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Trouble with doctors

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Akasha

Akasha

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
This may seem like i'm just being picky, but i'm having trouble with my docs.
Ever time I phone for an apointment, i'm told its a weeks wait for an apointment. They also ask if its an emergency. if it is go to A&E. 😡
When they do offer an apointment its at midday, which is no good for me as a worker.

I'm just getting truely frustrated with them.
I only ever go to the docs if im ill. the problem is for ezcema on my face which i need specific cream for. so i'm not ill enough for A&E or to have time off work for an apt, but really need it sorted within a few days.

Am i being to picky in wanting an apointment before or after work within a few days?!
 
Sounds like you're actually having problems with receptionists, not the doctors (or nurses) at you practice. However, you still need a solution.

So, if one week until an appointment with GP is too far away (and it is!), I'd suggest requesting a telephone consultation with a GP or practice nurse or an appointment with a practice nurse, as often their waits are shorter. Or find out what arrangements surgery has for people who turn up and wait until seen - might be a long wait, and not ideal, but could be the best solution for you, especially if you have a weekday when you don't work and so would have to take time off work.

If none of that works, then ask around local friends / neighbours for information about their GP surgery appointment arrangements and change to a more suitable surgery - assuming, of course, there is more than one in your area.
 
Difficult to say. Our docs only issue appts on the day. You phone up at 8.30 and get offered a slot, or you ring back next day to try again. Or can get a 'sit and wait' if you need to see them urgently.

It isn't really satisfactory to make you wait a week or more but I know some surgeries do struggle.

Not sure what to suggest, other than speak to the practice manager to see what they can offer.

Rob
 
Akasha its the same for me, If I want an appointment its usually a week or more that I have to wait, my last appointment which was Monday was supposed to be for the week before but the computer system was getting updated so had to wait till the 16th, even for my son who is under the same doctor as me has to wait a week or so,its only cause of a cancellation that he is seeing the doc Friday(i made the appointment Tuesday).
I find it frustrating but I guess theres not alot i can do about it, doctors are busy people.
 
Akasha said:
This may seem like i'm just being picky, but i'm having trouble with my docs.
Ever time I phone for an apointment, i'm told its a weeks wait for an apointment. They also ask if its an emergency. if it is go to A&E. 😡
When they do offer an apointment its at midday, which is no good for me as a worker.

I'm just getting truely frustrated with them.
I only ever go to the docs if im ill. the problem is for ezcema on my face which i need specific cream for. so i'm not ill enough for A&E or to have time off work for an apt, but really need it sorted within a few days.

Am i being to picky in wanting an apointment before or after work within a few days?!
Click to expand...

It is the same for me, I either have to miss a days work because of the time or leave work lunch time because they don't accpet I work full time.

Just a sugestion, does your surgery have a nurse practioner? Is it possible to get an appointment with her/him instead of the doctor?

I hope things get sorted.
 
Would it be possible to take time off and see a Dr and get them to add the cream to your repeat so that when you need it in the future you just have to hand the form in. I know this doesn't help in the short term and it could be that your Dr would not want to add it to the repeat.
 
What a pain.
I don't understand why they'd send you to A&E??? It's not that kind of emergency when you ring the GP.
We have the same system as Rob, except I have to ring at 8am on the dot 😱 Last time it took 20 minutes to get through.
I would suggest the same as Margie - ask GP to put it on repeat. It shouldn't be a problem. Fiona has exzema and all her creams and lotions are on repeat (not that she uses her moisturiser😱)
 
Monica said:
What a pain.
I don't understand why they'd send you to A&E??? It's not that kind of emergency when you ring the GP.
We have the same system as Rob, except I have to ring at 8am on the dot 😱 Last time it took 20 minutes to get through.
I would suggest the same as Margie - ask GP to put it on repeat. It shouldn't be a problem. Fiona has exzema and all her creams and lotions are on repeat (not that she uses her moisturiser😱)
Click to expand...

If there are no appointments at our doctors the recpetionists are told send people to A&E. The theory is if you are so ill you can't wait, you'll go to A&E anyway.

I think many doctors have so many patients on their books these days it is difficult to fit everyone in who needs a quick appointment and with so many people working so many different hours it is often difficult to find the right time for everyone. It would be nice if you could see your own GP any time you liked.
 
We have a NHS drop in centre in the town - so when I am in the GP surgery I often overhear the receptionist telling a person to go there instead.
 
I was just going to say the same, is there an NHS drop in centre in your town or near where you work? There is one 15 miles away from us but I understand they are open 24 hours a day, so you can go anytime but just sit and wait, and they can offer prescription items. Worth a thought anyway.

My friend was struggling to see a GP yesterday for something urgent and the receptionist was being damn awkward. Her friend suggested she say "Well if you won't see me I will have to go to A&E" to which apparently the receptionist laughed at her and told her A&E would refuse to see her, or at best she would have a VERY long wait.

In the end the GP did see her late in the day, and yes her problem did require prescription medication. Grrrrr! Sympathies, it can be a mighty pain trying to see a GP.
 
Our practice actually changed their hours and started opening a lot earlier, because working people complained !

So - start complaining to the Practice Manager. Get up a petitioin in the waiting room!
 
trophywench said:
Our practice actually changed their hours and started opening a lot earlier, because working people complained !

So - start complaining to the Practice Manager. Get up a petitioin in the waiting room!
Click to expand...

We have one full time doctor and one part time doctor. Both doctors refuse to start work before 9.30am...
 
Caroline said:
We have one full time doctor and one part time doctor. Both doctors refuse to start work before 9.30am...
Click to expand...

And for this they shall be paid more than fifty grand a year. They do not do out of hours care. Anything they cannot be bothered with they shall send to A&E who will tear their hair out at the laziness of GPs. Here endeth the rant.
 
hubby has found a walk in centre nearish thats open until 8 pm. 7 days per week.
My old docs didn't put the cream on prescription as due to two ingreadient they cannot prescripe it too often. He did however trust my judgement and prescribe it if i put a note on my repeat.
New docs refuse.
New docs do early hours twice a week, late hours once a week. However according to the receptionist at 8 this morning, all docs are booked up. until tues / thurs next week.
 
On occasion, when I've been asked by receptionists if appointments for my daughter are an emergency I've said:

"Well, I'm not sure... she was born with a right sided diaphragmatic hernia, repaired at 4 days, when then removed her appendix and performed a partial lobectomy. She has dextrocardia and reduced lung function.... she's now got a cold, a persistent cough (or whatever symptoms). What do you think, with your extensive medical training? Would you call that an emergency or not?"

The receptionists response is invariably "I've got an appointment at 11 with dr soandso" ...
 
justlikethehotels said:
On occasion, when I've been asked by receptionists if appointments for my daughter are an emergency I've said:

"Well, I'm not sure... she was born with a right sided diaphragmatic hernia, repaired at 4 days, when then removed her appendix and performed a partial lobectomy. She has dextrocardia and reduced lung function.... she's now got a cold, a persistent cough (or whatever symptoms). What do you think, with your extensive medical training? Would you call that an emergency or not?"

The receptionists response is invariably "I've got an appointment at 11 with dr soandso" ...
Click to expand...

:D Nice one :D
 
If its just for a repeat script, I would just 'phone the reception in view of the set up they have there.

It was like that were I am, except worse, 3 weeks wait, so now they have a walk in and wait for 2 hours hours daily, problem now is for routine appointments I waited 4 weeks to see the nurse.
 
I did a triple take there, I read it as Lobotomy .... sorry! :D
 
After my experience over the weekend I am seriously thinking of changing my doctor.

The doctor I saw saturday said 'oh him, you should change doctors and do it soon' when I told her who my doctor is. the tone of voice told me what she thought and confirmed what I already knew about the twit.

I appreciate it is not so easy for everyone to change doctors, but it is something worth looking at.
 
If it is an existing condition, that I may not of needed a prescription for in a while I normally just write them a letter requesting a prescription for what I want. Sometimes they want to see you but often they check your notes and just leave a script out for you.

Always complain in writing (to the Practice Manager) and yes it is easier to just change doctors but what you really need to do is try and change the practice you are at, by complaining and making it better for all.

Doctors receptionists often tend to be total dragons lol but some are truly wonderful x
 
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