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Original poster

It really is impossible to get a GP appt isn't it?

19 replies

Fordian · 12/08/2022 13:19

I have been dreading this moment, ALWAYS on a Friday afternoon when you have an issue that could really use being seen (new flare up of cellulitis) but I've been on hold at my GP for 1.5 hours now.

Might 111 be able to help? I only need antibiotics!

OP posts:
Tanfastic · 12/08/2022 13:33

Walk in centre it is then.

BeechFairy · 12/08/2022 14:52

E-consult? Marked urgent?
My surgery ring you back on those which avoids the 50 minute wait on hold.

Original poster
Fordian · 12/08/2022 14:56

We don't have walk-in centres. We have appointment only minor injuries, Mo-Fri 9-4.

OP posts:
SantanaBinLorry · 12/08/2022 14:57

Yup. Nightmare here. Our E-consult hasn't been working for months now.
Have to call on the day at 8am (perfect time for school/work!) for an appointment or call back.
If you miss the call back its back to the beginning at 8am the next morning.
No walk in centre in out town. No wonder people are taking themselves to A&E!
It's bullshit OP hope you get sorted 💐

Original poster
Fordian · 12/08/2022 14:58

I'll try e-consult. I'm a bit wary as last time we used them, again on a Friday afternoon (isn't it always?...) they got back to us the following week -by which time we'd resorted to Emergency.

OP posts:
Teoteo · 12/08/2022 15:06

Have you tried NHS GP at Hand? I always get an appointment with them. Not always on the same day but always within 2-3 days, and depending on your concern you can choose to see an advanced nurse practitioner or a prescribing pharmacist instead and they are always available the same day.

FlorianImogen · 12/08/2022 15:14

What's E consult?

TooHot2022 · 12/08/2022 15:46

I find it very frustrating that different surgeries have different online/video/app providers for e-consult/video consultations etc.

Between us, we have four different apps/ providers as we (Me, DH, DS1, DS2) are all registered at different GP practices.

My surgery was using Livi and I found that great, then suddenly it just disappeared as an option without any explanation from the surgery!

BeechFairy · 12/08/2022 16:09

TooHot2022 · 12/08/2022 15:46

I find it very frustrating that different surgeries have different online/video/app providers for e-consult/video consultations etc.

Between us, we have four different apps/ providers as we (Me, DH, DS1, DS2) are all registered at different GP practices.

My surgery was using Livi and I found that great, then suddenly it just disappeared as an option without any explanation from the surgery!

I agree. Our surgery has used two different e-consult platforms. Now they have signed up to PushDoctor which I thought might be useful for certain things but it gets appalling reviews.

@FlorianImogen econsult is the online system. Most GPs have them, look on the website.
The e-con is not used properly at my surgery, they just use it as a triage tool in order to book appointments. So if it looks urgent they will call you sooner rather than later.

MarshaBradyo · 12/08/2022 16:14

Dd needed antibiotics for ear infection, screaming in night, and we rang 111 Saturday morning or maybe that night and had an appointment same Saturday about an hour or two later

It was face to face too back in pandemic times, Dr rang us to set it up

If you don’t want to hang up try 111 on another phone

LittleBearPad · 12/08/2022 16:16

I used an e-consult system at my surgery and the email response said a 6 hour turnaround. Within 15 minutes I’d been phoned and prescribed antibiotics to pick up at the local chemist - it was astonishing! Much better than ringing!

mdh2020 · 12/08/2022 16:16

Our econsult works from 8.00am until its full - don’t know how many messages they allow but you have to get on early. I’d say call 111 or go down to surgery and insist.

Mamamia7962 · 12/08/2022 16:26

Fordian - 1.5 hours? What number in the queue were you? I was once number 22 in the queue so hung up and went to the surgery. Fortunately it is close by.

Sarahcoggles · 12/08/2022 16:31

To answer your question - no, it isn't impossible. At the surgery where I work, about 60-80 people get a GP appointment each day, about another 20-30 get an urgent care nurse appointment.

cosyteapot · 12/08/2022 16:41

Ooof not good but I find it quite easy to get a doctors appointment in my city.

Get well soon OP x

dizzydizzydizzy · 12/08/2022 17:04

Tbh, I have a GP appointment roughly once a month and never have any problems gettting an appointment. I think it must be quite a postcode lottery. I think you'll have to phone 111 OP. Hope you're ok.

BeaLola · 12/08/2022 20:41

We can't book appts at our surgery without ringing - you cannot go in and book - just call every day at 08:30 to be triaged

cartbeforehorse · 12/08/2022 20:45

No, not for me, my GP surgery is fabulous and I can get an appointment on the day if needed. If they haven't got one/the allocation for the day has gone they fit you in somewhere if you need to be seen.

Original poster
Fordian · 17/08/2022 22:18

Well. I managed to book a call-back from my surgery which happened 3 hours later (I'm okay with that). I had to photograph the problem abs send it in. 2 hours later (4pm, Friday) a nurse practitioner called me back, and said - it doesn't look that bad to me so I can't prescribe- but, I can bypass 111 and give you an 'urgent' GP appointment for 9.30 an 7 miles away, Sunday morning.

I said 'yup , I'll take that!' - thus I was seen by a lovely, subcontracted, no doubt on £££ doc who prescribed antibiotics, on Sunday morning.

OP posts:
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