Emergency appointments only at the doctor's
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Why is it that the only way you can get an appointment with a doctor these days is to declare an emergency? I called into our local doctors surgery this morning on behalf of my wife as she was suffering and finding it very difficult to breathe. This was probably attributable to a very heavy chest cold she had recently which caused her to cough regularly and emit phlegm. The time was 9am and that was the time that the surgery commenced making appointments for the day. We were told shortly after that time that due to a high demand and a lack of doctors, no more appointments could be made this morning and to ring back at 12.30pm. When I returned again at that time, I was told that no more appointments could be made for the day unless it was an emergency, and that I would be best try the following morning. |
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This begged the question would my wife actually be seen tomorrow or would I have to play the same silly game the next day as well. The receptionist gave no guarantees, just a 'come back tomorrow'. Whilst not being a qualified practitioner, but expecting that her ailment was not thought to be "life threatening", I realised it was probably going to be necessary to lie and say, "In that case it is an EMERGENCY." in order to have my wife examined by a doctor. Laypeople aren't qualified to make an informed medical diagnosis... |
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Realising my annoyance the receptionist then agreed to make an appointment for this afternoon and asked "Why it was an "emergency?" The curt reply I gave her was something along the lines of 'Laypeople aren't qualified to make an informed medical diagnosis, but we come to these places hoping to see a doctor who presumably is!' Honestly, all this fuss just to get a doctor's appointment after subscribing to the NHS for over 45 years!!! By: Pat Hawkins |
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Comments from visitors
because you are an idiot, and unfortunately idiots like you are breeding at a fast rate of knots due to the overally good access you now get to healthcare (which it would seem is mainly used and abused by the very people who dont even work or contribute to its cost in the first place, but still think it ok to complain about) which leads to yet more idiots taking all the emergency appointments for pointless things. This common idiosy trend means people with REAL need can not get to see a GP when they really need to.
Carrot. in response to why should they pay twice: Because the majority of people using it dont pay in the first place. Whenever i need an appointment i cant get one because all the doledossers that know the system have already booked all the appointments with their "im depressed, i have such a hardlife sat on my bum receiving benefits at everyone elses expense while i sit watching Jeremy Kyle drinking my superstrength lager and smoking fags blah blah blah" my heart bleeds.. not.
I'd gladly pay £20 to see my GP so long as their is no concession for the scum that dont contribute to the NHS already. People wouldnt waste thousands of appointments because they do not have the decency to cancel unwanted appointments if they had to pay and they wouldnt grab all the appointments all the time leaving none for those of us that actually PAY towards a system we cant use.
Carrot. in response to why should they pay twice: Because the majority of people using it dont pay in the first place. Whenever i need an appointment i cant get one because all the doledossers that know the system have already booked all the appointments with their "im depressed, i have such a hardlife sat on my bum receiving benefits at everyone elses expense while i sit watching Jeremy Kyle drinking my superstrength lager and smoking fags blah blah blah" my heart bleeds.. not.
I'd gladly pay £20 to see my GP so long as their is no concession for the scum that dont contribute to the NHS already. People wouldnt waste thousands of appointments because they do not have the decency to cancel unwanted appointments if they had to pay and they wouldnt grab all the appointments all the time leaving none for those of us that actually PAY towards a system we cant use.
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tellithowitis - 7-Dec-11 15:01
I have capped the receptionists triaging me, last time I was asked why I wanted to see a Dr I said it was personal, she insisted on knowing so I announced that (and I quote) "I gotta really smelly green gunge coming from down there, it's minging it is, itches like mad too - awful blisters n'all feel like I've wet me'sel' when they burst!" I said this over the phone, but I wish I'd seen her face! She can't have put anything on my notes because when I did see the Dr I he asked me what the problem was - ear infection! he never mentioned any green gunge :-)
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I'm sick of my Dr's receptionists attempts to 'triage' me, or my clients. I work with vulnerable people and am often required to call a Dr for them. Most are housebound and therefore the Dr visits us, however the receptionists seem to forget all about the issues of confidentiality that I face. The receptionist always asks what's wrong with the patient, why they need a Dr to visit. I'm actually not allowed to tell them, as a third party to tell the receptionist what the patients ailment is is considered breaking confidentiality but they won't put that patient down unless I give them a whole list of symptoms and problems. I once called for a Dr because a client of mine was suffering from indigestion and heartburn which was affecting their ability to and their enjoyment of, eating. The receptionist when told these symptoms decided that as sometimes a heart attack can be disguised as indigestion I should call an ambulance! I tried to explain that this was limited to meal times, had started slowly around 14 days ago and increased in severity, that home remedies gave some relief for a short time and that the patient had a regular heartbeat and stable blood pressure (I had checked these as a matter of course) Still she insisted and she called the ambulance. The paramedics were not impressed to be called to a bad case of heartburn! The Dr later called and prescribed a POM (prescription only medication) for gastro disturbances such as severe excess acid and the like - problem solved! How much money was wasted and how many lives put at risk by sending a blue light ambulance to a case that clearly didn't need it?
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Joe Lomond , many people could not afford either to pay for a GP appointment or to pay for private insurance. The NHS is already funded by National Insurance contributions, why should people pay twice?
Before the NHS existed and people had to pay for every appointment, many low paid people died of diseases that were curable because they could not afford to pay. This still happens in other countries.
As for the death rate being lower in other countries, I thought the death rate was 100% everywhere!
Before the NHS existed and people had to pay for every appointment, many low paid people died of diseases that were curable because they could not afford to pay. This still happens in other countries.
As for the death rate being lower in other countries, I thought the death rate was 100% everywhere!
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About time people paid to see their GP - a flat rate of approx £10-£20 would probably be about right. Currently an appointment currently costs the NHS aboyt £60 so people would only be paying less than a 3rd. This would ensure only people who needed to really see a doctor would attend and also allow people to choose a time and day that suited!
And before everyone says "What about poor people?" - they should purchase insurance cover for this - death rates in other countries isnt higher because everyone has to pay - in fact their death rates are lower than in the UK!
And before everyone says "What about poor people?" - they should purchase insurance cover for this - death rates in other countries isnt higher because everyone has to pay - in fact their death rates are lower than in the UK!
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Why don't you do something sensible, like ask to speak to the practice manager about the problem, or write a letter? That way, it will highlight the problem and maybe something will get done. Moaning on an internet forum is a waste of time, although it's a lot easier and means you don't have to get involved. Oh, and why not engage brain and ask yourself "Do I really need to see a doctor?" Access to free health care is now seen as a right, not a privilege, and as a result, no-one botheres to consider whether their condition is minor and self-linmiting, or try to treat it themselves with advice from a pharmacist - it's just "I've got a problem, I'll demand that someone else sorts it out". As for the advice about the rash in the groin - irresponsible not to get it seen to straight away? What sort of brainless advice is that? It's a rash, not a heart attack!
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Voice of unreason - 10-Feb-11 10:36
I can only make an appointment to see my doctor on the day I want it. I have to ring when the health centre opens at 8.30 am, and continue dialing untill I no longer get the `all our lines are busy` message, by which time it is often close to 9 am, and I am told they are sorry but all the appointments are taken. What a wonderful systen that is.
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Why is it so difficult to get a doctor's appointment in a reasonable time!? I understand it's not like it used to be where you could ring up and more than likely get an appointment either that day or the next but now days you need to know weeks in advance when you are going to be ill!
I recently had to take my son and as this is a short term but ongoing for a couple of months I was informed he was to be seen every 2 weeks, fine but when trying to make an appointment while I was still in the surgery the next available appointment was ten weeks later, I explained what I had been told by the doctor and the reply...Sorry it's all booked up until then you could try ringing nearer the time. Well lets hope someone doesn't have to die first just to make a space! I could understand it if there was only the one doctor at my practice but as there is seven!
I recently had to take my son and as this is a short term but ongoing for a couple of months I was informed he was to be seen every 2 weeks, fine but when trying to make an appointment while I was still in the surgery the next available appointment was ten weeks later, I explained what I had been told by the doctor and the reply...Sorry it's all booked up until then you could try ringing nearer the time. Well lets hope someone doesn't have to die first just to make a space! I could understand it if there was only the one doctor at my practice but as there is seven!
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It's ridiculous having to ring at a certain time on the day for an appointment. Every-one else is trying to do the same and you can't get through. I decided the only way was to arrive at the surgery at the time I was told to ring so as to bypass the phone, made an appointment for the same day and came back later, but this is a farce. They should return to the old system of emergency appointments on the same day and being able to book an non urgent appointment in advance. Who's stupid idea was this?
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Another bad day with a doctor's receptionist today. I rang up yesterday to find out the results of a blood test I had done last week. The same test I've had done many times before, with the results given over the phone. The receptionist simply said that she had the results but couldn't tell me what they were over the phone because she wasn't qualified to interpret them. I told her to give me the figures as I could interpret them well enough, but she wouldn't. She then booked me in for an appointment to see the doctor next week. Before I rang off I infomed her that I would ring tomorrow (now today) to speak to someone that was qualified to get the result figures. So I did that. I phone today. I waited ages for the manager to speak to my doctor and he came back and repeated what the receptionist said to me yesterday: he wouldn't give me the results over the phone. I asked if he was qualified and he said 'yes' but still couldn't tell me. He then informed that a letter had gone out to me asking me to book an appointment - something I did yesterday. I haven't received this letter. This caused me a great deal of concern because I usually do get my blood test result over the phone and this time not. So I was very worried in case they'd picked up something very serious. Cancer or something. The manager did say that it was nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, I feel angry that I have to wait and see a doctor if it is not serious. It just wastes a lot of my time and the doctor's time.
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Had a similar experience today. Told must ring tomorrow morning - according to receptionist they are "following government guidelines". Tosh. Plus even though admittedly not an emergency so would be happy to get an appointment in a few days, can't do that either.
So - in the interests of "efficiency":
1. I have to make multiple calls in the hope that I might win the lottery - ie get an appointment.
2. Organise my workload around getting one with a few hours notice.
3. The receptionist has to take two or more calls from me when one would have been enough.
If it happened elsewhere we would say it's a third world service. Trouble is it's costing us a developed world budget.
So - in the interests of "efficiency":
1. I have to make multiple calls in the hope that I might win the lottery - ie get an appointment.
2. Organise my workload around getting one with a few hours notice.
3. The receptionist has to take two or more calls from me when one would have been enough.
If it happened elsewhere we would say it's a third world service. Trouble is it's costing us a developed world budget.
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Mike Kearney - 14-Jun-10 10:36
Im fully aware about the lack of funding in the NHS blah blah blah. Yet I am sure the reception staff at my lcal surgery are trained to be ultra obtuse
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its just awful - 25-May-10 01:36
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to book an appointment in advance. My wife is having the same issue. Every morning she rings. every morning no appointments available try again tomorrow. In the end at a time when they are replacing the 'sick note' with the 'fit note' she is going to have to take the day off work to go and sit in the surgery and wait to see a doctor under the surgeries 'One ailment per customer policy'. What a complete farce.
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What is it with some doctor’s receptionists? Some are fine and nice but sometimes you get one that is always rude, abrupt, and after trying on their amateur medical diagnoses which they aren’t qualified to provide, they can’t wait to get rid of you.
Who has been told:
“we’re busy today, call back tomorrow or another day at 8am” (not thinking that the medication a person may be on, causes them sleepiness and would always be at a disadvantage if they had to be awake using the repeat dial button when the phone is always engaged soon after 8am).
“There are no appointments today, try again later in the week”. But when you persist a little more and the receptionist, still on the phone to you and therefore cannot be aware of any cancellations that would come through to her, says “oh, there’s a cancellation "just this minute" occurred, you can see the doctor at 3.20pm” And when you go to the doctors, you sit in the empty waiting room waiting your turn.
Receptionist’s amateur medical interpretations of results, which are taken out of context and not considered alongside relevant medical history which a decision would have been different had it been made by a doctor with that medical knowledge and history.
Who has been told:
“we’re busy today, call back tomorrow or another day at 8am” (not thinking that the medication a person may be on, causes them sleepiness and would always be at a disadvantage if they had to be awake using the repeat dial button when the phone is always engaged soon after 8am).
“There are no appointments today, try again later in the week”. But when you persist a little more and the receptionist, still on the phone to you and therefore cannot be aware of any cancellations that would come through to her, says “oh, there’s a cancellation "just this minute" occurred, you can see the doctor at 3.20pm” And when you go to the doctors, you sit in the empty waiting room waiting your turn.
Receptionist’s amateur medical interpretations of results, which are taken out of context and not considered alongside relevant medical history which a decision would have been different had it been made by a doctor with that medical knowledge and history.
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It takes approximately three weeks to see a doctor at my local surgery !
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@Sandra W.
Sandra, your husband is a fool. I would hate to think what the rash turned out to be, and where he caught it but it is so irresponsible of him not to get it sorted out straight away.
Sandra, your husband is a fool. I would hate to think what the rash turned out to be, and where he caught it but it is so irresponsible of him not to get it sorted out straight away.
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Chesty Cough. You should be ashamed of yourself! You could be taking the place of somebody who is genuinely ill by lying and cheating. If you had a shred of decency you would wait your turn - my husband had to wait three weeks to see a Doctor about a rash on his groin, but you didn't hear him moaning and lying.
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I had a nasty experience last year with my 8 week old daughter... She had been diagnosed with a chest infection a week earlier, and the medication she received was not helping. I phoned the doctors at 8.00 in the morning, to be told she couldn't see a doctor as all the appointments were taken... #i could see a nurse who might be able to help but they couldn't be sure. By then my baby was wheezing and her lips were blue, you could hear her chest crackling as she breathed... I raced to the docs, (where we live, an ambulance would have taken 20 mins, and the docs was nearer) to be seen by a nurse who couldn't prescribe the medication she needed, and had to call a doctor in anyway. I was told my baby needed immediate respiratory help in a hospital by the nurse... I was obviously very upset, and then the doctor denied this and prescribed a drug that treats serious asthma attacks. Eventually all was ok, but the worry and the timewasting at the doctors surgery could have been prevented if my daughter was allocated an appropriate appointment with the correct person. The system still hasn't changed... I hope it will.
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Further to my comment below, I never feel obliged to explain the nature of my condition to the Receptionist. If they try to ask me what's wrong, I simply say that it's a private matter between me and the Doctor so what time is available. Don't let these people stand in the way of a service which you pay well for.
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Chesty Cough - 26-Feb-10 23:52
I rarely go the Doctors so when I do, it's for something that I'm a bit worried about. I have no problem at all telling the Receptionist that it is an emergency to get an appointment that day. The whole process of getting an appointment is so ludicrous that I feel no guilt whatsoever in declaring my need of the utmost urgency. Strangely enough, when I turn up for the appointment, nobody else there seem particularly unwell and my Doctor always says that I was right to come in.
Doctors' Receptionists are part of the problem, not the solution so take my advice and lie to get past them. Nobody will think any the worse of you for it.
Doctors' Receptionists are part of the problem, not the solution so take my advice and lie to get past them. Nobody will think any the worse of you for it.
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