Booking a doctor's appointment, WTF?
Discussion
Being fortunate enough to enjoy mostly good health so far, I don't tend to ever go near doctor's surgeries, although I have picked up on people saying how difficult it is to get an appointment. Anyway, having an ailment that doesn't seem to want to go away (nothing serious, I don't think/hope), I thought I probably ought to get it checked.
Tried booking online, can't be done. So I called, to be told by a recorded message that all appointments for today are gone. No problem, I'll book one for later in the week. Oh, no option for doing that, I have to call first thing and try and get one that day. Except, on the website it says:
We do receive a very high volume of calls, approximately 800 calls every day, 200 of which are usually between 8am-9am so please bear this in mind.
So I have to call at the same time as 200 other people all trying to get an appointment that day, and that day only (because no option to book another day)?
That's bizarre!
Tried booking online, can't be done. So I called, to be told by a recorded message that all appointments for today are gone. No problem, I'll book one for later in the week. Oh, no option for doing that, I have to call first thing and try and get one that day. Except, on the website it says:
We do receive a very high volume of calls, approximately 800 calls every day, 200 of which are usually between 8am-9am so please bear this in mind.
So I have to call at the same time as 200 other people all trying to get an appointment that day, and that day only (because no option to book another day)?
That's bizarre!
I had an aggressive cancer a few years back, trying to find the magical combo of moves to get the ball rolling was really really hard. Once it got rolling things happened really quickly for a bit, then I had to go an find the surgeons secretary office and basically badger her in person to try and get the cutting out booked in
Really really awful and really really good service at the same time, confusing
Really really awful and really really good service at the same time, confusing
Yep. Utterly ridiculous.
I phoned my GP’s for a medication review they asked for the other week, the automatic response told me I was 13th in the queue. The next update said 26th in the queue.
25 minutes later I got to speak to someone to be told all appointments had gone and to ring back tomorrow.
I am not sure how they are allowed to get away with this.
I phoned my GP’s for a medication review they asked for the other week, the automatic response told me I was 13th in the queue. The next update said 26th in the queue.
25 minutes later I got to speak to someone to be told all appointments had gone and to ring back tomorrow.
I am not sure how they are allowed to get away with this.
Exactly the same as our situation, our little lad who is 2.5 has had this cold/cough for well over a week now, we tried to get through Monday but couldn't, Tuesday and Wednesday the same. So on Thursday I used whattimeisitnow website and pressed dial at 07:59:50, bu time the phone had dialled the number it was 08:00:01, number 9 in the queue excellent, to be told "we had 3 appointments today and they have gone" so I sent an email to the doctors and also the company that runs them.
Friday I get a call about the complaint, "were installing a new phone system, new staff etc etc" , I said in the mean time what am I supposed to do with the lad hes still unwell? oh well get you in today, so fair enough they got us a telephone appointment that turned into a, "wed better see him" only to be told theres nothing much up with him.
Saturday night 39-40 degrees burning up, so we spent 5.5 hours at the walk in centre yesterday, hes now on antibiotics.
My old doctors before I moved, used to have a website/app where you submit your symptoms and they either call you, book you an appointment or tell you to go to the walk in centre.
Friday I get a call about the complaint, "were installing a new phone system, new staff etc etc" , I said in the mean time what am I supposed to do with the lad hes still unwell? oh well get you in today, so fair enough they got us a telephone appointment that turned into a, "wed better see him" only to be told theres nothing much up with him.
Saturday night 39-40 degrees burning up, so we spent 5.5 hours at the walk in centre yesterday, hes now on antibiotics.
My old doctors before I moved, used to have a website/app where you submit your symptoms and they either call you, book you an appointment or tell you to go to the walk in centre.
Last time I phoned my GP I was worried about my blood pressure. Firstly there was a recorded message to say there were no appointments at all, and finally I got through to a receptionist.
They said I would receive a text and that someone would phone me back which they did about three weeks later. God knows what happens if you are actually ill?
I had swimmers ear a few months ago, I ended up making a 15 minute appointment with a BUPA doctor for £85. I had my choice of clinics and appointments and could have seen someone the same day. You don't have to be a member to use this service, anyone can do it. I did have an online appointment with a BUPA Dr first (through my work cover) but they would not prescribe anything without someone examining me first.
I was given some antibiotics to clear it up which it did, but then it started to come back. Two weeks after the initial appointment the Dr from Bupa called me back to see how I got on with the antibiotics. When I explained I thought it was coming back they prescribed me a spray over the phone which I picked up from my local pharmacy.
I would never bother with an NHS Dr again, I assume they are all still in their Cornwall holiday homes afraid to see anyone because of Covid?
They said I would receive a text and that someone would phone me back which they did about three weeks later. God knows what happens if you are actually ill?
I had swimmers ear a few months ago, I ended up making a 15 minute appointment with a BUPA doctor for £85. I had my choice of clinics and appointments and could have seen someone the same day. You don't have to be a member to use this service, anyone can do it. I did have an online appointment with a BUPA Dr first (through my work cover) but they would not prescribe anything without someone examining me first.
I was given some antibiotics to clear it up which it did, but then it started to come back. Two weeks after the initial appointment the Dr from Bupa called me back to see how I got on with the antibiotics. When I explained I thought it was coming back they prescribed me a spray over the phone which I picked up from my local pharmacy.
I would never bother with an NHS Dr again, I assume they are all still in their Cornwall holiday homes afraid to see anyone because of Covid?
Edited by ThingsBehindTheSun on Monday 25th November 12:40
Welcome to Britain's "world beating" NHS. I'm not saying the NHS is no good but the service is so patchy it's a joke. Often because it works on the basis of "supply" while completely ignoring "demand". Hence the impossibility of getting a doctor's appointment linked with long waiting lists for treatment.
But never fear, every new tax and government policy is designed to "clear the backlog" or "fix the NHS". Don't hold your breath. In its current form the NHS is simply not viable and few, if any, other countries are daft enough to try to have a similar free system. Unless that nettle is grasped it will just go on stumbling from one crisis to the next.
When you look at international comparisons the reason UK struggles is that the spend per head on healthcare is lower than other countries - i.e. it's not the "system", it's the "money". The only realistic way to increase that average spend is to introduce compulsory private insurance to cover some or all of the costs. In other countries such insurance is typically provided by employers through a bulk scheme or else bought individually.
But never fear, every new tax and government policy is designed to "clear the backlog" or "fix the NHS". Don't hold your breath. In its current form the NHS is simply not viable and few, if any, other countries are daft enough to try to have a similar free system. Unless that nettle is grasped it will just go on stumbling from one crisis to the next.
When you look at international comparisons the reason UK struggles is that the spend per head on healthcare is lower than other countries - i.e. it's not the "system", it's the "money". The only realistic way to increase that average spend is to introduce compulsory private insurance to cover some or all of the costs. In other countries such insurance is typically provided by employers through a bulk scheme or else bought individually.
It depends where you live and how it's run. I live near Thame and the health centre here is superb. Having just gone through a 'scare', my treatment was first class from initial online appointment, to getting an all clear. But then being able to use Oxfords teaching hospitals really helps.
Not much to say about the low number of doctors for the population.
Cos I see no way for it to get close to European levels.
But wanted to empathise - especially with Norseman. I don't have kids, but the stress of trying to do the 'right thing' for them versus the 'system' sounds like a real torture. A real bind.
Cos I see no way for it to get close to European levels.
But wanted to empathise - especially with Norseman. I don't have kids, but the stress of trying to do the 'right thing' for them versus the 'system' sounds like a real torture. A real bind.
The variance in process and experience is frustrating. The receptionists in my surgery are really good and think on their feet.
I've called up before after the morning rush and - based on need - they've manged to re-shuffle a few things to get me a call back. During that call, a GP can force an appointment if needed.
I've called up before after the morning rush and - based on need - they've manged to re-shuffle a few things to get me a call back. During that call, a GP can force an appointment if needed.
Do what my parents neighbours do, every time one of their kids has a sniffle or whatever, they big it up and call an ambulance, saves the booking and having to go out bits, four times in the last year or so apparently.
No shame, someone could be dying of a heart attack, but their need is greater.
They also have takeaway deliveries most nights, once early for the kids and one later, how lazy are some people ?
No shame, someone could be dying of a heart attack, but their need is greater.
They also have takeaway deliveries most nights, once early for the kids and one later, how lazy are some people ?
Don't try phoning for an Ambulance either.
I've spoken to 3 people who called for an ambulance in the past few months and were all told 6-8 hours wait, even if it was a serious injury with possible death if paramedics couldn't attend. The people in need of medical treatment ended up being driven to hospital by family/friends/colleagues.
I've spoken to 3 people who called for an ambulance in the past few months and were all told 6-8 hours wait, even if it was a serious injury with possible death if paramedics couldn't attend. The people in need of medical treatment ended up being driven to hospital by family/friends/colleagues.
I think this must be a regional issue.
Never have an issue with our local surgery. You can even rock up and if they have the availability, someone will see you there and then.
Admittedly, we live in a not particularly populated area of rural Essex but my 92 year old Mum lives on the eastern fringes of London yet has nothing other than praise for her local GP surgery. A call in the morning will normally have her seen that same day or the following day.
Never have an issue with our local surgery. You can even rock up and if they have the availability, someone will see you there and then.
Admittedly, we live in a not particularly populated area of rural Essex but my 92 year old Mum lives on the eastern fringes of London yet has nothing other than praise for her local GP surgery. A call in the morning will normally have her seen that same day or the following day.
J4CKO said:
Do what my parents neighbours do, every time one of their kids has a sniffle or whatever, they big it up and call an ambulance, saves the booking and having to go out bits, four times in the last year or so apparently.
No shame, someone could be dying of a heart attack, but their need is greater.
Yeah this doesn’t/didn't happen. No shame, someone could be dying of a heart attack, but their need is greater.
Ambulances are triaged into 4 categories (taken from London ambulance website but this is nationally, also take note that the average times and target times are from pre Covid times so expect these to be much longer:
Category one: for life-threatening injuries and illnesses, specifically cardiac arrest. These will need to be responded to in an average time of seven minutes.
Category two: for emergency calls, such as stroke patients. These will need to be responded to in an average time of 18 minutes.
Category three: for urgent calls such as abdominal pains, and which will include patients to be treated in their own home. These will be responded to at least nine out of 10 times within 120 minutes.
Category four: less urgent calls such as diarrhoea and vomiting and back pain. Some of these patients will be given advice over the telephone or referred to another service such as a GP or pharmacist. These less urgent calls will be responded to at least nine out of 10 times within 180 minutes.
Glassman said:
What I don't understand is that if it's so hard to get an appointment, and the surgeries are that busy, why is it that when I do get one, I am waiting in an empty waiting room?
A couple of reasons spring to mind1. they are seeing people and completing the appointment within the time allowed, so no backlog. This is the case with our surgery that has about 4 docsand 3 nurses at any one time. Usually just me and one other in the waiting room.
2. you have an end of session appointment
Mont Blanc said:
Don't try phoning for an Ambulance either.
I've spoken to 3 people who called for an ambulance in the past few months and were all told 6-8 hours wait, even if it was a serious injury with possible death if paramedics couldn't attend. The people in need of medical treatment ended up being driven to hospital by family/friends/colleagues.
If they can be driven to hospital then they didn’t need an ambulance. The problem is with few ambulances (from memory somewhere like Glasgow has 3-4 ambulances chuck in a heart attack, stroke and a car crash and one waiting to do a handover and before you know it you’re broken leg is being bumped down the list. I've spoken to 3 people who called for an ambulance in the past few months and were all told 6-8 hours wait, even if it was a serious injury with possible death if paramedics couldn't attend. The people in need of medical treatment ended up being driven to hospital by family/friends/colleagues.
By not allowing appointments in advance it allows them to manage capacity
I had an ear infection and had to go to the walk in centre
The walk in centre was packed - no doubt full of people who couldn't get a GP appointment.
Unfortunately a few from the walk in centre were sent to the A+E after having waited for 3 hours - which is a fair drive away as well.
I had an ear infection and had to go to the walk in centre
The walk in centre was packed - no doubt full of people who couldn't get a GP appointment.
Unfortunately a few from the walk in centre were sent to the A+E after having waited for 3 hours - which is a fair drive away as well.
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