Does anyone else have this trouble getting an appointment at the doctors?

[Radley]

Does anyone else have the same problem with trying to get a doctors appointment.

On Monday I tried to get two appointments together for myself and my daughter, I was asked AT LEAST 8 times whether I was sure that I needed to see a doctor. When I finally got an appointment she was glaring at me whilst I waited in the waiting room.

Today, I need a home appt as DH is v ill, he was sent home from work (which has never happened before in the 26 years he's worked there) he cannot walk etc. I asked for an appointment and was once again met with 'what's wrong with him' are you SURE he can't walk to the surgery? WFF? are you sure a nurse practitioner or triage nurse can't help.

She finally put him down then asked me AGAIN what was wrong, at this time, I was close to losing it, I sighed and told her in no uncertain terms that 'I am fed up to the back teeth of not being able to get a straightforward appointment and being asked 101 question'.

The cheeky so and so then asked me AGAIN what was wrong with him, at which point I raised my voice (didn't shout) and said 'If I KNEW what was wrong with him I would not have called the doctor'

I am sat here with a hot cup of tea quietly seething, she didn't tell me an approx time or anything

It should not be that difficult, but unfortunately GPs are under pressure at this time of year. This sounds like a problem with reception staff and the management of the appointments system. As for not being able to give you a time, this is sort of understandable - they may have loads of house calls, or not know yet how many there are yet, and if you can't give them clear symptoms they won't know how to prioritise your DH.

The new GP contract rewards GPs for patient access (among other things), so a complaint is a really good way to express your frustration about this - they will be forced to listen to your concerns and maybe even consider taking action. When the GP does come you should calmly explain the problems you have, state that your issue is not with that GP but with the system and ask for a complaint form.

Thanks percypig, it's not that I want a definate time, just an after 10, after 11. between 1 & 2 etc so I can both look out for them and if it is going to be later in the day, arrange for someone to pick up dd1.

I've had so many problems, I now do think the complaint route is the way to go now.

Percypig's right about making a complaint but don't just talk to the GP who visits today, write a letter to the practice manager.

And complain about the receptionist demanding to know what's wrong - none of her damn business, she's not a doctor. Whatever happened to medical confidentiality?

That sounds appalling. At my surgery you have to ring in at 0930 to get an appointment for that morning - you can never get through and if you do the appointments are gone . The alernative is an appointment a week away. Luckily we don't need to see them much and I certainly don't get the 101 interregation (sp?). They are so overworked at my surgery it's ridiculous. A new surgery was built 2 years ago and my surgery has been extended but with the increase in new builds in the area it now is worse than ever.

Sorry to say ours is the same, ring for an appt at 8.45 for that day, great until youve sat there with your finger on the redial button for 20 - 30 mins and have school age kids! Have often been asked what the problem is but have always responded with thats between me and the gp, if the gp wants to speak to me first to find out if im wasting her time, then put me through. Although after conversation with the stroppy receptionist i do usually feel in need of a few valium, anyone know a gp who could prescribe some? Hope dh is ok, if all else fails, reach for the chocolate, best medecine for me! lol

We have this too. Have to ring at 8.00am, which as Bigcar points out, is hard work if you're getting ready for school.

We rarely go to the GP, we've been 3 times in the past year, the results were bronchitis, septic arthritis and a follow-up after a virus in case the arthritis came back.

So when I need an appointment I NEED an appointment. If I don't get what I want from the receptionist I ask for the Practice Manager to call me back and then I always get a suitable appointment. But it's a PITA having to do this much work.

Doctor still hasn't been, it wouldn't surprise me if she hasn't put the appointment through.

DH is still bad his temp is 42.1

We also have to ring at 8 but they give stupid times like 8.10, when it's impossible to get there as

a, i have 2 children to get to school and b, I don't drive

We have now got a stupid 08444 number which goes through loads of bumpf, before getting to

1 for appointments
2 for emergencys and home visits
3 for repeat prescriptions
4 for test results

or hold 20 minutes for an operator

Its that bad, that once after dd2 was born, I was v v ill (i was eventually re-admitted) I told the receptionist the symptoms as she said she wouldn't give me an appointment unless i did, i told her i was having a bleed and she asked, where from, what colour blood, how much and the old chestnut 'are you sure'

Ask to speak to the triage nurse. At our GPs the receptionists will try to put you off if you ask for an urgent appointment. However, the triage nurse is very good at making an assessment to determine whether an urgent appointment is required - and then arranging it!

I agree the problems is usually the recpetionists.

For isntance I wanted to see the pracitce nurse and she kept asking what it was for. In front of the queue of people! She didn't like it when I told her I was not telling her!

It's too late now scotlou, the doctors are shut from 12-2 for lunch. I know the last surgery is at 11, so hopefully doctor won't be too long.

CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THE DOCTOR HAS SAID TO DH
This morning dh literally could not walk, had to crawl upstairs to the loo.

I told receptionist this when i rang. Doc has just been and said

Doc ; The reason i've come today is that you can't walk'

DH; I struggle, go a few steps and legs give way, I've nearly fallen downstairs twice'

Doc ; So you can walk

Dh ; only a couple of steps before my legs give way

Doc : So you can walk, if you had fallen down the steps at the surgery we would have dealt with it there, but you CAN walk

and then threw a prescription at him and walked out

Thats terrible.
I would either ring the practice manager today or write a formal letter of complaint.
What heppened to the fsmily gp ? Its appauling now and i know for a lot og gps its the system and they dont like it themselves-but your doc sounds downright rude . Can you change gps.
Did he examine your dh ? If not thats negligent in itself maybe ?

Thats absolutely appalling Radley! What a rude person, any amount of stress the dr may be under does not allow for that. Seriously consider advice from Mooshy about changing gp sounds like good idea. Have you thought about ringing NHS Direct if youre not happy with his diagnosis? Definately complain though that is not on!!!

I've never seen this particular doctor before, she seemed very ignorant and non-plussed the minute she walked through the door.

DD1 has now started with it, so dh and dd1 are in bed barking orders for me to get them this and that

At our surgery the "recording" says will ask for details as many things can be seen by nurse etc, but if you doi not wish to tell the receptionsit say "it is private" and they won't ask again. This works.

You phone in morning for am appt and at lunchtime for pm appt. Doc will call you if you agree appt may not be req's & I have had a few prescriptions given over phone (childs cough, my pain relief etc), but sometimes Doc says you must come in, & receptionists then HAVE to give you an appt same day.

Maybe we are really lucky.

Is it possible shes a locum with the practice? Not that it excuses her behaviour, but you might not see her again. Remember your antibac handwash, rubber gloves and t towel round face to avoid family generously sharing bugs ! Have a large cuppa, dont forget to look after yourself as well!

We have system at our doctors now where, you can also have a telephone appointment, its great because if it is not something major, the doctor phones you at a specified time and thats it, done and dusted without leaving your chair

When my dds were small I admit to crying a couple of times, and the receptionists suddenly found me an appointment!

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