Is it hard to get a doctor's appointment where you are?

Crazyraven

I haven't seen my GP since this virus started, you phone in from 8.30 when they open until 10.30, state your case and maybe you'll get a phone call.  But the time is too short, it's been impossible to get through, I wrote to them for some urgent prescribed drugs, i did get some help last summer with my back pain but you can't describe or diagnose pain through a phone.  When I was completly floored with pain in May this year, A+E threw me out, went to a physio who advertised having X-rays, very amateur but you could clearly see the damage to my back, curves, damaged discs, phoned couldn't get through, later in the day managed to get the receptionist who allowed me to leave a letter with them.  I made copies of those x-rays, and a letter explaining what's happening, but got a call back 3 days later from the receptionist, your prints aren't good enough, or some other excuse, get lost.  I went private, got appointment, CT scan, diagnosis within a fortnight!!  But I'm not unique, here in N Ireland, that's usual, GPs are overworked, and they can't can't refer you to hospitals in this mess.  Sorry for the long story, but I was so shocked, so angry with them

Ross_Alumni

Hi @Shastus

Sorry to hear you've struggled to get an appointment and a call back. If you have no luck with making an appointment and your headache continues, you might want to try calling 111 to get some medical advice. 

Lee39

Yea it can be, mostly i am able to get telephone appointments not until recently was i able to get a face to face, i am able to send a text to my surgery and then they call me back i prefer it that way to be honest, unless its a physical problem this works better. 

Shastus

I read the NHS is under a lot of pressure daily so decided to just leave it unless it becomes very serious. I’m supposed to see IBD specialist at hospital every 3 months but hadn’t heard from them since Feb 2020 until I emailed them last month they emailed back saying they were sorry but the IBD nurse is last spoken to that knew I was having a lot of tummy pain possibly Crohns said she would speak to specialist and get back to me apparently she had left and didn’t bother to tell anyone about me, thankfully they have got the ball rolling again I’ve just had scopes and a MRI waiting for results of that. My GP just keeps putting my headaches down to dehydration because of my short bowel, but these headaches I’ve been having are just right temple where the headaches I have from dehydration are usually at the front going over to the back and I get dizzy with them so much different. Anyway as I’ve said I’ll leave it for now I’ve put up with it for 6 weeks will see how it goes. I was also thinking of changing my GP maybe a different surgery. 

Shastus

OMG don’t I go on sorry.

Shastus

I didn’t say they weren’t busy I know they are very busy that’s why I said I’d leave it and let someone more in need of appointment. My headaches can wait until my Crohns is sorted if I have to have more bowel removed it won’t matter anyway.

CoffeeFirst

Yes, it’s dreadful. I hate contacting them.

CoffeeFirst

Sorry meant to add; the process is the same as you describe. It takes so long to get through that by the time you do, the appointments have already gone! 

Luna51

I live in a rural area where they are building a huge amount of new housing in the local town, with literally one surgery covering a population of approximately 18,000 people (and counting) 
The surgery cannot cope as it is.. ?

Lisatho11987777

111 in wales is good once you get through it took me an hour and a half in the queue they are very busy 

oldngrumpy

On hold for eleven and half minutes. And got a telephone appointment in six days. That is how bad it is to see a Dr..

snailpace

I am under the same GP as my mum, who regularly tells me it’s a nightmare getting an appointment. Most of my appointments are hospital ones. I have a doctors appointment every three months which I get quite easily.

MarkM88

oldngrumpy said:

On hold for eleven and half minutes. And got a telephone appointment in six days. That is how bad it is to see a Dr..

I’d say that’s quite good compared to some. 

Crazyraven

There's been a report recently that the GP won't be having the number of face to face appointments after all this chaos, so don't worry about your sniffles,, you won't get any help!