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Original poster

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

157 replies

Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 09:02

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 20:55

@Anameisaname i know what it says, but it isn’t accurate. If you ring up for a non urgent appointment you are told to ring at 130 on a Friday. I know it’s frustrating, it’s frustrating for me as well, but this is where we’re at.

OP posts:
Rescue2024 · 21/03/2024 21:06

If you call at 1.30 on the Friday and stay on hold for however long it takes and ask for an appointment, do you get one? Even if it’s 4 weeks away?

take the appointment, call in a couple of days during normal working hours and say the issue is progressing, you may get an appointment sooner.

at this point involve 111 and push your appointment through that way.

you are so lucky to have the time to do the above, so many people aren’t in your position.

I hope to see a great update tomorrow for stage 1

Anameisaname · 21/03/2024 21:08

Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 20:55

@Anameisaname i know what it says, but it isn’t accurate. If you ring up for a non urgent appointment you are told to ring at 130 on a Friday. I know it’s frustrating, it’s frustrating for me as well, but this is where we’re at.

Which is why I have suggested completing the online form, the complaints form and contacting the ICB. As that should not be the case
I have pasted links above

Original poster
Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 21:12

I don’t have the time @Rescue2024 . But in any case, as I’ve explained, the phone just rings out.

@Anameisaname thanks, but I’m not sure that solves the problem with any immediacy. I genuinely have no desire for the thread to turn argumentative but it does feel as though that’s what is happening.

OP posts:
Anameisaname · 21/03/2024 21:17

Sorry if you felt I was being argumentative. I was trying to point out some options to help secure an appointment which is your objective. As you have explained you don't have time so these are all quicker options as you can cut and paste the key points.

The online form for non urgent appt is not designed for your particular need but at least it gets you in the system and someone will read it and contact you and hopefully offer an appointment.

The complaint means that someone will read it and respond to the complaint and hopefully get you towards an appointment

The ICB at least means that you can make them query why the practice tells you this can be done but in practice it can't. Won't help this appointment but may help your next.

If you do all 3 you maximise your chances and if it's not quick enough then it sounds like you're in the urgent appt territory anyway

Rescue2024 · 21/03/2024 21:19

You said you are on maternity leave, you do have time, you can keep trying and then you are through the first step.

do you have any kind of wellness app through your work, an employee assistance programme?

Jandob · 21/03/2024 21:23

Can self refer for physio.

Original poster
Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 21:24

Rescue2024 · 21/03/2024 21:19

You said you are on maternity leave, you do have time, you can keep trying and then you are through the first step.

do you have any kind of wellness app through your work, an employee assistance programme?

@Rescue2024 it doesn’t make a difference how much time I do or don’t have. The phone rings out. You cannot get through.

I do have to call tomorrow to make an appointment for a child and I’ll almost certainly get a same day appointment for her. It’s when you need a non urgent one (and unfortunately you don’t get to decide what is urgent and what is not) the system just doesn’t work.

OP posts:
Rescue2024 · 21/03/2024 21:30

I can really feel your frustrating and I also appreciate I’m a very direct person! Attend the child’s appt and then hijack the GP. They will know the reasons why the system isn't working, hit them with direct questions, why can’t you have an appt, explain the issue to them face to face, they can’t physically remove you, get your story across and ask (pressuring) them to arrange an Appt, they can put it on the system.

ask them their medical opinion, referral, self referral options, press them over and over again.

Original poster
Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 21:32

I think if you are getting frustrated, step back. I hate it when this happens, helpful threads are taken over by sheer bossiness.

OP posts:
Rescue2024 · 21/03/2024 21:33

Anniessongs · 21/03/2024 21:32

I think if you are getting frustrated, step back. I hate it when this happens, helpful threads are taken over by sheer bossiness.

Goodnight OP
I wish you well

penjil · 21/03/2024 23:08

DSD9472 · 21/03/2024 09:12

See an osteopath. I'd much prefer and osteo to a chiropractor and they have helped a great deal with my back pain.

You certainly can see private GP's face to face too!

Another vote for an osteopath or chiropractor.

Physios are a waste of time. They just get you to do exercises.

You want someone who can analyse your body, and do adjustments to put it right!

MarkWithaC · 22/03/2024 11:19

OP, when you say 'They might say that. They don’t.', do you mean they don't have an online booking process? If that's the case then their website is wrong and you should write a complaint. As someone suggested, cc your MP. Apart from hopefully addressing the wider issue, it might give them a kick up the arse to get you an appointment.

HungryBeagle · 22/03/2024 11:26

Yes, if they have inaccurate information on their website about the appointment booking process then it definitely needs a complaint to the practice manager. I’m sure lots of people are having the same problem.

Halfwayuporhalfwaydown · 22/03/2024 11:27

OP your surgery has a 'first contact' physio. Have you tried making an appointment with them? They can make sure you see a GP if necessary, once they've assessed you.

Ontopofthesunset · 22/03/2024 11:54

If the phone just rings out, how will you get an appointment for your child tomorrow? Surely it will ring out then as well.

Original poster
Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:15

Ontopofthesunset · 22/03/2024 11:54

If the phone just rings out, how will you get an appointment for your child tomorrow? Surely it will ring out then as well.

I’m a bit surprised the thread is still going. I don’t think there’s anything further to say.

To answer your question, for same day appointments you ring in the morning. For non urgent ones you ring at 130 on a Friday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:15

Ontopofthesunset · 22/03/2024 11:54

If the phone just rings out, how will you get an appointment for your child tomorrow? Surely it will ring out then as well.

Accidentally posted twice.

OP posts:
InTheRainOnATrain · 22/03/2024 12:18

Halfwayuporhalfwaydown · 22/03/2024 11:27

OP your surgery has a 'first contact' physio. Have you tried making an appointment with them? They can make sure you see a GP if necessary, once they've assessed you.

This is a really good idea. I know you don’t think it’s a physio issue but it could be your best way to swerve the ridiculous booking system as you can hopefully persuade the physio it also needs examination by the doctor then that’ll give the green light to get one of the hard to come by appointment slots…

Original poster
Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:22

It could be a physio issue. I just think that needs to come from a doctor, not a MN thread.

When you’re endlessly repeating yourself it’s possible to come across as obtuse and I don’t want that to happen but I don’t think I’m wanting anything unreasonable here. I’m also not sure I’m comfortable with the number of posters going on my surgery’s website to try to catch me out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:23

Apart from anything else if it is physio that’s needed I’d need to arrange that privately anyway. So as frustrating as my GP system is it is by the by if I am referred for physio.

OP posts:
Anameisaname · 22/03/2024 12:27

Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:22

It could be a physio issue. I just think that needs to come from a doctor, not a MN thread.

When you’re endlessly repeating yourself it’s possible to come across as obtuse and I don’t want that to happen but I don’t think I’m wanting anything unreasonable here. I’m also not sure I’m comfortable with the number of posters going on my surgery’s website to try to catch me out.

Wow.

I was trying to help. I work in the health service, not everyone knows how to complain or the routes for it. Not everyone knows about online forms.

Literally trying to help in case you weren't aware. Or sometimes people in pain aren't able to think clearly as the pain is so acute.

But clearly there was no help needed or wanted. Not sure why you posted tbh

I'm done

Original poster
Anniessongs · 22/03/2024 12:29

I’m sorry if you’re offended and thank you for trying to help. However - I do explain fairly clearly why I posted.

OP posts:
MoonWoman69 · 22/03/2024 12:34

I have had exactly the same problem! I have been in agony with my back (degenerative condition) for the last 5 coming into 6 weeks.
Have tried ringing countless times and I can't even get onto the queue! All I need is to ask for painkillers that don't contain codeine, as it's started making me violently sick. But no, couldn't get through to anyone.
My husband went to his GPs surgery yesterday (part of the same group as mine) explained my situation and the receptionist got me an appointment at my surgery for the 4th April!!! It's absolutely ridiculous.
And when I have had an appointment, I am the only one in the waiting room, we have at least 8 doctors in my surgery alone, so where are their patients?! It's like the Marie Celeste when I'm waiting! Just me, a receptionist and the odd nurse floating past... Bizarre!
This has been the case since Covid. They need to get their arses in gear if you ask me and get back to how it used to be now. This picking and choosing over having face to face appointments is a joke and people are suffering. Sorry, rant over! 😁

Anameisaname · 22/03/2024 12:34

Well you just accused those of us who bothered to do a bit of digging for you of trying to catch you out rather than helping.

Your original post said what to do if you can't get a GP appointment. So a few people including me tried to offer some suggestions for how to get the appt via circuitous means at the GP surgery. We looked up the website as clearly there was no point giving you advice that worked in my GP surgery as they are all different. So tried to give some ideas on how to get an appointment which you said was your goal.

Anyway I am not sure I've got any further help to offer. Good luck

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