Trying to book an appointment with doctor - not easy!

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When did getting to see a doctor become so hard?

I have just got off the phone with my doctor's surgery, smallish group practice with 4 doctors. Been registered with them for over 20 years, been there less than a dozen times, usually when they call me in for a health check (I'm 61).
I had a bit of a melt down at work yesterday, called in sick this morning. I need some time off to get my head together and consider my options, so I need a sick note. Maybe a referral for some talking therapy.

No appointments available today. Not a problem, as long as I can get a sick note before the end of this week.
Can I book an appointment for tomorrow - "no, you'll have to phone up tomorrow".
What about Wednesday? - "no, you'll have to phone up Wednesday".
Do you do walk-in sessions? - "no, we don't do those"
Is it possible to pre-book at all? - "you can book for Friday afternoon"

I assume that this is down to targets and waiting times, rather than workload? I've been to the practice 3 times in the last 3 months, because the doctor wanted to put me on statins. 1 doctor visit, 2 with the nurse. Each time the waiting room was very quiet.
No wonder so many people end up going to A&E

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wiggy001 said:

Actual doctors are rarer than hens' teeth in my surgery. I'm not convinced there are any there any more. Can usually see a nurse within a week but was told it was a 4 week wait for an actual doctor.

Given that the nurse can assess an issue and issue a prescription, I'm not actually sure why we need doctors? Serious question - what can a doc do at a surgery that a nurse can't?

Last time I went to the surgery it was coincidentally a few hours after my wife had been, and we saw the same nurse.

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...?

I found out from my wife later that day that the nurse's first recommended treatment for her was "to open your heart to God".

I believe my complaint was filed in the waste paper bin though as I never heard anything about it...

Not a fan of my local surgery!

GPs to seem to be pretty pointless a lot of the time. Each time I've been for an actual physical medical issue, doctor has pulled a page on the NHS website or similar to show me. I'd already done that. All I really got out of the visit was a prescription, and the usual "you really should stop smoking" talk.
In fact, you'd think the NHS would be having an easy time of it, given that giving up the fags seems to be the stock cure for everything.

The only reason I need to see a GP is because no-one else can issue a sick note. I don't have a medical problem, it's a mental health issue. My GP doesn't have a clue about mental health. All he can do is sign me off work. I'd go and see the mental health team, but the waiting list is at least a couple of months if I want more than a quick chat on the phone, and they can't give me a sick note anyway.
The only other thing the doc can do is dish out some antidepressants, and I don't want those. When I'm not at work, or due at work the next day, I'm fine.

The real answer, for me, is to pack in the job. I will probably end up doing that, but take some sick pay while I decide. Quite a few colleagues are doing this. Maybe the company will figure it out, and make some changes? Be cheaper for them in the long run to take on a few extra staff, and get some IT that works properly, rather than spending so much on sick pay and overtime to cover sickness.

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WindyCommon said:

If your GP practice has a target wait time of less than 24 hours for doctor's appointments, then not accepting appointments for more than 24 hours out is perfectly logical. It will ensure that the important target for wait times is always met.

What we measure, and how it is measured, matters. Regardless of perverse incentives and outcomes.

This is my understanding of what's at the root of the problem. Rubbish targets which aren't achievable without creating problems for the patient.

Same thing seems to happen when a referral to a specialist or consultant at the hospital is required. Clock starts counting down as soon as they book you an appointment, rather than from the date of the referral, so it takes them weeks to respond, then you are seen within a week. I was referred to an eye specialist by an over-cautious optician. Had to go via the GP. 3 months before I was accepted for an appointment, then they kept phoning me with appointments in the next day or two.