Trying to book an appointment with doctor - not easy!
Discussion
I'm in Scotland and can get an appointment any time I like, with two days wait at the absolute maximum.
I suspect that's more to do with the chronic illness I have than the SNP's stellar operation of the NHS up here but either way it's pretty slick. I know all the Dorises by name (Pauline and Vivienne), and I'm in so often I have my 'usual' appointment time like pub regulars might ask for their usual pint. First one after lunch means zero wait. I usually get taken early.
I'll better not mention all those prescriptions I get are 'free' too...
The flip side is the lack of mobility that goes with severe arthritis. Having to relearn how to put socks on at 38 is not where you want to be.
I suspect that's more to do with the chronic illness I have than the SNP's stellar operation of the NHS up here but either way it's pretty slick. I know all the Dorises by name (Pauline and Vivienne), and I'm in so often I have my 'usual' appointment time like pub regulars might ask for their usual pint. First one after lunch means zero wait. I usually get taken early.
I'll better not mention all those prescriptions I get are 'free' too...
The flip side is the lack of mobility that goes with severe arthritis. Having to relearn how to put socks on at 38 is not where you want to be.
yellowtr said:
crofty1984 said:
If you don't mind me asking, how much does something like that cost and where about in the country are you?
Sure thing. Its £60 for a consultation and a £65 for a years membership. Telephone Consultation/Prescription (Writing) and Referrals are all free. Clinic is in New Malden, South London. I am very happy with the service. I can get an appointment same day, normally within the hour or two.Edited by yellowtr on Monday 17th September 16:52
The amazing thing about this thread is how different peoples' experiences are. Is it just a matter of a postcode lottery, or is something else at work here.
About four weeks ago I caught a cold, suffered all the usual over the weekend and started recovering on Monday. Two days later I started going downhill again, couldn't clear my chest, and started feeling confused. Having had experience with pneumonia with my father, I put two and two together and rang up the surgery for an appointment. They booked me an emergency appointment later the same day. Five minutes later the GP rang and said come over now.
Fifteen minutes after my first call I was sitting in the doctor's room. Half an hour and I was back home with a box of antibiotics.
About four weeks ago I caught a cold, suffered all the usual over the weekend and started recovering on Monday. Two days later I started going downhill again, couldn't clear my chest, and started feeling confused. Having had experience with pneumonia with my father, I put two and two together and rang up the surgery for an appointment. They booked me an emergency appointment later the same day. Five minutes later the GP rang and said come over now.
Fifteen minutes after my first call I was sitting in the doctor's room. Half an hour and I was back home with a box of antibiotics.
jockinthebox said:
Could you tell me where in Kt3?
Sure its herehttps://www.thegroves.co.uk/
Jeremy is who I see and is amazing. Very nice chap and very through. He has certainly helped me out a great deal this year.
If you do see him, please send him my regards. Say Peter with the Lamborghini says hello.
Tycho said:
Does the surgery do online bookings? If so then that is well worth looking at. My surgery only does on the day appointments and the phones are rammed for the first 1/2 hour of the working day but the website opens bookings a midnight so I just jump on then and get the choice of the day. YMMV but my surgery is very OAP heavy so none of them knows how to use the online facility which is a bonus!
Exactly this, though my one is for longer term appointments - added bonus of not having to negotiate with receptionists*.There is an optional box to fill in to say what the ailment is but I'm pretty sure no one reads it, as I've put things like "bubonic plague" in and no one has mentioned it
*though one of the receptionists at my docs has this 'goth-but-prim-and-proper' thing going on and I could quite happily lick her all over
Part of the problem has got to be the greed of councils allowing continual new house building whilst at the same time giving no funding for any new facilities...
My little town has expanded in size massively over the last decade yet there's been no new doctors, one replacement school and nothing else built in the way of "civic amenities"
My little town has expanded in size massively over the last decade yet there's been no new doctors, one replacement school and nothing else built in the way of "civic amenities"
Trax said:
wiggy001 said:
Nurse (to me): Ah Mr W, I had a lovely chat with your wife earlier today.
Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Its not another patient, its your wife and daughter ffs.Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Complain about the God s
te, but really.....Haven't read all replies so apologies if this has already been said.
OP many talking therapy services allow people to self refer without needing a referral from a GP or local mental health services. In Kent you can get around 6-10 sessions via self referral & they often have a psychiatrist who can refer in house if required.
OP many talking therapy services allow people to self refer without needing a referral from a GP or local mental health services. In Kent you can get around 6-10 sessions via self referral & they often have a psychiatrist who can refer in house if required.
PositronicRay said:
Trax said:
wiggy001 said:
Nurse (to me): Ah Mr W, I had a lovely chat with your wife earlier today.
Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Its not another patient, its your wife and daughter ffs.Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Complain about the God s
te, but really.....PositronicRay said:
Trax said:
wiggy001 said:
Nurse (to me): Ah Mr W, I had a lovely chat with your wife earlier today.
Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Its not another patient, its your wife and daughter ffs.Me: Excuse me?
Nurse: Your wife. She's a lovely lady and your daughter is very cute. You must be so proud!
Me: Should you be discussing another patient with me...?
Complain about the God s
te, but really.....The bit I didn't mention was that just before this she apologised for keeping me waiting "but the previous patient [that I had just seen stretchered out] had come in with a huge tumour that she believes is probably cancerous. The poor lady lives alone and was too scared to come in to have it check before today. I needed to stay with her until the paramedics arrived..."
I don't want to be seen by anyone with such a loose tongue!
wiggy001 said:
Exactly this. Just because she is my wife doesn't mean I have an automatic right to know when she goes to the doctor. That could have led to a very awkward conversation if it was related to something I knew nothing about.
The bit I didn't mention was that just before this she apologised for keeping me waiting "but the previous patient [that I had just seen stretchered out] had come in with a huge tumour that she believes is probably cancerous. The poor lady lives alone and was too scared to come in to have it check before today. I needed to stay with her until the paramedics arrived..."
I don't want to be seen by anyone with such a loose tongue!
That should have been investigated by the practice, assuming you made a complaint.The bit I didn't mention was that just before this she apologised for keeping me waiting "but the previous patient [that I had just seen stretchered out] had come in with a huge tumour that she believes is probably cancerous. The poor lady lives alone and was too scared to come in to have it check before today. I needed to stay with her until the paramedics arrived..."
I don't want to be seen by anyone with such a loose tongue!
The GP system is a ticking time bomb. A lot of GP’s are retiring and no one is filling the spaces. Hence the increase in nurse practitioners who need a nursing/paramedic degree to get started in a role and are a lot cheaper. Also the work force is there and willing because often the staff don’t want to work weekends and nights any more.
I often think about this and ideally surgery’s IMO need to be open 8-8 7 days a week (as an example) but if you think about how much extra money you need per surgery to make that work, GP’s, nurses, reception staff etc you very quickly get in millions of pound for even a couple of small surgeries.
I often think about this and ideally surgery’s IMO need to be open 8-8 7 days a week (as an example) but if you think about how much extra money you need per surgery to make that work, GP’s, nurses, reception staff etc you very quickly get in millions of pound for even a couple of small surgeries.
technodup said:
I'm in Scotland and can get an appointment any time I like, with two days wait at the absolute maximum.
I suspect that's more to do with the chronic illness I have than the SNP's stellar operation of the NHS up here but either way it's pretty slick. I know all the Dorises by name (Pauline and Vivienne), and I'm in so often I have my 'usual' appointment time like pub regulars might ask for their usual pint. First one after lunch means zero wait. I usually get taken early.
I'll better not mention all those prescriptions I get are 'free' too...
The flip side is the lack of mobility that goes with severe arthritis. Having to relearn how to put socks on at 38 is not where you want to be.
Where in Scotland are you? I'm in Glasgow, phoned this morning for an appointment, 2 week wait. It was 3 weeks last time.I suspect that's more to do with the chronic illness I have than the SNP's stellar operation of the NHS up here but either way it's pretty slick. I know all the Dorises by name (Pauline and Vivienne), and I'm in so often I have my 'usual' appointment time like pub regulars might ask for their usual pint. First one after lunch means zero wait. I usually get taken early.
I'll better not mention all those prescriptions I get are 'free' too...
The flip side is the lack of mobility that goes with severe arthritis. Having to relearn how to put socks on at 38 is not where you want to be.
Roofless Toothless said:
The amazing thing about this thread is how different peoples' experiences are. Is it just a matter of a postcode lottery, or is something else at work here.
About four weeks ago I caught a cold, suffered all the usual over the weekend and started recovering on Monday. Two days later I started going downhill again, couldn't clear my chest, and started feeling confused. Having had experience with pneumonia with my father, I put two and two together and rang up the surgery for an appointment. They booked me an emergency appointment later the same day. Five minutes later the GP rang and said come over now.
Fifteen minutes after my first call I was sitting in the doctor's room. Half an hour and I was back home with a box of antibiotics.
I think it might depend which receptionist you get. My wife knows the one in our local 'satellite' surgery and if she can get hold of her she will make some effort to fit us in. Any other way is a nightmare - even an appt to see a nurse for bloods can be a month away.About four weeks ago I caught a cold, suffered all the usual over the weekend and started recovering on Monday. Two days later I started going downhill again, couldn't clear my chest, and started feeling confused. Having had experience with pneumonia with my father, I put two and two together and rang up the surgery for an appointment. They booked me an emergency appointment later the same day. Five minutes later the GP rang and said come over now.
Fifteen minutes after my first call I was sitting in the doctor's room. Half an hour and I was back home with a box of antibiotics.
I've used the online system a couple of times in the last year - it's a right faff to answer all the questons, but it produces a call back from a doctor and magically a next day appointment is suddenly possible.
A friend is one of the retiring GPs mentioned in this thread - he says a big problem now is people with complex (I think that means multiple?) health problems. He particularly highlighted diabetes - not long ago it was pretty rare, now huge numbers of people have it, and everything that goes with it.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff