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Original poster

How difficult is it to see your GP?

66 replies

Hoolahoophop · 14/03/2022 09:57

I have a breast lump. I have called up tons of times to try to get an appointment over the last few weeks but lines open at 8am and by 8.30 there are no appointments left, I work full time and cant keep calling all day. Today I was off looking after my sick child. I was on the phone calling from 7.45 until 9.30 and each time the que was full. When I finally got through there were not appointments. Call back tomorrow. All automated message. Am I missing a trick, why can I never get an appointment? I've not managed to speak to an actual person.

I'll be calling back again later to see if I can actually speak to a receptionist at a non busy time.

Is this the way it is everywhere?

OP posts:

MrsLargeEmbodied · 14/03/2022 10:06

can you ring later?
explain the probem?
go there in person?
email?

an automated answer sounds appalling

CornishGem1975 · 14/03/2022 10:07

No, it's very easy at mine. I could call now and be seen today if it was urgent.

I'd be changing surgery if I were you.

Original poster

Hoolahoophop · 14/03/2022 10:12

So far I haven't managed to get to a human to explain the problem, but will keep trying as today I'm wfh and looking after DC so can keep calling. Apparently they have a locked door at the moment so you can only go in if you have an appointment, the receptionist checks, unlocks the door to let you in then locks it again. No appointment no access. Also a message on their website saying do not email. Their automated booking system has been suspended since the beginning of the pandemic.

I thought it would be easy, I'm HR at work and many colleagues are at the same local GP. I'm always being given sick notes from the GP for same day appointments. Either today is a particularly bad day or they all know a trick I don't!

OP posts:

Silkierabbit · 14/03/2022 10:20

Ours is very hard to get through too. I tend to e-mail but you often get dismissed including my breast lump, which was cancer, or get phoned in a few days time.

Definitely keep trying - Mondays can be bad as its all the people saving issues from the weekend. 9 out of 10 lumps are benign so hopefully yours will be too.

Original poster

Hoolahoophop · 14/03/2022 10:52

Well I managed to speak to a receptionist. They cant make any advance routine appointments and they have nothing left. They advised I call back Friday as they have an extra doctor on then and work late so I might get lucky.

Thanks @Silkierabbit I think it will be fine, I had a couple in my early 20s that turned out to be benign and went away by themselves, but now this one has popped up new and I'm 40 so slightly more worrying that the earlier ones.

OP posts:

cherryonthecakes · 14/03/2022 11:07

We can book our appointments online. People without internet have to do the phoning at 8 thing. Last time it took me 101 goes to get through, had to tell the receptionist why I needed a same day appointment. Apart from masks, the actual appointment was the same. Seats in reception were in rows rather than against the walls and our surgery now send prescriptions to the pharmacy rather than print them out.

FoxyFoxyLoxy · 14/03/2022 11:09

@Hoolahoophop

Thanks @Silkierabbit I think it will be fine, I had a couple in my early 20s that turned out to be benign and went away by themselves, but now this one has popped up new and I'm 40 so slightly more worrying that the earlier ones.

I don't think waiting to Friday to maybe get an appointment if you're lucky is good enough.

In your position I would be phoning back, being very assertive and telling them that you need to see someone as a matter of urgency. It's probably nothing. But it needs checking out right away. DO NOT BE FOBBED OFF.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 14/03/2022 11:10

This sounds absolutely awful- just like my old GP. If you can’t go in person I would definitely be calling 101 or emailing the practice manager.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 14/03/2022 11:12

I would add that a Friday appointment is simply not good enough. Please don’t be afraid to state your case but politely of course!

coloradoqueen · 14/03/2022 11:14

We can send messages through an app plus they have a good system on the phone where you can save your space in the queue and get a call back.

Yours sounds shocking! I think despite their "locked door" policy in your shoes I'd have marched down there and asked at the door for them to sort me out an appointment, it's just not good enough.

DillDanding · 14/03/2022 11:14

Even if they don’t have a online booking facility, they must have an email address. I’d be emailing immediately.

My GP practice is incredibly easy to get through to. I’ve not needed an in person appt since pre covid, but they are very good at prompt telephone consultations.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 14/03/2022 11:15

i think you will have to be late for work and try tomorrow or wednesdy,
monday is notoriously bad ime

MaryAndHerNet · 14/03/2022 11:16

I needed the GP a couple weeks back.
I downloaded an auto redialer onto my phone and left it going. 26 minutes and 83 redials just to get to the queue where I was 19th. A further 32 minutes on hold. Then I got through to the reception who would only give me a phone call with a nurse practitioner and that would be at some point before noon.

Cocolapew · 14/03/2022 11:18

I tried 350 times this morning to get through on the phone. I gave up at 9.15 because I knew there would be no appointments left, it was only for a call back, I have no idea if they are doing face to face appointments you can book in advance.
I'll try tomorrow and if theres no appointments I'll say its an emergency and that usually gets a call back.
I hope you are seen soon op and everything is ok

Divebar2021 · 14/03/2022 11:18

You can’t phone mine you have to fill out an online form. I’ve taken DD for an appointment which I had to wait 2 weeks for. When I arrived there were 2 people in the waiting room and 3 receptionists. I tried to book my smear while I was there but was told I had to do it online. In your case I would be complaining to the practice manager - it’s completely unacceptable.

user1497207191 · 14/03/2022 11:21

@DillDanding

Even if they don’t have a online booking facility, they must have an email address. I’d be emailing immediately.

My GP practice is incredibly easy to get through to. I’ve not needed an in person appt since pre covid, but they are very good at prompt telephone consultations.

No, they don't. Our surgery don't have a published email address nor any online message system. All the "contact us" details are their phone number. Of course, they WILL have an email address, but they just don't make it available to anyone.

MedusasBadHairDay · 14/03/2022 11:22

It was like this at my old gp, then we moved house and the new gp is absolutely wonderful. As far as I can tell they're not a smaller surgery, or covering a smaller area, but they seem very good at triage at reception (which I know not everyone likes). Which seems to free up more face to face appointments. There've been a couple of times I haven't been able to get an appointment, but usually that's because it's a Monday and so busier than usual.

DillDanding · 14/03/2022 11:23

That’s a bit rubbish then. Could you email PALS?

MrsLargeEmbodied · 14/03/2022 11:24

do they have a nurse practitioner who could advise?

FoxyFoxyLoxy · 14/03/2022 11:24

Yes user ours is the same. No online consults, no email address, no way of contacting other than phone.

They do have an email address - we were asked during the first lockdown to email in a picture of an insect bite on DS which I felt was infected (it was). But the email wasn't like DrSmith @ anytown.surgery.nhs. it was something like [email protected].

endofthelinefinally · 14/03/2022 11:26

Write a letter to your gp. Put it through the surgery door. That is the 9nly thing I can think of, if you cant do an online or email consult.
My friend ( in her 80s) does this as she is deaf and not computer literate. They write back to her or email her husband.
I feel sorry for elderly people who just can't navigate all this. It is hard enough for those of us that can at least use technology.
My gp surgery is really good, but I realise I am very lucky.

AmberGer · 14/03/2022 11:26

Our previous one was like that. We moved and can't fault our new one, they even offer face to face appointments and have done for around a year or so.

vipersnest1 · 14/03/2022 11:27

Call them back and insist you need to be seen - A BREAST LUMP IS NOT A ROUTINE MATTER. Sorry to shout!
I hope it turns out to be something innocent for you.

raspberrymuffin · 14/03/2022 11:28

If you can get hold of an email address, email the practice manager saying you have a breast lump and have been trying to get an appointment for x weeks. If not, write a letter. No one likes a paper trail of having fucked up so the existence of one will hopefully bump you past the receptionist (who doesn't seem to be allowed to prioritise) to someone whose job it is to actually make sure you get seen.

(It's not like that at mine but we have a smaller rural surgery so more doctors per patient than a lot of places.)

MrsLargeEmbodied · 14/03/2022 11:32

yes, an old fashioned letter is a great idea

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