Can’t get a GP appointment. Frustrating

[number90]

I know that the NHS is really struggling, but what are you supposed to do in this kind of situation?

I've been trying to book an appointment with my GP for almost 2 weeks now. I need to get some blood tests done because I might have an underactive thyroid or diabetes (the symptoms are similar). I've also got this lump on the side of my neck that's been there for 3 weeks, which makes me think it could be a thyroid problem (my mum and grandmother both had underactive thyroids too).

I've been calling every day (starting at 8:30) and usually end up on hold for 30-40 minutes, only to be told they're at full capacity and to try again tomorrow. I mentioned the lump to the receptionist, but she said it’s not urgent. Okay, but when does it actually become urgent?

I doubt that complaining will change anything (not that I want to anyway), and I'm not sure if other GPs are any better. I've even looked into private tests, but the thyroid test alone costs £90 😔

Formal Complaint to the practise manager, stress that their current booking system is making an appointment inaccessible for you - my old GP’s were
solely queuing up and phone bookings, both opening at 8am and it’s totally impractical if you’ve got a kid to get to school, work to get to and can’t wait on hold for 40 mins.

I had a phone call and an appointment the next day.

I’ve since moved to a practise that do online e-consult, much better.

Are you able to make an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner?
My daughter did an e-consult that resulted in seeing the Nurse Prac. It was the nurse who referred her to the hospital (like you, she has a lump on her neck). She’s had a hospital appointment and a CT scan all done within the last 4 weeks. She hasn’t seen a Dr at the GP surgery at all.

Same at my practise. I’ve had countless times where I’ve rang, sat in a queue and then told ‘no appointments. Call tomorrow at 8am’ when I’ve already sat and waited and am now late for work and I can’t be late again and again and again and again.

And if I DO get an appointment I frequently don’t get called back until some time after three, and I usually miss the call because I’m in work.

They’ve made it almost impossible for anyone with a job to see a dr.

It’s appalling.

Get the NHS app. All surgeries have to release appointments daily on there. Most are released at 8am

https://app.nhs.wales/login

Contact your GP practice manager if they're not part of this.

Have you been seen yet?

I'm confused about what you mean when you say the symptoms of an underactive thyroid and diabetes are the same. Do you mean you're tired all the time and think some blood tests might reveal why? If you're ringing and saying you're tired all the time, then I'm not altogether surprised you're being told it's not urgent. There are obviously lots of other reasons that might explain tiredness too.

You do need to get an appointment at some point and I agree GP services are pretty shoddy in a lot of places now. It's not for a receptionist to say that a lump in the neck is non-urgent. I suppose she's assuming it's viral, and it may well be, but she's not qualified to make that assessment. I would complain to the practice manager about that and ask for an urgent appointment. Equally, you could get a urine dip done at a pharmacy (or buy some dipsticks and do it yourself) and if it shows there's sugar in your urine, you'd be on more solid ground to insist on an appointment asap.

Have you done an eConsult? Just fill it in and the surgery come back with a phone appointment or in person appointment quite quickly for the following week.

Not sure where you are and whether you can just click through on this, but Betsi Cadwaladr offer a link to book a blood test online. Haven't clicked through so don't know what they require but thought maybe worth a go?

At my surgery you have to call at 8 on the dot and may still have to wait. I called once at 2 mins past and was caller 11 in the queue. I called the next day at 8 and was caller 3 so I stayed on the line. They will always offer a phone appointment first and they don't give you've time. I waited all day she called me at 7 that night. They will usually arrange to see you if they think they need to and or sounds like your problems need to be seen.

111

In these circumstances I think I’d be queuing at the door at opening time so you can get on the list in person , then I’d look for an alternative practice that has online e consult .

My GP surgery used to have that. I used it a few times and really liked it. They’ve stopped it now for some reason. Great!

You sound quite entitled. All practices now operate total triage. You don't make a nuisance of yourself on the phone. You fill in an online consultation and they will ensure you get the appropriate care. It's that simple.

All practices are contractually obliged to offer online consultation from 0830 to 1830 each weekday. There's been quite a lot of publicity!!

I work in this field. You should be able to get a GP appointment. Download the NHS app and use the message system on that. NHS 111 can help as well, call them and they can get you an appointment at a hub or book an appointment at your usual GP practice. Alternatively you can go to your nearest urgent treatment centre and wait to be seen. Not ideal I know. If you are having real constant trouble at your practice then change practices. And as others have said you can make a complaint to the practices, CQC or your local ICB or health board.

I would go there when they open. If lines open at 8.30 then likely surgery opens earlier. I would be there at 8am to book. You definitely need to see a GP and, as others have said, it’s not up to the receptionist to triage you. Regardless of the blood tests, you need the lump checked. I’d then move GP to one that has a better system for booking appointments!

I had this problem then I tried ringing just before on the actual dot of 8.30, like 8.29 and 59 seconds ! There were still three people ahead of me somehow

You need to insist on being seen, I had a lump on my neck and it was thyroid cancer. I don't want to scare you, but you need to push for the 6 week cancer pathway.

I really don't understand why postcode lottery is allowed such influence in many important areas of life where the offerings and procedures should be the same, in a country wide agreed, best practice.

Tell that to my GP for the past three plus years.

Surgeries seem to vary enormously. I always went in person early in the morning to book an appointment. Could you not do that? Or do you have a walk-in centre you could get to? They are normally very good

If you where 11 in the queue you should have waited. I was 20 in the queue yesterday, I was on hold for 4 minutes and was given an appointment within the hour. I had called and back home after the appointment with 90 minutes. 11 in the queue is nothing

I'm interested as to how wanting a doctors appointment is being "entitled"? Also, she's already said multiple times that the surgery doesn't offer an online service...

I phoned for a smear test. Earliest appointment is in June!!! And the only appointments are at 7.30am. it's ridiculous. Looked at going private and it's £350 which I can't afford.