GP surgeries are broken

[grumpyandfedup]

Put in an e consult to my GPs surgery this morning for suspected anaemia or hypothyroidism. Okay not life threatening but unpleasant to live with and impacting my mental health and day to day life.

I get a text three hours later to say this isn’t urgent and I’m on a list to be called NEXT YEAR! The date isn’t certain and can be subject to change, but I should expect a call in the week commencing 5th January.

In the meantime my life will get worse, I’ll feel worse and I can’t get any help. Yet an immigrant arriving on a boat has onsite GPs there ready and waiting at all hours of the day.

And who suspects anaemia or hypothyroidism?

You?

I have quite severe hypothyroidism and probably had it at least 2 years before diagnosis due to lockdowns and a couple of other things.

It's fine, you can wait a few weeks.

If you feel that awful - phone and get a same day appointment.

It’s 11 working days.

There are GPs available on call to you 24/7 if it’s urgent - done through GP practise or 111.

there is a box to describe what / how you are feeling and what your problem is. Someone will read that and decide which symptoms combined together make this an urgent issue.

They don’t answer their bloody phones! I spent 15 minutes on hold earlier.

Dr. Google

You nearly had me until your last sentence.

Yabu.
Firstly, it's down to individual gp practices. Some are brilliant, some are shite.
Secondly immigration has nothing to do with it. There's no gp sat waiting refusing to speak to you unless you 'came over on the boats'.
I went online to book an appointment to get my dds ear checked, thinking I'd have to wait a week or so, and got a call half hour later booking her in the same morning, and that's with a practice I only ever hear complaints about, so it's definitely not my experience.

Call 111

Why are you moaning about 15 minutes?

You probably spend longer on Mumsnet 🤷‍♂️

I can't quite work out if you're anti immigrants, anti GPs, or if you just feel you should be able to click your fingers and have urgent medical help on tap.

Are you going to drip that you have health anxiety?

Me and a nurse at work who was the one who suggested I contact my doctor. I’m at the point where I genuinely don’t see the point in carrying on. I can only go to work, I get home and I’m so exhausted I get in bed. I spend the weekends sleeping and trying to get some energy back. I’m 26 and cannot do anything. The doctor just doesn’t care.

I’m going to try again at my lunch or if not, 111

They've given you an appointment, which proves they clearly are interested in helping, you're just being a bit silly because it isn't the immediate response you'd like. Who would you suggest they put behind you in the queue? A small child who has had a high fever for a week? Someone having a cancer scare? Try and think about it logically OP. You're not dying, you believe it might be anaemia or hyperthyroidism, neither of which is an emergency, and you've got an appointment in 3 weeks, plus a handy 999 function if you ever are in need of emergency support.

No I’m just fed up. I’ve felt like shit for years, I can’t do anything about it. In the past when I’ve tried to see a GP they just deny me appointments

I agree there are lots of issues with the NHS but to be honest I don’t think this is that bad at all considering the time of year.

You're right OP. It's shit and an absolutely shocking service. I can't believe there are people who defend this shoddy level of 'care'.

Write to your practice manager. Explain the effect this is having on your life and explain you really need to see someone sooner and they should arrange this for you. I've had a lot of success over the years with polite but firm letters to the practice manager!

Hope you feel better soon.

You have completely ignored the posters who criticised your ridiculous and irrelevant reference to immigrants. Why?

The nurse at work who has no business saying that, considering you've not had any bloods taken?

That nurse?

You know there isn’t a separate immigrant service right? Surely??

You're waiting 3 weeks for a non urgent appointment - it sucks but it’s not the end of the world.

They've booked her an appointment in 3 weeks time! How is that possibly worth a complain?

So you've 'felt like shit for years' and thought that December would be a great time to try and make an appointment?

Listen, appointments can be difficult to get in some surgeries, but come on, you could've got one in the last few years...

At some points I feel like I’d be better off dead. I know everyone on here will say I’m hysterical but that’s how I feel. It’s 11am, I’ve been at work for 2 hours and could go to bed right now and sleep until tomorrow. I’m barely able to function. What’s the point in living like this? Genuinely?

I felt sympathy for you until the immigrant comment.

Nevertheless service levels vary wildly, I called my GP about something very non urgent yesterday and got a telephone appointment for Monday.

So ring and get a same day appointment. Tell them this.

I’ve sat and had a chat with her, told her how I’m feeling and she’s recommended I go to the GP and get some bloods.

Only they’re not interested and they want to give me a telephone call instead.