Time to change GP Surgery!

JuliaHod12
JuliaHod12 Member Posts: 456
edited 7. Sep 2012, 10:45 in Living with Arthritis archive
Morning all :-)
I hope you are all well.

I've had issues recently getting an appointment to see my GP (its a very small surgery with 2 GPs) I have only stayed with them as I have been with the surgery for about 30yrs!
I phoned yesterday morning and was told the doctors were away on Training and was advised to phone back this morning at 8.30
I phoned this morning and the only doctor who was going to be on duty may not even be able to get in (why i dont know), so i am seeing the nurse practitioner instead........(hoping she can issue a Fit note!)

This really is the very last straw in a stack of time i haven't been able to see someone when i have needed to............its ridiculous and i'm not putting up with it any more!

sorry, rant over!

have a super day

Julia xx

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    My surgery has fourteen doctors and the same thing applies - get your call in early or go without an appointment. :roll: When I was last there the notice board informed us that there were now 17,000 registered patients so I guess it's not that surprising that appointments are difficult to come by. You are allowed to make appointments in advance, but only for two weeks in advance so I think it's time to dust off my crystal ball. :wink: Do you have another surgery in your area you could join? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Helenbothknees
    Helenbothknees Member Posts: 487
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Mine is almost as bad, but at least they have a few 'walk-in' appointments - get there before 8 am and queue, and someone will see you when the surgery opens. I had to do this when I felt ill very soon after my TKR; the receptionist told me, "We could visit you later today, but if you can manage to get down here, come in before 8 and you'll see someone quicker". So, hardly able to walk and feeling feverish, I managed to make it to the surgery (luckily nothing was really wrong). It's not right. Definitely try to change, but try to make sure you're going somewhere better!
  • numptynora
    numptynora Member Posts: 782
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Oh don't you just love these surgeries, mine I'm so glad to say has implemented an on line booking system, at least someone up there is smiling on us, it might be worth asking the receptionist (with a smile!) if they have that service? mine also has an online med repeat system which I always use, it saves time waiting for the apt which is never available when needed.
    Failing all that have you tried complaining to the Doc'? that might work.

    Good luck
    Numps x
    Numps x
    Pets come into our lives, and then leave paw-prints on our hearts.
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    love mine they have appointments and a drop in center also gp will phone you back also on line presc. but not looked at app. they also book hospital app. and check they ok must admit they good val
    val
  • JuliaHod12
    JuliaHod12 Member Posts: 456
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    well there's a surprise......... :o

    I saw a very nice american lady who's a "physician assistant" as apparently her qualifications dont allow her to work in the NHS as a GP

    anyway, back to work next week on 4hrs per day for up to a month, which may be increased or decreased as tolerated by me :-)
    and Tramadol to help me get by at work should i need them

    all in all, happy with the appointment, but will probably still move surgeries....am not convinced they can cope with just 2 docs and no locum when 1 is on holiday! :roll:

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