Doctors appointment woes
Discussion
So after developing a bit of a rash on one side of my face and trying various creams that don't seem to be working I decided that I would get an appointment to see the doctors.
Called this morning to be told the earliest they can get me in is FRIDAY!!! That is with a cancellation hence why I got one so early. WTF! What the hell is this. Is this typical of NHS practices.
Having not been to the doctors in about 15years(I'm only 23 as it is) I can't say I'm very impressed. I could have died in that time frame.
Anyone else have any ridiculous waiting times to see the doc?
Called this morning to be told the earliest they can get me in is FRIDAY!!! That is with a cancellation hence why I got one so early. WTF! What the hell is this. Is this typical of NHS practices.
Having not been to the doctors in about 15years(I'm only 23 as it is) I can't say I'm very impressed. I could have died in that time frame.
Anyone else have any ridiculous waiting times to see the doc?
Ring up and ask to see the triage nurse, if they have one 
My surgery has appointments that become available each day. You have to ring in the morning, but it will get you a stupid phone consultation with a nurse. You describe what is wrong with you and they then decide what level of action is required.
My surgery has appointments that become available each day. You have to ring in the morning, but it will get you a stupid phone consultation with a nurse. You describe what is wrong with you and they then decide what level of action is required.
Jabbah said:
Go to your local NHS drop-in center. You'll have to wait 30 min or so but you'll get to see a GP if you really think you need to see one before Friday.
Is that how those walk in centres actually work, if so then what is the point in the actual GP' offices. They seem too good to be true given my current predicament of at least 4days wait that I am apparently lucky to have got. I guess I'm lucky; I was registered at a small local GP surgery for, well over 30 years and always got an appointment the same day, providing it was the sort of thing you needed to see someone the same day, basically anything that needed antibiotics or a hospital referral. Even though I moved waaay out of the catchment area I stuck with them (they had my folks address) because they'd always been great.
But in the end the OH protested and said we had to be with the same Doctor so I moved to one of these large privately run 'super centres' lots of GP's specialists and nursing practioners and they're brilliant! There are rules to follow if you want to be seen quickly and you don't get a GP as such, but can see any one of 15 or so as above they can refer you to all sort of people, I'm currently being treated for a liver problem I never knew I had.
To the OP, sadly they don't see people based on how much you've used, or misused the service in the past, "but I've not bothered you for 15 years" does little to get you in quicker sadly, go in Friday, they'll move than likely prescribe you some anointment or cream and it'll clear up in a day or two. If it starts looking like a flesh eating think, google for your local out of hours doctor and call them in the evening, you can usually see them in a few hours, they're usually based at a local hospital and you'll be seen by a young (sometimes a little bitter) doc sporting a thousand yard stare.
But in the end the OH protested and said we had to be with the same Doctor so I moved to one of these large privately run 'super centres' lots of GP's specialists and nursing practioners and they're brilliant! There are rules to follow if you want to be seen quickly and you don't get a GP as such, but can see any one of 15 or so as above they can refer you to all sort of people, I'm currently being treated for a liver problem I never knew I had.
To the OP, sadly they don't see people based on how much you've used, or misused the service in the past, "but I've not bothered you for 15 years" does little to get you in quicker sadly, go in Friday, they'll move than likely prescribe you some anointment or cream and it'll clear up in a day or two. If it starts looking like a flesh eating think, google for your local out of hours doctor and call them in the evening, you can usually see them in a few hours, they're usually based at a local hospital and you'll be seen by a young (sometimes a little bitter) doc sporting a thousand yard stare.
Pixel Pusher said:
GP receptionists.
Right up there on the World's Most Helpful People list along with Traffic Wardens, Ryan Air call centre staff and Robert Mugabe.
I've never had a problem with mine. Be polite, firm and as everyone else exaggerates their condition, you need to do the same. And offer alternatives - showing willingness to sit and wait. I have found that calling on behalf of someone else - "she is too sick to come to the phone - she's resting" can help.Right up there on the World's Most Helpful People list along with Traffic Wardens, Ryan Air call centre staff and Robert Mugabe.
My GP use to be AMAZING! Would just walk in and sit down for about 30-60 mins and get seen by my GP any day of the week, then they changed it to appointment only, which made it even better as you would call in in the morning and make a appointment for that day, so you wouldn't even have to wait that long and also they had the best receptionists I had ever met!
Unfortunately due to NHS cut backs it had to close down and join another surgery in the area a few months ago which happens to be awful and you will be lucky to get a appointment for two weeks time! Also seems to be run by the 100 year old witch receptionist that argues with every patient!
Unfortunately due to NHS cut backs it had to close down and join another surgery in the area a few months ago which happens to be awful and you will be lucky to get a appointment for two weeks time! Also seems to be run by the 100 year old witch receptionist that argues with every patient!
Riley Blue said:
I'm surprised the OP didn't demand a home visit for his facial rash.
FF'sS get a grip man!
Erm, I think you have missed my point. I didn't say it was any sort of serious life threatening condition other than my tongue in cheek remark of 'could have died by then' FF'sS get a grip man!
I don't want any sort of preferential treatment, just that I was a bit shocked that I was 'lucky' to only have to wait 4/5 days. I was asking whether that was the norm.
barker22 said:
Riley Blue said:
I'm surprised the OP didn't demand a home visit for his facial rash.
FF'sS get a grip man!
Erm, I think you have missed my point. I didn't say it was any sort of serious life threatening condition other than my tongue in cheek remark of 'could have died by then' FF'sS get a grip man!
I don't want any sort of preferential treatment, just that I was a bit shocked that I was 'lucky' to only have to wait 4/5 days. I was asking whether that was the norm.
IWe're quite fortunate with ours, usually 1-2 day wait whenever I book in myself.
A close relative was/is rather ill, the GP gave us blank book appointments. We'd turn up unannounced and get seen after the current patient, in the circumstances it was a great thing to have. Knowing they were literally round the corner with no appointment issues.
The receptionists are little Hitlers though.
A close relative was/is rather ill, the GP gave us blank book appointments. We'd turn up unannounced and get seen after the current patient, in the circumstances it was a great thing to have. Knowing they were literally round the corner with no appointment issues.
The receptionists are little Hitlers though.
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