G P Appointments

[nailit]

Why is it getting harder to get a GP appointment?
Ive posted before about trying to get an appointment to see my doctor but now its even worse.
At my surgery we used to have to ring up at 8 and see if there were any appointments left for that day. Now its changed to ring up at 10 and see if there are any appointments for the following week. Been ringing for 4 days now and cant get an appointment, got to try again on Monday. Got told today that there is always the walk in centre (where the waiting time is usually 2+ hours) I asked why I should go to the walk in centre when I have a GP and I feel that its my own GP that I need to see anyway.

Anybody else having this happen to them with their surgery?
Thanks.

[Rockrose]

//Anybody else having this happen to them with their surgery? //
No, I can normally get one within 24 hours earlier if an emergency, rarely I have waited 72.

[Patsy33]

So frustrating for you and everyone else. I despair.....

[maggiebee]

In the past I never had a problem getting a GP appointment but that has changed recently. Think one of the reasons is that at least 3 GP practices have closed in Dundee and existing ones are taking up the slack.

[ummmm]

No. My doctors surgery is pretty good. As long as you're willing to share your issues with the receptionist. I've made hospital appointment with my GP over the phone.

[marval]

We still have the phone up at 8 and hope. We might be lucky, or told to go at 11 and see the emergency doctors.

[nailit]

Also got asked today by the receptionist what the problem was. I didn't want to discuss it with her as its between myself and my GP. She asked if it was anything serious to which I replied ''I don't know. Thats why I want to see a doctor''.

[mallyh]

if it's an emergency we can normally be seen the same day but I do object to telling receptionist the problem as they are not medically trained .

[Rockrose]

The receptionist will often ask why my issue is - she will then say if its counts as an emergency or a regular appointment.
I don't have an issue with that.

[nailit]

//but I do object to telling receptionist the problem as they are not medically trained//

So do I Mally. Since when have pen pushers been medics? Its particularly difficult if its an emmberrising situation.

[Rockrose]

But they are not pretending to be medics - they are just trying to get as many people seen as possible.

[nailit]

//they are just trying to get as many people seen as possible//
Not in my surgery they arnt. Even when you COULD get an appointment, it was nearly always empty when you got there.

[jno]

it varies from one surgery to another (not to mention one region to another). It'll get better or worse as they take on new patients... or old ones die of neglect :-(

[nailit]

Your medical condition has NOTHING to do with the receptionists anyway. They are there to book an appointment. NOT to decide if its urgent or not!

[Voltage]

just started at a new surgery after moving ..im diabetic they couldn't have been more helpful ...early days i know but appointments don't seem a problem here....yet!

[nailit]

Good luck with ur surgery Volty. Mine started off great and then over the years became the debacle it is now.

[Rockrose]

You seem angry? Could that be one of the issues why you cannot get an appointment?

[ummmm]

Nailit...tell the receptionist whats wrong. He/she will appoint the best doctor.

[nailit]

//You seem angry? Could that be one of the issues why you cannot get an appointment?//

*FACEPALM*

[Mamyalynne]

My Surgery is pretty good really, they mainly send for me as I am awful at going in - have no problem outlining an issue to a receptionist in order to be seen promptly.

[Voltage]

cheers nailit...one of the things we will miss is our old doctors never had to wait for more than 48 hours for an appointment..plus the receptionist was brilliant at her job ( a friend of ours) for over 15 years