Medical appointments - any suggestions?

[ChevronB19]

Sorry, this might come across as ‘old man shouts at cloud’.

Moved house 2 years ago.

Previous place had an excellent doctors surgery, you could ring any time of day to book the next available appointment, or a phone appointment.

I’m currently in a position where I *really need* an appointment, whether in person or by phone.

However, my current surgery will only allocate appointments when the phone lines open at 8am - so in essence, unless you win the lottery, you’re on hold forever (or worse - just an engaged tone) only to find out all appointments have gone.

They also have ‘econsult’. However this only opens at 18:30, and it’s a similar system - if you don’t manage to bag one, you’ve had it - you can’t get in a queue.

So what on Earth do I do? People say use the hospital drop in (non emergency) queue, but it doesn’t sound ‘right’ to me, going to what in essence is hospital for something that should be addressed in the way that has previously worked for decades. I’m lucky in that I *could* pay to go private, but again, that doesn’t sound ‘right’.

[petrolbloke]

A few ideas:
1. If you have medical cover through your employer you might be able to get a phone or video appointment through that
2. Change GP surgery
3. Complaint to practice manager/MP (slow and probably fruitless)

[Riley Blue]

Is there a UTC (Urgent Treatment Centre) locally that you could visit? Cancel that, I see you're in Cumbria..

I'd be calling the 111 out of hours service as a first step to getting an appointment, especially if it's urgent but a non-emergency.

ETA: When I called 111 in January they summoned an ambulance and I was in A&E within an hour, dealt with and on my way home within six hours.

Edited by Riley Blue on Wednesday 9th November 16:15

[dontfollowme]

Can you book one via the NHS app? That's what I did on my surgery's advice.

[Oscarmac]

Have you downloaded the NHS app? Most surgeries in this area allow you to book through the app. Ive just checked and I an book a non urgent phone appointment for tomorrow (only 1 left) and 5 available for Friday. I'd have to wait untll Tuesday next week if I wanted face to face.

[BoRED S2upid]

Honestly go to the walk in at the hospital. I’ve been twice with the kids in the past 6 months one was at 3:30am which was an experience. Both times I waited less than 30 mins and they spent a lot longer doing the diagnosis than the doc. Don’t think you are taking a doctor away from hospital
Patients in ours it’s part of A&E and they will prioritise others over you don’t worry about that.

[Golfgtimk28v]

Have you actually tried at 8am? Are you in a life or death situation, can you not wait a few weeks? Could you not go to A and E or a walk in centre?

[the-norseman]

If its that urgent drive to the surgery and tell them how urgent it is.

[ChevronB19]

Golfgtimk28v said:

Have you actually tried at 8am? Are you in a life or death situation, can you not wait a few weeks? Could you not go to A and E or a walk in centre?

I have tried every day this week at 8am. Ditto when econsult opens at 18:30. Doctors appointments shouldn’t be a choice between life and death, but what I have at the moment is severely affecting me.

Sorry if that comes across as grumpy.

Thanks for comments, I will try the walk in, but it just doesn’t seem ‘right’ if you know what I mean, having to go from something which should be routine care to what in essence is a form of emergency care.

[BoRED S2upid]

ChevronB19 said:

I have tried every day this week at 8am. Ditto when econsult opens at 18:30. Doctors appointments shouldn’t be a choice between life and death, but what I have at the moment is severely affecting me.

Sorry if that comes across as grumpy.

Thanks for comments, I will try the walk in, but it just doesn’t seem ‘right’ if you know what I mean, having to go from something which should be routine care to what in essence is a form of emergency care.

It’s not emergency care. I think you’re overthinking the hospital bit. It’s just extra doctor capacity based at a hospital. The people waiting with you have the same issues as regular doctors issues.

[bigpriest]

Use the hospital walk-in (a) it's for your health and (b) the more people attend via this method, the more chance that access at your surgery will be looked at.

For context within NHS Finances, the lowest nominal cost for an A&E attendance is £86 (highest is £418). It's much cheaper for a walk-in centre.

[Crud]

Sounds like my old surgery. Everything done to make it as difficult as possible to see a doc.

I've let a couple of things get a little too serious because I can't get through numerous times then just got on and dealt with it.

One time I was on hold, I managed to walk to my car, drive 10 miles across London in heavy traffic and sat parked for 20 minutes before they answered.

Then it's a doc will call you. It's always when I'm at work, in a meeting or in the shower.

Call back and you are back on hold for ages.

I managed to get my son a much needed appointment there and the place was empty.

Loads of seats in the waiting room but no one there.

I've moved now and I'm 5 mins from my new surgery so I just walk there.

The receptionists are just as unfriendly as the last place though.

I'm always polite and friendly yet they look at me as if I'm a predator of some sort.

[Golfgtimk28v]

ChevronB19 said:

I have tried every day this week at 8am. Ditto when econsult opens at 18:30. Doctors appointments shouldn’t be a choice between life and death, but what I have at the moment is severely affecting me.

Sorry if that comes across as grumpy.

Thanks for comments, I will try the walk in, but it just doesn’t seem ‘right’ if you know what I mean, having to go from something which should be routine care to what in essence is a form of emergency care.

I have very much experience of dealing with the NHS.

GPs today are not what they were 20 years ago. Use the resources available, walk in centres are decent I've found. Can cover until you can get into GP.

[xx99xx]

BoRED S2upid said:

Honestly go to the walk in at the hospital. I’ve been twice with the kids in the past 6 months one was at 3:30am which was an experience. Both times I waited less than 30 mins and they spent a lot longer doing the diagnosis than the doc. Don’t think you are taking a doctor away from hospital
Patients in ours it’s part of A&E and they will prioritise others over you don’t worry about that.

Kids always get priority over adults though. If an adult turned up with a non urgent enquiry, expect a lot longer wait than 30 mins.

The phone triage does seem a bit pointless in some cases though. When you have something they literally need to see or touch they still insist on a phone call first then conclude you should go in for a face to face!

[Thats What She Said]

Our local doctors surgery used to be like that 10 years ago. I could ring up and get an appointment next day. Now, it's the 8am race to the phone to be put on hold for ages.

I actually had an appointment last week, as I've buggered up my AC joint. Whilst sitting in the waiting area, I was the only person there. They must have 10 GP's working there and numorous nurses.

[Robmarriott]

BoRED S2upid said:

ChevronB19 said:

I have tried every day this week at 8am. Ditto when econsult opens at 18:30. Doctors appointments shouldn’t be a choice between life and death, but what I have at the moment is severely affecting me.

Sorry if that comes across as grumpy.

Thanks for comments, I will try the walk in, but it just doesn’t seem ‘right’ if you know what I mean, having to go from something which should be routine care to what in essence is a form of emergency care.

It’s not emergency care. I think you’re overthinking the hospital bit. It’s just extra doctor capacity based at a hospital. The people waiting with you have the same issues as regular doctors issues.

My local one says this;

“The service is for patients with a pressing health need in very specific circumstances.It is therefore important to understand when it is right to attend:

YES

A minor injury that needs additional immediate treatment or investigation (such as an x-ray)
A medical condition which is getting worse, you have been back to your own GP practice and they have directed you to the UCC
NO

You have a minor illness (contact your GP practice or seek advice from a pharmacist)
You have a long term condition which has deteriorated, or some other more significant illness (contact your GP practice)
You have a life-threatening emergency or serious condition, such as a suspected heart attack, stroke, sepsis (blood poisoning) or major bleeding (call 999 for an ambulance immediately)”

So if you can’t get through to the GP, for them to refer you to the only available option of the UCC, what do you do? A&E?

[Chicken_Satay]

It's worth remembering that the UK government is spending £7M per day, accommodating economic migrants in hotels etc, because of unprotected borders. Think how many GP surgeries that could fund. Make sure you vote for a political party that genuinely aims to sort this out.

[numtumfutunch]

Chicken_Satay said:

It's worth remembering that the UK government is spending £7M per day, accommodating economic migrants in hotels etc, because of unprotected borders. Think how many GP surgeries that could fund. Make sure you vote for a political party that genuinely aims to sort this out.

Thats 49 mill per week which is a pale shadow of the 350 mill we've now got for the NHS on the back of the Brexit bus. Or was it the side of the Brexit bus?

Anyway apols for the tangent inspired by the uncalled for and unnecessary post I quoted

My ex GP surgery was much as you describe

The whole family were registered and as long as nobody needed anything it was a great service

Up until the time I had a flare up of a long standing knee injury and needed anti inflammatories which I can buy over the counter but only doctors can issue the hardcore stuff

In a nutshell I had to take the day off work and phone up at 8am to be triaged
Predictably my gammy knee got less priority than kids and people with strokes and heart attacks so Id be knocked back and asked to phone at 8am the following day. Which Id have to take the day off for again.

Can you see where this is going?

Yes indeed, it went to us changing practice to one with a half sensible booking system which the OP should do too

Good luck

[Mojooo]

Vote Labour.

[Auslander]

Mojooo said:

Vote Labour.

Health has been devolved to Welsh Labour for something like 20 years now.

It's an even bigger clusterfk than it is in England.

Vote Labour - get even worse health services.

I'm glad my company health insurance covers me for Babylon online GP appointments - after visiting the pharmacy, my GP and the walk-in centre for an infected horsefly bite, I called Babylon and they sent me straight to A&E with a referral letter... if I hadn't done this, I'd have lost a lower arm to sepsis. I had a really bad case of cellulitis which needed 24 hours on an antibiotic drip. NHS Wales failed on 3 occasions to pick this up.