How is it where you are? Do you have long telephone queues? Can you get a same day appointment when needed? How long before you get seen for a non-urgent appointment. I bet it varies significatly from one area to another.  |
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It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option. |
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Since the pandemic our GP surgery has implemented an online service and it's marvellous. I can consult a GP, have a call back or email, request repeat prescriptions etc. This service absolutely suits me as I detest the telephone system and know it all receptionists.
Mrs |
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"Are you in a hateful mood today?  "
No, mine are not too bad actually but know lots are struggling. I may be hateful on the other thread I will be doing about hospital appointments and wait for those who post that should have private insurance. Then I might get it out of my system  |
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option. "
Do you still call them receptionis, not rottweilers? |
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I went to my doc few months ago. Died in the waiting room. Just been rotting away behind a copy of Country Life Magazine (August 1993). Surprised no one has noticed the smell. Or that my magazine is so out of date. |
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"I went to my doc few months ago. Died in the waiting room. Just been rotting away behind a copy of Country Life Magazine (August 1993). Surprised no one has noticed the smell. Or that my magazine is so out of date. "
 |
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option. "
If I need a doctor I call 111 as my surgery ( station Plazer ) allocated appointments to 111 so there are less available when you call them direct.
Over Christmas called 111 got a same day appointment not grate but it dose work.. |
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My GP used to have a system pre COVID where you couldn't make an appointment for the next day and you had to ring in the morning for a same day appointment.
Now when I ring I ask for a callback and the doctor rings me within a couple of hours and if she decides I need to go in she gives me a window to be there rather than a specific time.
If she says call between 4.30 and 5 I do that and there might be a couple of others waiting and I'm in and out within that 30 minute window. |
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option.
Do you still call them receptionis, not rottweilers? "
Yeah. They're mostly ok but working with a terrible system. |
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By *luerooMan 3 weeks ago
Bridgwater |
i'm fortunate to have the same doctor as Charles and the rest of the royal family, the doctor rings me first thing in the morning to see if all is well then again after my bedtime cocoa to see if i need anything before bed. |
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"i'm fortunate to have the same doctor as Charles and the rest of the royal family, the doctor rings me first thing in the morning to see if all is well then again after my bedtime cocoa to see if i need anything before bed."
What happens if you trip over a matchstick and cut yourself on a bit if silver paper at lunch time?  |
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I can get a phone or face to face appointment easily. But in my old doc practice they are still only foing phone calls unless its absolutely necessary. Even to the extent of prescribing morphine over the phone and misdiagnosing 2 family members who went on to die of cancer, both younger than 60. |
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By (user no longer on site) 3 weeks ago
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option. "
Exactly the same at my Doctors, phone or online appointments always fully booked even when i get through. I walked in after work and got an appointment no problem |
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option.
Do you still call them receptionis, not rottweilers?
Yeah. They're mostly ok but working with a terrible system. "
Oh not sure really. Their manners is ofte inappropriate imo. Obviously not all of them but some lack empathy for sure. |
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"It's so bad here that we don't even consider calling. If something was really urgent one of us would need to go to the surgery and actually speak to a receptionist. The phone line cuts off at about 4 calls waiting so phoning really isn't an option.
Do you still call them receptionis, not rottweilers?
Yeah. They're mostly ok but working with a terrible system.
Oh not sure really. Their manners is ofte inappropriate imo. Obviously not all of them but some lack empathy for sure. "
We put in a complaint about one at our previous surgery. To be fair we've had so little contact with them that they could be actual rottweilers for all we know  |
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My surgery has implemented an online system between 7-11am I think, that you can send a brief synopsis of why you want to see a doctor. They triage those mails and call you back, offering online, video or physical interactions. Alternatively, you can still ring from 8am. The triage system reduces how many people are trying to ring at 8am. |
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By *usie pTV/TS 3 weeks ago
taunton |
Yes it seems nearly impossible to get an appointment, got to be done online and then it appears they have at least three different systems going, you have to answer a lot of questions then you may have to go and see a nurse practioner then they say you need an appointment to see the doc generally sevral weeks, hopefully by then you will be cured or down the crematorium. |
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Our new docs here is pretty good. Never had a problem getting through on the phone or getting an appointment. We have full access to records via the NHS App and the practice fully utilises digital means of communication but does NOT insist on some crazy online form be filled in to get any kind of appointment.
Contrast with our old docs in an area only 6-7 miles away and it's like chalk and cheese. There, you had to pre plan ill health at least 8wks in advance and there was no way of getting through on the phone without hundreds of redialling attempts and taking half a day off work to achieve that. Unless you got through in the first 15 mins of the day, by 08:15, you had no chance. Then they required everyone to fill in a form that was only live from 07:30-08:00 each morning, to request any kind of appointment but your condition had to neatly fit into drop down boxes/menus and anything the form didn't like would kick you off or tell you to go and get advice from a pharmacy or 111. Which is fine, except diarrhoea for some people on certain medication and with certain medical conditions is serious, whereas for others, it's really not, for example.
I am never moving house ever again, if for no other reason than to stay with this current GP! |
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"A few weeks back I was 30th in the queue at 8.03 am but I still got an urgent appointment that day
Cannot fault my GP and other NHS services "
Can be good when they are. Sadly not consistently everywhere |
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By *inkShyWoman 3 weeks ago
near Windsor |
Use EConsult for a call back/email, and they will either diagnose/prescribed over the phone/from your eform, or book you in.
Call at 8am, may or may not get through but usually get an appointment that day.
I'm on a list for out of hours options so I'll always get an appointment, I'm extremely fortunate. |
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"Our new docs here is pretty good. Never had a problem getting through on the phone or getting an appointment. We have full access to records via the NHS App and the practice fully utilises digital means of communication but does NOT insist on some crazy online form be filled in to get any kind of appointment.
Contrast with our old docs in an area only 6-7 miles away and it's like chalk and cheese. There, you had to pre plan ill health at least 8wks in advance and there was no way of getting through on the phone without hundreds of redialling attempts and taking half a day off work to achieve that. Unless you got through in the first 15 mins of the day, by 08:15, you had no chance. Then they required everyone to fill in a form that was only live from 07:30-08:00 each morning, to request any kind of appointment but your condition had to neatly fit into drop down boxes/menus and anything the form didn't like would kick you off or tell you to go and get advice from a pharmacy or 111. Which is fine, except diarrhoea for some people on certain medication and with certain medical conditions is serious, whereas for others, it's really not, for example.
I am never moving house ever again, if for no other reason than to stay with this current GP!"
Sometimes it is difficult to understand those extremes and contrasting situations. When someone needs a doctor, last thing they want to do is fill silly online forms and ofcourse some peoold don't have access to tbat either |
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"Use EConsult for a call back/email, and they will either diagnose/prescribed over the phone/from your eform, or book you in.
Call at 8am, may or may not get through but usually get an appointment that day.
I'm on a list for out of hours options so I'll always get an appointment, I'm extremely fortunate."
 |
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My GP is very hit & miss
I think access to services in general has degraded overall though
As an example...
I have something on the base of my foot
I don't think it's anything major but it isn't getting any better
My GP doesn't look at feet apparently
No nurses available for 4-6 weeks
No podiatry service linked to the GP
Advised to go to the central hub
Went to central hub
Given a piece of paper
Told to fill in, scan and email it to a central booking centre
They will then email an appointment within the next 6-8 months
Rang GP to see if diabetic nurse would refer
Advised she can only do what I've already done
So, I'll probably end up going to a private podiatry clinic |
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Ours is all done online. If you call you get told to go online. Opens at 8, by 8:15 it's generally full and you have to wait until the following day to try again. If you get a request in, its not so bad but they can take 48 hours to look at a request and decide how urgent it is. I go through 111 if I'm desperate as they always have an appointment available. |
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"My GP is very hit & miss
I think access to services in general has degraded overall though
As an example...
I have something on the base of my foot
I don't think it's anything major but it isn't getting any better
My GP doesn't look at feet apparently
No nurses available for 4-6 weeks
No podiatry service linked to the GP
Advised to go to the central hub
Went to central hub
Given a piece of paper
Told to fill in, scan and email it to a central booking centre
They will then email an appointment within the next 6-8 months
Rang GP to see if diabetic nurse would refer
Advised she can only do what I've already done
So, I'll probably end up going to a private podiatry clinic "
Doesn't sound good, does it? Hope you get sorted |
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"Ours is all done online. If you call you get told to go online. Opens at 8, by 8:15 it's generally full and you have to wait until the following day to try again. If you get a request in, its not so bad but they can take 48 hours to look at a request and decide how urgent it is. I go through 111 if I'm desperate as they always have an appointment available. "
Not good. Certainly l8ts of people can't ro online stuff either |
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