of the queue.

It’s awful isn’t it? Pretty sure this is how they’re going to end up dealing with the backlog. Just don’t let any of us in

Not in all surgeries. Many just close as soon as they’ve had too many forms submitted.

I would phone and say I don't currently have access to a working computer or smartphone.

It works well with my surgery, IME. They will close the lists early on occasion, which is annoying if I want e.g. a nurse appointment for a smear test in a week's time, but that's a minor niggle really. When I have raised one, it's been reviewed the same day, and I've been offered a range of different appointments, so can usually find one which suits. I haven't needed something urgent that needs a same-day appointment, so I don't know how that side of it works. Our receptionists are fine, too.

Well hopefully this one won’t as the system is down. All you can do is keep trying. If truly urgent i’d walk round and speak to receptionist. If not an emergency i’d just keep trying.

finally got on, by downloading a new browser, resetting my NHS login and constantly flicking my phone to landscape mode.

only for none of the categories to really apply and to not be able to describe everything that’s going on. So I’ll probably get a text today saying I should sleep more. Good old NHS

I think you’ve missed that the issue is I’m at work. Ten miles from the surgery.

I tried to fill one in a couple of weeks ago and also found the categories rubbish. Nothing for dizziness.

Ended up having a video consultation with a private GP. Who was concerned enough to refer me to a neurologist.

Some of us work away from where we live and have limited access to personal phones during th working day. Do we just not get GP care?

You must have the same system as us. It’s deeply concerning.

Well then keep trying or call 111 if it’s something that can’t wait. I’m sure the form will be up and running soon.

Apparently not

as ive said I finally got to submit one, which didn’t really apply to my symptoms anyway, but it should not be this hard.

Not helpful at all but I find it a god send. My surgery are quick to respond to them. Most of the time I do not want or need an appointment. I have terrible eczema on the palm of my hands so I uploaded a photo and GP called to say script was done within a few hours.

I wonder if your surgery are having issues with their system or is it always like that from a mobile?

I've been trying to fill one in for my (very) elderly mother. We saw the GP 3 weeks ago and he wanted feedback on whether her new medication was working . Can't find a good way to do that as it's not a "category". Found a bit that might do, but then it has loads of questions that are irrelevant and even one page which says if you're on over 5 prescribed medicines list them here; she's on hundreds, plus they are the people who prescribed them so can see at a touch of a button!! GRR. Any advice how to feedback easily gratefully received.

What’s worse is you send the form off and then that’s it. No answer for days

Sorry yours is so shit op, it must feel really frustrating!

I don't under why they vary so much. My surgery uses Anima and it's transformed booking appointments. My mum had a throat issue and I raised an Anima at 8am this morning and am currently in the waiting room with her to see a doctor.

And all my experiences have been good, when over the phone was a nightmare

They should all be able to provide the same level of service as a bare minimum

It seems like luck of the draw whether it’s good or not. I don’t think it would be too hard to send a text saying it’s being reviewed

Sorry you’re struggling. But on balance, ours is great. Fill it out and you typically get seen the same day. Frees up the phones and I’ve been able to phone at 3pm and get a same day appointment too.

I think in a lot of cases it is easier, but they should still have the option to book over the phone for those that need it

Ours will close the system and chuck you out halfway through a form if they have reached their patient limit for the day. The kids forms take twice as long to complete so I rush through them like a woman possessed holding my breath.
I wish it wouldn't let you start a form unless they have capacity.

That's what my GP does, and they tell you when to expect a GP call. That should surely be standard practice.

That is useful though: type in all your notes in advance and save somewhere on your phone. Then take 5min between 8am-4pm (just before stepping into work? lunch break? toilet break?) and complete the form quickly.