What’s booking a GP appointment like these days?

[ipreferbooks]

Haven’t attempted to book an appointment since 2017. Last time I went they fobbed my anxiety off probably because I was a teenager at the time. Anyway I didn’t bother phoning again (because I thought what’s the point, they didn’t listen). My grandparent passed away last week and I feel nothing re. grief. But my anxiety symptoms have definitely worsened to the point of gagging nearly all the time.

• Do you still have to book at 8am and join the mad rush/lottery to get an appointment?

-Are double appointments still a thing?

• Can you cover multiple issues during an appointment?

Worried that whatever I say to to the GP will be fobbed off as grief. Or that I will even be able to get an appointment at all, let alone them listen to me.

Depends where you live probably.
My gp uses an online service where you submit your issue from 7am and then you will get contacted by email/phone with whatever the next step would be whether that's a face to face appointment or telephone/video call.

Impossible
Our surgery won’t even answer the phone. It rings & rings then cuts out.

Roost GP surgeries are offering a triage phone to determine if you need a face to face or further telephone appointment. So in effect I can at any time of day and get a call that day or the following.
I much prefer a call rather than taking more time of work to travel to and wait for my appointment.
I have long term health problems and get face to face if required. Absolutely no issues with my GP

Honestly it depends on your individual GP practice, going by the frequent threads on here and the many hundreds of posts arguing the toss.

Some posters say they find it easy; many others say it is impossible.

I would look on your GP practice's website for its current guidance. Me telling you how mine operates is of no practical use to you, unless by some bizarre co-incidence you also happen to be registered with the Upper Royston Vasey Piss Poor Health Centre of Doom.

What SpindleWorld said.

Every practice is different.
Plus, what might be true today, might all be different tomorrow (say, when a GP goes off sick).

Mine you've probably got more chance of diagnosing and treating yourself via Google then getting an appointment

Don’t be put off trying to get a GP appointment, OP.
Check their website to see what their system is - e-consults etc.
Mine is working well: ring at 8am or 2pm for an urgent same day call back. Probably 15+ mins on hold to get through. Or I can book a non-urgent appointment online for 3 weeks ish time.

GPs never like to deal with more than one issue at a time as they are so time pressured, but you can always ask. I find it can be easier to talk openly on the phone.

@SparklingLime

GPs never like to deal with more than one issue at a time as they are so time pressured, but you can always ask. I find it can be easier to talk openly on the phone.

I always say I can deal with one thing well in 10 minutes or 10 things badly. Always like to see or hear the list first and can guage what I can and can't deal with. Sometimes can arrange some investigations based on a synopsis of the problem then arrange to see again

I phone any time of the day, I tell the receptionist what’s wrong and they put me in touch with the nurse, GP or pharmacist. If it’s the GP I’m offered a face to face appointment, a telephone call or a video consultation.
If I need an urgent, same day appointment then I phone at 8am - usually doesn’t take long to get through to them.
They do ask you to make multiple appointments if you have a number of questions for the GP which is perfectly reasonable.
Our GP practice is amazingly well run.

My GP told me that she feels rushed if patients present multiple problems to her.

I've had no problems getting appointments since the start of the pandemic.

OP, definitely ask for an appointment. Anxiety is very treatable but only gets worse if you don't deal with it. Your GP should be sympathetic.' If not, speak to another one.

My GP appointments for me now can only be booked online. I complete a form on their website then they ring me back to arrange an appointment.

My GP and nurses appointment for my DD are booked by the phone.

Go online now and see if they have an electronic option. Ours is a form to fill in (but you have to get the questions right or it sends it to cyberspace never to be seen again). You can also only fill said form in between 9 and 12.

If no form, call first thing. If it's like mine, there will be a queue but all you need is patients (unlike the GP )

These things are a bit frustrating, but either gets me an appointment.

There is every chance you will get an understanding, professional, caring and experienced GP. Who will see that you need help and they will do all they can for you.

Good luck and hope you get there.

Mine takes ages to get though and once u do ur in a holding system where u wait anything from 15mins to an hour. Once u get through they are pretty gd overall. They'll give u a same day appointment (telephone appointment) if they have none left they put u in a triage list and someone will call u to discuss. If if is for a child though they'll always fit them in.