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 😔

the next time they tell you that you have to call at 8.30 the next day, I would ask to speak to the practice manager and ask them why they are breaching the NHS contract as they are not allowed to ask you to call back at 8.30am.
also from 1st April, there were further changes to the contracts which mean if you submit a triage request it has to be acknowledged the same day. They should all be offering the online form for new requests and are not allowed to switch it off during core hours. If you find that your surgery are not following the contract rules then I would take evidence of this and report to the ICB they fall under

The only appointments we can book on the app for our surgery are for smears!

Filled in the e-consult because my blood pressure was going up (180/85 - I have a kidney condition which causes this) three weeks later still heard nothing. Called into the surgery to be told they are very busy (not a soul to be seen in the waiting room) and will call me when I get to the top of the list!

It was a crap surgery before the app and is worse now. Nowhere to move to because all the local surgeries are run by the same group. Nearest walk-in 30 miles away.

My husband was number 4 in the queue yesterday. Gave up after 55 minutes.

@number90 have you tried keying in the number and hotting dial at 8.34 and 45 seconds? I do it consecutively across three phones: 8.34:45; 50 and 55. One usually hit lucky but there was no rhyme or reason. Disconnect the two with no answer as soon as one does. Alternatively, pop what you have written here, politely framed, addressed to the practice manager, copied to the senior partner and send by recorded, signed for delivery.

Fortunately I changed practices and the new one has an effective on-line triage form.

Entitled? Making a nuisance of myself on the phone? What on earth are you talking about? They do not use an online system. You have to phone every day until you’re put on the list. However, by the time you get through the list is at full capacity so you just have to call again the next day. This is all before you even get an appointment. I’ve been trying for 2 weeks just to get on the list. Is that “simple” enough for you? So bloody rude

Anything over #8 in the queue at our surgery and there’s almost no chance you’re going to get an appointment. It’s that dire.

They do not use the econsult system unfortunately. You have to phone them.

This isn’t true! They don’t all operate total triage! There’s a big difference between total triage and just triage alone!

I was in same position 20th Feb. Infected thumb. Cut gone bad. Got appointment after 8 days. That ended with me in hospital plastic unit with them doing their best to save my thumb.
I am still attending outpatient. I cut my thumb on a tin can January 24th

No, of course it’s not just fatigue.

The symptoms (which have been ongoing for a while and only seem to be getting worse) are:

Excessive hair loss (always had long, thick hair up until a year ago) and now I’m shedding like a dog and my scalp is very prominent

Weight gain and struggling to lose weight, even though I eat well and exercise regularly

Regular constipation

Pain in my hands

Constantly feel cold, even on warmer days

Dry skin, particularly on my feet (have been to a chiropodist a couple of times who said it was very common for people with diabetes)

Going to the toilet a lot during the night (sign of diabetes)

Excessive facial hair growth (particularly chin area)

Lump on the side of my neck which has been there for 2-3 weeks

Both my mother and grandmother have under-active thyroids, and I think a lot of my symptoms point to this, but I would like to rule out diabetes too.

I explained all of this to the receptionist, not just that I’m “tired”.

If you go to the Thyroid UK website, then look at the testing section, and private testing companies, you will find plenty of companies cheaper than £90. Monitor My Health, which is processed by an NHS lab, is £32 for a basic TSH, T3 and T4 test, and you can get 10% off this by using discount code THYROIDUK10. Or £42 (less 10%) for the same test to include TPO antibodies as well.

Medichecks is the one I've used the most, they regularly have offers so I've tended to purchase then.

Anyway, not ideal, but sometimes needs must. And your chances of getting a T3 test on the NHS are slim to none. Won't go into the ins and outs of it as it will just turn into a rant, but T3 is probably the most crucial test out of all of them. However, these days it seems GPs are obsessed with TSH only, but this doesn't give you a clear picture.

Thyroid UK is a fantastic resource, I learnt so much on there when I was going though all of this in 2019.

My symptoms are:

Fatigue

Excessive hair loss (always had long, thick hair up until a year ago) and now I’m shedding like a dog and my scalp is very prominent

Weight gain and struggling to lose weight, even though I eat well and exercise regularly

Regular constipation

Pain in my hands

Constantly feel cold, even on warmer days

Dry skin, particularly on my feet (have been to a chiropodist a couple of times who said it was very common for people with diabetes)

Going to the toilet a lot during the night (sign of diabetes)

Excessive facial hair growth (particularly chin area)

Lump on the side of my neck which has been there for 2-3 weeks

mentioned the lump to the receptionist, but she said it’s not urgent. - that is a clinical decision and not hers to make. This needs a formal complaint to the practice.

I second the idea of ringing 111.

Well it’s clearly not all practices then because mine doesn’t offer this. You have to phone them.

Thank you so much, this is really helpful. I will have a look!

I've done private blood tests for my thyroid a few times over the years for various reasons. Unfortunately I'm a wuss, so can't go with the cheaper tests offered that do it from your finger, I need a proper blood draw which adds costs. I used Blue Horizon fairly recently and their tasso autodraw which was great. They offer a 15% discount code if you sign up.

At the very top of the Thyroid UK website is a link to their online community, which is on the Health Unlocked website. I'd advise you to have a look on there, there are some very knowledgeable people and they probably saved my sanity when I was starting my thyroid journey and standard treatment (levothydoxine) wasn't working for me.

You'd think that something like thyroid disease, whether over or underactive would be well understood and treated by GPs, but it really isn't.

Anyway, first steps is obviously getting a blood test done and your lump checked out, but whilst you're having problems getting an appointment I'd definitely consider the private testing. And a little tip - thyroid blood tests should be done before 9am if possible, and also without eating or drinking (other than water obviously). Again, the GP is unlikely to tell you this.

I would email the practice manager listing your symptoms and ask is the receptionist correct in saying this is non urgent and how long are their wait times for gp appt.
Also consider getting a cheap blood glucose monitor and check your blood glucose levels (amazon 12 pounds)
Good luck.

How do you get a appointment if you have a on going condition that needs regular checkups?

GP’s practices are not the NHS. They are small businesses who charge the NHS for seeing their patients. You can sign up to a different GP and they might run their practice in a completely different way.

Because GPs practices are so rubbish ATM a lot of NHS departments accept self referrals and they do their own triage. Testing thyroid involves a blood test. Contact your local hospital phlebotomist department and explain your dilemma.

An infected cut or wound might be best dealt with by urgent care or A&E anyhow. Did the practice not direct you elsewhere?