How difficult is it to see your GP?

[Hoolahoophop]

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?

Lump.. not a limo 🤦‍♀️

My GP is excellent. I rang a couple of weeks ago with an ear infection, was offered a same day appt but I couldn't get there due to work so was offered first thing the next day
Last week I got a letter about breast screening, rang them and receptionist sorted appt for that within 2 weeks
I work in a larger surgery in the next town and our GPs are accessible too. Patients do have to ring from 8 for urgent issues which are then triaged and they are called back by one of the team and advised or booked to come in. Routine appointments take longer to get than at my surgery but are available

Our practice has had doors open and all face to face appointments for weeks now , except they currently have lots of staff off sick themselves!

My GP is fabulous, can always get an appointment if needed urgently the same day if not within a week.

My GP has been absolutely fine. I haven't had a problem getting a consultation or face to face appointment if necessary throughout the last two years. I know if I stated I had a breast lump I would be seen the same day.

I thought it was a slippery slope but I have to say I now prefer the E-Consult system to phoning the receptionist and failing to get an appointment.
If I send fill out an E-Consult in the evening, I usually get a return phone call or email the next morning with a way forward. The practice nurse also told me if you want to discuss blood test results with a GP, it is best to do an E-Consult to ask for them as a GP will quickly phone you to discuss rather than just getting that's all normal from the results line.
So yes it's hard to see someone in person (unless they deem it essential) but not hard to get them to triage your situation and avoid 'unnecessary' contact with patients.

Near impossible to get an appointment at my GP practice.

No online booking facility. You're not allowed to just turn up at the surgery.

You have to phone at 08.00, repeat dial for an hour in order to 'get through' only to then join the phone queue listening to muzak - this is the time when everyone is on the train to work or trying to get children off to school.

It's rubbish. I would change GP, but all have a similar system round here.

I can usually make a routine telephone appointment about a week in advance with the GP of my choice using the online system. I recently found a lump just under my breast, in the bra-line. I filled in an e-consult, was called back that day and had a face to face appointment the following day resulting in a referral. All the staff at my surgery, including the receptionists are kind and helpful - I really can’t fault them.

@PatterPaws

Near impossible to get an appointment at my GP practice.

No online booking facility. You're not allowed to just turn up at the surgery.

You have to phone at 08.00, repeat dial for an hour in order to 'get through' only to then join the phone queue listening to muzak - this is the time when everyone is on the train to work or trying to get children off to school.

It's rubbish. I would change GP, but all have a similar system round here.

Ours is the same system.

If I send fill out an E-Consult in the evening

Well you can’t send that E-consult out of hours at my GP it has to be sent when they’re open. It’s also pretty shit if you don’t have access to IT or the internet since you can’t call or make an appointment in person .

I sent an E-consult this morning and have been given a telephone consultation in 11 days. No time given just the fact it will be the morning. If I’m not available I have to send another form in and they then choose another day. And if I can’t do that day I have to send another form in and they keep choosing another day until I decide I will just not bother.

I don’t think you can practice medicine from your armchair but they seem to be giving it a pretty good go.

@Divebar2021, my surgery is worse!
You can't fill in a form after 2pm 'due to demand'....

@vipersnest1

Eeugh you have my sympathy. Sucks.

@Divebar2021

If I send fill out an E-Consult in the evening

Well you can’t send that E-consult out of hours at my GP it has to be sent when they’re open. It’s also pretty shit if you don’t have access to IT or the internet since you can’t call or make an appointment in person .

I sent an E-consult this morning and have been given a telephone consultation in 11 days. No time given just the fact it will be the morning. If I’m not available I have to send another form in and they then choose another day. And if I can’t do that day I have to send another form in and they keep choosing another day until I decide I will just not bother.

I don’t think you can practice medicine from your armchair but they seem to be giving it a pretty good go.

Wow that sounds like the worst of all worlds.

It is such a joke!

Call 111. I think all GP practices have to keep some appointments each day that can be booked by 111.

Phone appointments initially which are usually ar least a week away. If after phone appointment the doctor decides they need to see you it's another 2 weeks (maybe sooner if they decide it's urgent I guess). You can phone in the morning for a same day appointment but not tried that so no idea how easy it is but suspect a long wait on the phone as it is whatever time you phone - can be "no 1 in queue" for 10 mins and have to listen to endless Covid messages & muzak while you wait.

While I get some issues can be dealt with over the phone, most can't and it effectively takes up 2 appointments so counter productive. I don't get it. As someone with health anxiety I find the whole process stressful & frustrating.