Anyone seen a GP lately ?

Ronnietheghost

Our pre Covid cuddly GP practice has now gradually turned into a fortress , manned by an army of “receptionists “ who sole purpose is to stop annoying needy patients, from getting a face to face appointment with a GP.
Should anyone seek medical advise , you have to ring between 8am - 11am to get a econsult form to complete. These are limited and should you ring later you will have to try again the next day.
If you’re lucky enough to get a slot you then need to complete this ridiculous form, where you are required to submit your reasons for having the temerity to request help.
This form consists of a long list of possible illnesses requiring a yes no answer,  and then almost at the end you are quizzed on how much you drink and smoke .
Once completed , which takes over 10 minutes you are allowed to submit the econsult form, and  this should get you  on the list for a triage nurse/doctor for a call back within 48 hours. 

So you wait clutching your phone for 2 days pertrified in case they ring , and you’ve have died and missed the call. They cannot guarantee a call back .

So my recent experience was that after the allotted 48 hours had passed , guess what ? I did not get a call back. 

So I actually went to down to the surgery , just to ask who would be ringing me?  big mistake on my part as it turned out 

A mature lady receptionist , who I think was just a lance corporal , responded to me by throwing her arms up in the air shouting  “ How should I know?” taken aback , I asked if this was the doctors surgery ?
This conversation took its inevitable downward spiral as she clearly had no intention of helping me . So much so that she eventually jumped up and said” I have had enough of this”  and left the desk, saying she had had a day of it and was leaving.

Another more senior receptionist took over reluctantly ,  and then told me to speak to my doctor if I was unhappy "….. if only that was possible I replied.

The surgery was deserted apart from an equally unhappy lady with a small child and this was at 6.00pm.  She joined in my frustration calling out words borne from similar experience.. like,  this is shite here and it’s all useless etc 
I went down the corridor where the doctors rooms were , calling out “ is there a doctor in the house “ ,  but alas there was none …. a day or two at A&E probably looms .









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paulbaconsarnie

Ronnietheghost said:

Our pre Covid cuddly GP practice has now gradually turned into a fortress , manned by an army of “receptionists “ who sole purpose is to stop annoying needy patients, from getting a face to face appointment with a GP.
Should anyone seek medical advise , you have to ring between 8am - 11am to get a econsult form to complete. These are limited and should you ring later you will have to try again the next day.
If you’re lucky enough to get a slot you then need to complete this ridiculous form, where you are required to submit your reasons for having the temerity to request help.
This form consists of a long list of possible illnesses requiring a yes no answer,  and then almost at the end you are quizzed on how much you drink and smoke .
Once completed , which takes over 10 minutes you are allowed to submit the econsult form, and  this should get you  on the list for a triage nurse/doctor for a call back within 48 hours. 

So you wait clutching your phone for 2 days pertrified in case they ring , and you’ve have died and missed the call. They cannot guarantee a call back .

So my recent experience was that after the allotted 48 hours had passed , guess what ? I did not get a call back. 

So I actually went to down to the surgery , just to ask who would be ringing me?  big mistake on my part as it turned out 

A mature lady receptionist , who I think was just a lance corporal , responded to me by throwing her arms up in the air shouting  “ How should I know?” taken aback , I asked if this was the doctors surgery ?
This conversation took its inevitable downward spiral as she clearly had no intention of helping me . So much so that she eventually jumped up and said” I have had enough of this”  and left the desk, saying she had had a day of it and was leaving.

Another more senior receptionist took over reluctantly ,  and then told me to speak to my doctor if I was unhappy "….. if only that was possible I replied.

The surgery was deserted apart from an equally unhappy lady with a small child and this was at 6.00pm.  She joined in my frustration calling out words borne from similar experience.. like,  this is shite here and it’s all useless etc 
I went down the corridor where the doctors rooms were , calling out “ is there a doctor in the house “ ,  but alas there was none …. a day or two at A&E probably looms .









.

I assumed by your username it’s too late anyhow.

se9addick

It’s crazy, and this is why A&E gets overrun because the only way to actually see a medical professional is to rock up there and wait the 8,000 hours (or whatever it is currently). 

I thought it was just my GP surgery who have receptionists who seem to actively not want to help people see their GP, which seems like a strange profession for them to go into.

Thankfully my work provides a really good private medical insurance scheme with online GP’s. I can see a GP anytime of the day within 15 minutes of requesting a consultation, they can get me a referral and I can speak to a specialist (online) straight away and within a couple of days I’m being treated. I don’t expect the NHS to be at that level, but it should be so much better than it is for the money we pay.  

Fanny Fanackapan

You MUST live in Wadhurst, Ronnie ! 

Haven't the energy to post our issues locally on here but will gird my substantial loins & do so in a day or so. 

And don't get me started on 111.....

rananegra

I saw one 2 weeks ago. I did the online form which took a couple of minutes and they made me an appointment for 3days later. It's changed over the last year or so because the NHS has asked GPs to triage patients and it took a bit of getting used to, but frankly it's loads better as the forms are seen by doctors and triaged. My daughter had a similar experience after being ignored and never getting through on the phone. The follow on steps for both of us weren't as straightforward, but it wasn't the GP blocking anything.

guinnessaddick

Haven’t seen a doctor in years, the other week, I had a chest infection (still lingering) Mrs GA phoned the docs, they would phone be back in an hour or so. He phoned and spoke to me, prescribed antibiotics and said I could collect them an hour later from my local pharmacy. It worked for me, but not sure how they can do their job properly without having patients in front of them.

Pedro45

I had a problem in early October. Did the econsult form; got a call back from the doctor two weeks later. She agrees to see me (as the problem had persisted) and the receptionist calls me with an appointment two weeks further along (mid-November). When I see the doc, she asks me what I want, so I tell her, and she refers me. I have an MRI a week later. I'm told to call the doc in two weeks to get the results. After two weeks I call the doc, but the receptionist says nothing has come through yet. She agrees to me getting a call from the doc, which is for tomorrow. I then get a call from the hospital with the MRI result and have a follow up (also) tomorrow at the hospital. I don't know if the doc will also call me...

It's taken 11 weeks to get this far - where I know what's wrong, and we can now plan the way forward - but other than refer me, the doc has done very little.

LargeAddick

I saw a GP just yesterday   .... she lives three doors away from us.

lolwray

It seems to me that if you are in a more densely populated area you have issues seeing a GP .I have no problem, I live a couple of miles down the road from @LargeAddick in rural east Sussex ,having lived in Sidcup and Chislehurst previously ( even 6 years ago it really wasn't worth the bother calling them) 
It's an absolute disgrace that people can't see a doctor when they need to 

bobmunro

Postcode Lottery in action.

Our General Practice in our village are nothing short of superb - invariably same day appointments, brilliant doctors, nurses, receptionists and pharmacists. Nothing is too much trouble and they care. An example earlier this year - I had a bit of a scare, same day GP appointment, urgent referral, saw a consultant in 3 days, biopsy done same day, MRI 3 days later, results back a week later with the all clear - nothing sinister. The GP said to me, "with your family history it would be unfathomable for you to now have a problem, so I'm putting an urgent referral just to be on the safe side and to avoid as much stress for you as possible". 

Remarkable care and one of the (many) reasons why we have no intention of ever moving from where we are now.

peterreeves

Ronnie, its similar here in Hythe Kent.

The Receptionist and staff are the equivalent of the Wall in GOT, ye shall not pass as we don't want your mucky germs in our nice clean surgery. 

Its e consults only at 8am on the dot, and a few weeks ago I spent 10 mins completing it along with a picture of a rash which was shingles only then to find out because I'd answered one question honestly (should have lied!) that my form could not be accepted and i should ring the surgery at 8.30am!

By this time my blood pressure was boiling and that got worse when all the world and his mate were ringing at 8.30am. I finally got through only to meet Attilla the Hun on the other end who insisted on me completing another econsult over the bloody phone! 

By this time I'd actually forgotten why I was ringing, it was infuriating. 

I never saw a GP, only a phone call but when my wife went to the surgery to collect my prescription she said the car park was full but guess what... There was not one person in the waiting room! All the cars belonged to the staff. 

I'd rather pay to see a Doctor and not get this dreadful service. 

I think GP really means Generally Pointless! 

Rizzo

I had what I knew to be a chest infection this time last year. I went into the surgery and made the mistake of asking the doctor's receptionist if there was any chance of seeing a doctor. After they'd all picked themselves up off the floor where they'd collapsed from laughter, I was told to ring the following morning, which I did. This resulted in me getting a telephone consult 2 weeks later, at which point they told me they'd need to listen to my chest, which I knew before I'd even been into the surgery. They arranged a face-to-face appointment for another 2 weeks later at which stage they agreed I had a chest infection but it was probably viral (not sure how they tell that from a stethoscope) and therefore no point in prescribing antibiotics but to get back in touch if it didn't improve. As I'd been coughing my lungs up for well over a month at that point I insisted that I couldn't wait another month before getting any treatment and finally got them to prescribe some antibiotics 'just in case'. Needless to say I took them immediately and the infection cleared up.

I've been into the surgery on many occasions since then, picking up forms, urine sample bottles etc. Do you know what I haven't seen (other than a doctor)? Patients. Whatever time of the day I go into the surgery, there's never anyone in the waiting room. And yet, it's impossible to get an appointment in less than several weeks. Absolute disgrace!

PrincessFiona

I don't know how the elderly and/or some disabled people cope with this.
I read about a 90 year old who not unsurprisingly had a challenge with online nature of all this and was told he could go to the surgery to collect a form. So he had to get a taxi to and from the surgery just to get and complete the feckin form to request to see a doctor, which assuming (and hoping) he got the required appointment, he'd have to go back to the surgery again.

And it could get worse at surgeries that aren't exempt from the NI hike 

Covered End

Similar story at my Bromley GP as per the original post.
The only difference is I don't need to ring to complete an e consult.
The e consult is available online.
It takes about 20 mins to complete with ridiculously irrelevant questions.
Eg you have a bad toe and it will ask if you have chest pains etc.
They aim to get back to you within 48 working hours but there's only a 50/50 chance of that happening.
They really don't want to SEE you and if I'm ever up there 3 monthly to collect a blood test form there are never any patients waiting.

NB This may be of use as son went down with tonsillitis, went to pharmacy and was prescribed penicillin (would have been lucky to get that via GP before Xmas).

AI Overview

Learn more

Yes, community pharmacists in England can prescribe antibiotics in certain circumstances: 

• Pharmacy First

  The Pharmacy First scheme allows pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions without a GP appointment or prescription. These conditions include: 
  • Sinusitis 

Sore throat Earache Infected insect bite 

Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection) 

Shingles 

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women 

See and treat service

Some pharmacies offer a see and treat service for patients over the age of six with sore throats. Pharmacists can offer antibiotics directly if a swab test determines the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection. 

Antibiotics are not usually available over the counter in the UK, with a few exceptions for topical creams or ointments for minor skin infections.

LargeAddick

lolwray said:

It seems to me that if you are in a more densely populated area you have issues seeing a GP .I have no problem, I live a couple of miles down the road from @LargeAddick in rural east Sussex ,having lived in Sidcup and Chislehurst previously ( even 6 years ago it really wasn't worth the bother calling them) 
It's an absolute disgrace that people can't see a doctor when they need to 

Don't know what surgery you are registered at but ours is getting to be like the one in the OP. It too runs a triage system where the list closes when it's full, could be as early as 10am, and once it's full you have to try again the next day. In my experience though once on the list you do get a call back but normally from a Nurse Practicioner etc, very rarely a Doctor. Must say though that the Receptionists are very helpful but obviously there are some things you may not want to discuss with them.

ME14addick

I can't fault my GP surgery, 3 weeks ago I filled in an online form and within 2 minutes I had a text back to say that an emergency appointment was booked for one and a half hours later.

I saw a GP and she was excellent, gave me a prescription for the immediate problem, but referred me for an ultrasound scan, which I had a week later. The ultrasound was OK but confirmed a hernia which has been referred to the hospital. It's not considered urgent so I now await an appointment.

I have nothing but praise for my GP surgery.

LargeAddick

ME14addick said:

I can't fault my GP surgery, 3 weeks ago I filled in an online form and within 2 minutes I had a text back to say that an emergency appointment was booked for one and a half hours later.

I saw a GP and she was excellent, gave me a prescription for the immediate problem, but referred me for an ultrasound scan, which I had a week later. The ultrasound was OK but confirmed a hernia which has been referred to the hospital. It's not considered urgent so I now await an appointment.

I have nothing but praise for my GP surgery.

Sounds like you had a good experience. I've been told by a few people with hernia's that they no longer operate to remove them unless they are strangulated.

ME14addick

I've had mine for years, but it's got a lot bigger so have been referred as a precaution. I was advised by the GP and Ultrasound operator that if I get unusual pain, to go straight to A & E as that might be an emergency.

swords_alive

For GP appts I have been using the NHS app for some years now and no issues once set up. I'm in Bexley (Northumberland heath practice) and can usually book a phone call or face to face within a few weeks.

Pharmacy was good for anti biotics on a walk in basis last year (sinusitis).

Self referral for a couple of muscular skeletal issues has been the best thing, cutting out GP altogether. Msk Bexley run clinics in Erith and Sidcup.

Talking therapy self referral is another option nationwide but over 6 month wait there for me in Bexley currently. More urgent cases (related to anxiety and depression) are hopefully seen a lot more quickly or via GP/a&e. That's run by Mind in Bexley.

 Fortunately for me I've not needed more urgent appointments but do pre-book GP appts just in case once I have treatment underway then cancel if not needed.

Still on the whole very unhappy with the NHS. Lost blood tests has been one of my biggest issues. And care for the elderly without digital access, a whole heap of stress and lack of services for so many.

Arsenetatters

Same at ours. This week the econsult has been overloaded so they’ve closed it down. 

There’s been the usual moaning about it on local Facebook pages but some have resorted to getting a private GP appointment. Something like £90. They can refer you on but it seems it stays within the private system. 

Mr Tatters cut his finger with an axe and was seen fairly quickly at a minor injuries unit. I think you can go there with other conditions (?)

soapy_jones

Please, everyone understand that your GP has car brochures to look through...

MrOneLung

yeah, fairly simple to get appointment at my docs here in Collier Row.

ElfsborgAddick

Arsenetatters said:

Same at ours. This week the econsult has been overloaded so they’ve closed it down. 

There’s been the usual moaning about it on local Facebook pages but some have resorted to getting a private GP appointment. Something like £90. They can refer you on but it seems it stays within the private system. 

Mr Tatters cut his finger with an axe and was seen fairly quickly at a minor injuries unit. I think you can go there with other conditions (?)

Ouch, pass on my best to him.  That sounded an awful experience.

guinnessaddick

ElfsborgAddick said:

Arsenetatters said:

Same at ours. This week the econsult has been overloaded so they’ve closed it down. 

There’s been the usual moaning about it on local Facebook pages but some have resorted to getting a private GP appointment. Something like £90. They can refer you on but it seems it stays within the private system. 

Mr Tatters cut his finger with an axe and was seen fairly quickly at a minor injuries unit. I think you can go there with other conditions (?)

Ouch, pass on my best to him.  That sounded an awful experience.

Those chickens never keep still.

cantersaddick

I've posted before on this topic (feel like there was a thread of the exact same name!). 

Primary care is broken. It's also the root cause of so many other problems across the system. Sorting that and adding I'm proper community care, prevention services and adult social care will transform our health service. It will take minimum a decade but its possible. The trouble is you essentially have to dual run 2 systems for that time while you treat the people who should have recieved prevention or early community intervention and therefore are needing more and longer care whilst also implementing the prevention and community care to set up the new system. 

First stage has to be reviewing/ending the private GP contract. We can no longer allow them to operate as businesses doing what they want. We have to start opening NHS GP surgery's and then phase out the old ones. That way information sharing will be a million times better care will be linked up properly with the other services and we won't allow family rich doctors to cream money off the top of the NHS.

cantersaddick

Anyone with a London home or work address can sign up to GP at hand. It's an online GP NHS service. Can usually get an appointment within a couple days. 
It's not perfect in that they get you to go through a nurse or pharmacist as the first point of call but often they are able to help anyway and send you for tests etc. The other issue is if you have an ongoing issue you get no continuity of care as you speak to someone different every time. But it's better than the battles of a regular GP surgery 

Hartleypete

In my experience most GPs are nicking a living, rarely available and try to fob you off with a junior staff member.

Few years back went to the surgery to see what they had done with my prescription, guy in front of me was having a row with the receptionist, he suggested that the did not have enough doctors, the response from the receptionist was that they certainly had enough doctors but they just had too many patients!

cantersaddick

Covered End said:

Similar story at my Bromley GP as per the original post.
The only difference is I don't need to ring to complete an e consult.
The e consult is available online.
It takes about 20 mins to complete with ridiculously irrelevant questions.
Eg you have a bad toe and it will ask if you have chest pains etc.
They aim to get back to you within 48 working hours but there's only a 50/50 chance of that happening.
They really don't want to SEE you and if I'm ever up there 3 monthly to collect a blood test form there are never any patients waiting.

NB This may be of use as son went down with tonsillitis, went to pharmacy and was prescribed penicillin (would have been lucky to get that via GP before Xmas).

AI Overview

Learn more

Yes, community pharmacists in England can prescribe antibiotics in certain circumstances: 

• Pharmacy First

  The Pharmacy First scheme allows pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions without a GP appointment or prescription. These conditions include: 

  • Sinusitis 
  • Sore throat 
  • Earache 
  • Infected insect bite 
  • Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection) 

  Shingles 

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women 

See and treat service

Some pharmacies offer a see and treat service for patients over the age of six with sore throats. Pharmacists can offer antibiotics directly if a swab test determines the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection. 

Antibiotics are not usually available over the counter in the UK, with a few exceptions for topical creams or ointments for minor skin infections.

These services are great and should be utilised. Also worth noting that some have the option to refer you to a doctor if they aren't able to deal with your issue or think it's important enough. Which could get you to skip the GP queue. So it's worth trying.

cantersaddick

soapy_jones said:

Please, everyone understand that your GP has car brochures to look through...

Or holidays to florida over the busy winter period.

clb74

This Country is cattle trucked.
Been up the hospital 10 days on the trot now.
On the ward I've been visiting 1 bloke has been waiting 2 days to be discharged.
Patients not being on the correct wards they should be on for over a week.
Seriously ill mental Patient on same ward as someone with a terminal illness.
I was up there last night and the ward was like something out a horror movie.

Leroy Ambrose

The main problem is that GPs are, and, to a large extent, have been for the past 20 years or so, little more than social workers for the bored, lonely, paranoid and abandoned elderly. Add an increasing waiting list from expanded catchment areas, surgeries closing, drain on the NHS as skilled resource moves abroad as soon as practically possible after qualifying and the unattractiveness of General Practice to newly qualified doctors in comparison with, say, a surgical specialisation or consultancy residency and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that somebody needs to act as a shit filter. Receptionists (who, in my experience have almost without exception been sour-faced, miserable old cows anyway) now have a much harder job to do - stands to reason they'd be even more ornery than they were before.

My sympathies - but all of this boils down to the same thing: Pay more tax if you want better services. It's not rocket science.