What the hell do you do when you just can’t get a GP appointment?

[Anniessongs]

It’s a horrendous system.

I am 43. I’ve had back troubles for years but my last pregnancy exacerbated issues to the point I could barely walk. I am now also having issues with one knee being incredibly painful and I’m struggling to live a ‘normal’ life.

You can only make appointments at 130 on a Friday. Normally I’m at work then and you can be on the phone for hours. I’m actually on maternity leave at the moment but you just cannot get through. I’ve tried going in but with two small children waiting for hours isn’t feasible.

The only thing I can think of is to go private but I don’t want an online appointment! Does anywhere offer a system where you can actually SEE someone?

Have you got the NHS app? Our GP practice has non urgent appointments on there you can book. They are normally a couple of weeks in advance and you have to keep an eye out for when they are released but it saves hanging on the phone for hours.

Go private, get a physio and start doing matt pilates.

Why's everyone fixating on physio? I mean, I've seen some excellent physios on the NHS, but in the OP's shoes I'd want to see a doctor too.
OP, I don't suppose your surgery does the phone queue thing where you can opt to leave your number and they call people back in order of when they phoned?
Or, I know you can be on the phone on hold for hours, but can you put in headphones and get on with things while you wait?

@KnittedCardi except that we’ve told again and again that it’s not ok to go direct.
Actually it’s still not ok to go direct for most things.

And the NHS needs to make that pathway clear. If you can self refer, then it should be front page of the surgery website. Things change, quickly. From self referrals to how appointments are made etc…
If changes are made but not advertised, how do you suppose people will know?

Osteopath all the way!

Osteopaths are not medical people and osteopathy can do real damage. They can not order MRIs or x rays.
An NHS physio can properly assess and order diagnostic tests.

Thanks.

If the GP when / if I see them thinks physio is best I’ll have to pay privately anyway. I am hesitant given that as indicated above I do think pain that comes seemingly out of nowhere needs looking at and also that when I slipped a disc and did myself some real damage physio wasn’t suggested or recommended. That could just have been a crap GP (different one to aforementioned surgery) but it is at the back of my mind. I know some people mean well but that’s where we’re at.

@MarkWithaC it isn’t that. It just rings out.

Oh, that's really unhelpful isn't it?!?
I know you need an appointment asap, but how about emailing the practice manager (contact details should hopefully be on the website) and just telling them how impossible it is?

Well, I do think it needs seeing asap - it really has notably worsened this week. I’ll sort it with DH tonight and will update. I really think I need a scan and proper diagnosis. I’m not being difficult, really, but I’m not prone to random pain and I am a little bit concerned.

A slipped disk is not something you recover from. It is generally a degenerative issue so could explain your new pain. You need to be seen asap. Call the surgery, say you have previously had a slipped disk and have similar new pain (even if not true). They will make sure you are seen.

The problem is being unable to get through to the surgery! It's not like she's not trying.

She can’t get through at the designated time to get an appointment. I’m sure she can get through at a different time.

I got a message on my prescription that i picked up from the pharmacy telling me to call the surgery to book an appointment to discuss it. I called the surgery to be told that i needed a phone consultation. So i said ok what dates do you have to be told sorry we don't have any.

You can get through eventually but you can’t book an appointment, which is what I need!

This is very frustrating. Yes the nhs is fucked but you need help. Ring up in the morning and say you need a same day appointment for severe back pain. Don’t minimise your pain, pain isn’t routine. Also self refer for physio on that online form, worst they can say is no.

I would say private physio is night and day compared to the nhs physio clinic I was subjected to when I had spd. Hope you feel better 😊

I think March means phone and, when you do get someone, explain that you can never get through at the designated appointment time and explain that you really need to see a GP. If reception aren’t being helpful, be a bit pushier, or ask for the practice manager.

I have posted this before, but my elderly friend, who is technophobic, writes a letter and posts it to the practice manager. Because it is in writing, they always respond. This approach might be worrh trying OP. You could send it recorded delivery and cc your MP for good measure.

but people have given you reasonable ideas on how to get one - change surgeries, or exaggerate and say you need an urgent appointment, or contact the practice manager and tell them you've tried ringing at 1.30 on friday every week for x weeks, you haven't been able to get through, your pain has escalated in that time and can they offer any ideas?

Not on the same scale but I came to the end of my repeat prescription for eczema, like you it's impossible to get a non-urgent appointment, I emailed the surgery saying do I really need an appointment to get the prescription renewed, it seems like a waste when you're busy and it's the same thing I have every time - came back saying that's fine we'll just set up a new prescription, pick it up in a few days.

Did the same when I needed to go back on the pill - said I know the doctor usually needs to sign it off but I've been on that exact one before, no side effects, same weight as when you last saw me, and definitely don't want to discuss other options - do I really need to see the doctor. Came back offering a next day appt with a nurse in their sister surgery.

Point is the only people that can give you an appointment are the surgery so THEY are the people you need to talk to!

@easylikeasundaymorn

change surgeries

You know it isn’t as simple as that

or exaggerate and say you need an urgent appointment

Unless I invent a completely different set of symptoms this would not help

or contact the practice manager and tell them you've tried ringing at 1.30 on friday every week for x weeks, you haven't been able to get through, your pain has escalated in that time and can they offer any ideas

I have, the only suggestion is that I come into the surgery on a Friday afternoon but it is just as busy in person as on the phone and I really can’t stand for hours with two tiny children.

I asked a question and have some ideas for going forwards. DH and I are about to have dinner so will talk to him now.

@Anniessongs if the practice is Wellbrook Medical then per their website they accept appointment bookings online and also for urgent appointments "phone us on 01283 732257, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.30pm
visit the surgery and speak with a Reception Administrator, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.30pm"
https://www.wellbrookmedical.co.uk/page1.aspx?p=2
So maybe just try calling at 8am or going in person

They might say that. They don’t.

They don’t deem knee pain urgent, and I can see that it isn’t. It is an infuriating system, it’s fine if it is something urgent and you generally can get an appointment, but not for stuff like this.

Hi OP, I know that this doesn’t address your lack of doctor’s appointment and I can’t advise any better than the suggestions that have already been mentioned, but, I thought I would mention something that I have found useful. It’s called Bowen and Emmett therapy. Usually costs around £40 an hour/ish and is very gentle but effective. I had really painful knees for years and after 1 session, I was honestly pain free and have been now for 2 years. My life has changed so much now that I can run upstairs, do Zumba classes, climb coastaI paths on holiday etc. I have no idea what she did or how she did it, but the therapy aligns muscles and bones, but so gently. My body after an hour of treatment feels amazing.
I hope that you get the treatment you need soon.

OK so theie website says "To request a routine appointment in the next 14 days:

phone us on 01283 732257, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.30pm
visit the surgery and speak with a Reception Administrator, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.30pm
request an appointment online (see below)"

So again it says you don't have to stick with 1.30 Friday
Have you tried the online form?

If their website is incorrect and you cant make routine apps in the times stated above then use ther complaints form to file a complaint or complaint to the ICB as they've provided details for that too

www.wellbrookmedical.co.uk/page1.aspx?p=14&t=3