Moan about getting a doctors appointment - is your surgery the same?

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And what can I do about it? Called today and got through after about 20 attempts since it was constantly engaged. On asking for an appointment I was told the next available would be Thursday but no, I couldn't book it now, I'd have to call at 8.30am tomorrow when they start allocating those appointments. Now, I know from recent experience that at 8.30am it will take me at least 15 minutes to get through because it will be constantly engaged. Again. Now, is all of this because of govt targets of 'you must get an appt within a day' or some such crap? I'm not saying the targets are crap, just that this method of allocating appts (i.e. in order to meet targets, not patient need) is absolute pants. IMO. So is your surgery the same? And what do you think I should do? Or have I got too much time on my hands if I'm getting pissed off about stuff like this? TIA.

Ours changed to a new system a few months ago and it's great. Emergency appointments are always available for children. I once phoned at 3.30pm and was given an appointment for ds1 for 4pm. If you phone up for an adult you can usually get an appointment the same day. The receptionists are lovely. When I was advised by the GP to take ds1 to the hospital for nebulisers a receptionist phoned for a taxi for us as I don't drive. They also never ever ask you why you want to see the doctor.

also - ask if you can speak to a doctor over the phone as this can help to clear up any anxieties you may have especially if it's for kids. our doc phoned me back a couple of weeks ago within minutes and said straight away she wanted to see dd1, so she sorted out the appointment for me.

In every gp surgery I have had the pleasure to use, I have always had to wait at least a week, sometimes longer for a non emergency appointment.

Now we live where we do, I can't believe how easy it is to be seen. Non routine are usually within 1 or 2 days, and often the same day if they have free spaces. They also have a system, that if enough people call for an appointment and they have run out, they set up another clinic for that day, as well as a separate emergency clinic. Kids are always given priority. I feel v lucky, but also feel I have done more than my fair share of crap surgeries.

Bundle, I get on really well with a couple of the receptionists, and agree that not ALL receptionists are dragons, but I usually see the doctor about the same things and know that the triage nurse would not be able to help, I have been told this by the doctor and the receptionists have been told this also, all to no avail. Also the waiting room is also quite small and when you ring up ALL he waiting room can here, they confirm your name and then say your address and repeat the medical problem back to you, so if anyone there knows you they know what the problem is

Our surgery now only does appointments on the day you phone (think you can book vaccinations, smears, etc.).

Seems to work well for them - fewer missed appointments - and for us - no more stress pleading with the receptionist for an appointment when feeling lousy.

Our GP surgery runs call on the day type clinics, but m/w appts, tests etc are booked in advance as you would expect. System seems to work quite nicely, provided you call early enough.

Ours is like your Gem13. Its been running for about a year and is much, much better. You ring in the morning of the day that you need the appointment. If there are no spaces left and you really need to see a doctor you can always be squeezed in but it may not be with the doctor of choice i.e a gp registrar in training who you may not know very well. It's called Advance Access and was introduced as an attempt to cut waiting times to see a GP. I think that it is trying to be introduced nationwide......

www - we don't have quite the same system but it's always several days before you can get an appointment. What really bugs me though is they always say "is it urgent?" I mean what sort of question is that? Do they mean is blood gushing out all over the floor? Am I having a heart attack? Am I choking? Well, NO, coz I'd be on the phone to 999 not the bloody GP. Or do they mean am I pushy and inclined to give myself priority over old Mrs Baggins who's been wanting to see someone for weeks but doesn't want to trouble anyone, or someone with a 2-month old with a temp of 102? It really really annoys me that they put it on me to classify myself as urgent or not. rant rant

No problems getting appts with our GPs, may not be the one you want, but they're all good. They have emergency surgery every day and you phone to book that each morning, quite easy to get routine appt and they have now introduced booking appts on the internet. Haven't tried it yet though.

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Ours is terrible, too many people have moved into the area with vast under resourcing. We've even made it into the Daily Mail. No bookable appointments you have to phone on the day from 8am but I've never got through until 9 and then the appointment is at 11 or 12 that day. Have been told the best thing is to come down and queue from 7.30 onwards. I did this once and at 7.30 there were 40 people in the queue (I counted them I was bored) including people with babies and elderly people waiting in the cold. When I got an appointment it was at 11.15am so I had to sit and wait that long.

Antenatal appointments are bad too have to wait about an hour after my appointment time to get seen. Once there were 4 people with a 1.30pm appt and one midwife. Was told too many women having babies in this area bromine in the drinking water perhaps??

We have a walk in morning surgery, give your name, queue with your number, see the Dr. Afternoons are by appointment only for those who can't get time off work or for small op's, a call line for repeat perscriptions for the next day, same day call outs too. We are terribly lucky.