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Docotors appointments for things in general

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C

Caroline

Senior Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Having tried recently to get a docotors appointment and being told I have to wait for up to two weeks, I just wondered how long everyone else has to wait to see a doctor for important but non urgent appointments?

Also tried to get an appointment for little feller because he had conjunctivitus but was told we had to see nurse instead.

Also how many of you who have to wait an excessively long time (more than 48 hours) live in the borough of Greenwich?
 
depends I can get one within around a week usually. I've started seeing a different Gp as she has more avaliable appointments. I can make an appointment up to about 3 weeks in advance.

Seeing the triage nurse is always a good way in, if your problem is serious you will get to see the Dr
 
I just always say it is an emergency - my GP receptionists advised me to do it if I want an on-the-day appointment. Otherwise I have to wait weeks. But those appointments are during work hours - we are short staffed and I have had 2 appointments recently so I went in last week and tried to get an appointment outside work hours - the first one was in May!
 
Same day apts, can also book up to 3 mths in advance. I can also book on line if I want too.
 
If i want to see my usal doctor can be a week or two as he is popular, though can book a few months in advance. If it is an emergency I dont mind seeing the practise nurses mine will get the doctor involved if necessary.
My Asthma nurse seems to have longer waits than the diabetic Nurse or doctor.
 
There are several doctors at my practice, but one in particular that I prefer to see. To get an appointment with her I usually have to book it a couple of weeks in advance. If it's an emergency or can't wait that long I can usually get an appointment with one of the doctors in 48 hours - but I have to be quick off the mark as you have to ring first thing before all appointments have gone. Failing that, they operate an 'open house' where you just go along without an appointment and wait for the next available doctor - usually a wait of 1-2 hours in a crowded waiting room.
 
ive been lucky and not had to visit the doctors for anything recently. Am still under the hospital for my diabetes appointments. However i have had reason to call my gp a couple of times for advice and he has always called me back and been really helpful, (in early days of diagnosis, re dosage etc) 🙂
 
Thanks everyone, it's not good having to wait so long to see a doctor, but I feel less picked on now I know it is across the country...
 
I can usually get an appointment within a week. And if you ring before ten you can get an appointment the same day. But I can't book more than two weeks in advance, which is a pain. I'm not complaining though - I'm very lucky!
 
Basically, each surgery runs its appointment system as it chooses, within certain confines such as emergencies must be seen within a set period. However, this can be less than helpful for those who wish to book appoitments more than a week or two hence eg to fit in with school holidays or days off work. I don't think that long waiting times or communication methods are designed to keep named individuals away from appointments, just that they happen somethimes.

There are problems in that the phones tend to be busy with callers trying to make appointments first thing in the morning, so that those trying to cancel un-needed appointments tend to try once or twice, then give up, while those wanting apppointments are more determined and keep hanging on. Where surgeries offer email addresses, these can help both patients and surgery staff - so worth suggesting if your surgery doesn't already publicise an email adress. For repeat prescriptions, I find the system of dropping off a form with stamped addressed envelope works well, as I prefer to check the prescription before it goes to the chemist, but some repeat prescription schemes that go straight from sugery to chemist are very good. Anyway, it keeps me off the phone or needing to visit in person.
 
I can usually get an appointment the same day if I need it, may mean some waiting though.
If I want to see a specific doctor then it's usually a week to ten days.
I think I'm quite fortunate though as my surgery is relatively new and is very well staffed but doesn't have as many patients as it could take.
 
grovesy said:
My surgery have a text facility for cancelling appointments.
Click to expand...

He he! My DSNs have a text-reminder system so you don't miss appointments. Only problem is that my phone is so ancient that it just says <data>, which is not very helpful! I think that it is due to them not sending messages as plain text, and my phone will only handle that (as far as I know!).
 
I normally have to book a week in advance as my doctor only works 2 days a week. The surgery has times set aside for emergencies, but you have to ring very early and often can't get through.
 
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