In my mid 60s I am lucky enough to have not needed to see my GP for 5 years. I decided since my siblings have high cholesterol I should perhaps get tested. So I phoned the surgery mid morning.
As it is non urgent I expected to book an appointment for a few weeks ahead.
Nope. They dont have anything available. The only way is to phone at 0829 and compete for an on the day slot with the patients who actually need to be seen that day.
Is this standard these days? Maybe less missed appointments?
I just fill in an online form. Nurse and non urgent get a phone appointment if appropriate and are either dealt with then and there or scheduled in for a face 2 face. I imagine legit things are same or next day'd.
Its an excellent system.
Mine have the 8am rush for appointments that day, but then the option to book 2 or 3 weeks in advance for non-urgent stuff.
But, they seem to release new non-urgent appointments each day, so if you didn't get one today you might get one tomorrow (for 2 weeks time).
I can book through the NHS app
Our local GP's use an online triage system.
There is a couple of GPs that review all of the online forms for a number of surgeries and then assign a priority to each patient.
There are some things that raise red flags and put you to the front of the queue, as I found out just the other week.
I haven't been to the GP for years, then I had a bit of painful stomach for a few days, I filled the online form in and then my phone rang 30 minutes later asking me if I could come in that afternoon. I absolutely shit myself. Thought I was going to get blue lighted somewhere!
Turns out, middle aged man, hasn't been to the GP in years with a stomach issue raises a number of red flags and they had a cancellation that afternoon. Turned out it wasn't serious.
Is this standard these days?
As of recently, GPs must allow online bookings. Get yourself set up with the phone app.
Yes it is fairly standard I'm afraid.
We've been warning that there aren't enough GPs for a couple of decades now. Successive governments have done nothing about it, mainly because a) they'd need to vastly improve our working conditions to improve retention and b) the pay off for sorting the problem is not likely to come for a decade or so, when someone else is in power.
Also hospital waiting times are easy to measure. Access to GP appointments less so.
Get online if its something that can be sorted by someone other than the GP they will do it. You basically would like a blood test. This can be done by the practice nurse and the GP can get involved when they get the result. I got my Dueptrans sorted and didn't see a doctor until the morning of the operation.
Dont think they do online. I'm in Scotland. I think the NHS app is England only.
The practice website has no mention of online booking.
This doesn't help.
"Primary Care in NHS Scotland currently receives a 6.5% share of the overall funding, down from an 11% share in 2006"
Go SNP!!!!!
I got my Dueptrans sorted and didn't see a doctor until the morning of the operation.
Yeah, that's not ideal.
"Primary Care in NHS Scotland currently receives a 6.5% share of the overall funding, down from an 11% share in 2006"
Indeed. And that's measured as a share of funding that isn't keeping up with overall demand either.
Similar online triage system here too. We fill in a form and then if appropriate someone will normally ring back within 20 minutes. Most of my submissions are for the children when they're poorly with something and everytime it's been an appointment with the duty doctor the same morning. It's absolutely brilliant compared to the 8.30am phone call lottery that they used to have that co-incided with school drop off time so was virtually impossible to negotiate successfully.
Dont think they do online. I'm in Scotland. I think the NHS app is England only.
The practice website has no mention of online booking.
Same here (also Scotland).
Mine has two daily slots where you can phone, and most of the time the queue takes so long it just kicks you out and tells you to try the next day.
They do have an app but you can't book anything on it, just check symptoms and sort repeat prescriptions I think.
I actually took my daughter for a Dr appointment the other week (which took forever to get) and thought I'd see if I could book myself in for a future appointment whilst I was there. Nope. The receptionist at the desk who makes all the telephone bookings told me I'd need call instead.
eConsult is the only thing I miss about lockdown/Covid. I got a few things seen to that I would have otherwise just left.
Our local surgery uses PATCHES, an online triage thing accessed via nhs app. At first I thought it was a right pain to fill out, but in hindsight it's really good. Either get a phone call that day or a face to face within a day or so. I have filled one out at 8am and ended up with a face to face 10am appt that day
mine used patches and its a certified POS, terrible bit of software. I cant stand it.
clunky and not very intuitive.
I have a tiny wart/skim blemish on my face, looking a the NHS Website I need to book a GP appt to get it dealt with, surely someone can give me the magic cream/freeze spray to deal with it without me having to use up valuable GP time?
Is this standard these days? Maybe less missed appointments?
No its not standard these days, but there is a huge amount of variability throughout the UK.
Our local GP is brilliant you can book online or even email asking for something.
Unfortunately if you are fit / healthy and not known to the practice they will want you to see a GP. Although sensible ones are getting better at how you do this
I got called up last month by the GP for my over 50 MOT which included the cholestorol test (which I failed btw)
Are these routine tests a postcode lottery?
I got called up last month by the GP for my over 50 MOT which included the cholestorol test (which I failed btw)
Are these routine tests a postcode lottery?
Would appear so. I am 64 and have never had a health MOT.
A timely thread. I've just filled out an online form from my GP's website so I'll wait with bated breath (that's not a medical term and it's not my issue).
AskMyGP here in Suffolk to ask that I get put on the system for a blood test. Once that's completed I can book a phlebotomy appointment and just rock up for blood to be drawn. I prefer phlebotomy as they are the most competent with a needle, surgery nurses are slightly work a blood transfusion are worst because of the huge diameter needle they use.
Fortunate here in my part of Sussex. Was tricky for a while to get appointments but system is much better now. Today I rang after lunch as I've got concerns about an irregular heart beat. Phone appointment with GP and the wheels put in motion for bloods ECG and a cardio referral. I've got friends who poo-poo the idea of phone appointments, but I've found them very effective ways of getting things seen to.
They seem to pester me for blood tests. Flagged up raised cholesterol not long after my 50th and was put on statins.
I have a tiny wart/skim blemish on my face, looking a the NHS Website I need to book a GP appt to get it dealt with, surely someone can give me the magic cream/freeze spray to deal with it without me having to use up valuable GP time?
How do you know exactly what it is, and what treatment to do yourself? Things like that could be a lot more serious than appear to you, and need a qualified professional to examine it and give a proper diagnosis.
Of course, you could ask an AI, although don’t bother with ChatGPT - it’s been changed so it won’t answer questions regarding health any more.
Ours has had an online system of some sort for about 10 years though it's been through a couple of different versions in that time. I've used the current one twice in the last year or two, first was for cough and fatigue persisting more than 3 months post covid, I was seen the same day for that (but sadly no ongoing long covid support in the area so once they'd eliminated anything else I was on my own), once for something minor where I got a link to book a non urgent appointment a few weeks ahead. Way better than any early morning rush on the phone.
Dont think they do online. I'm in Scotland. I think the NHS app is England only.
The practice website has no mention of online booking.
This doesn't help.
"Primary Care in NHS Scotland currently receives a 6.5% share of the overall funding, down from an 11% share in 2006"
Go SNP!!!!!
Checks address... Atleast one region in Scotland does.
Go SNP?!
The only way is to phone at 0829 and compete for an on the day slot with the patients who actually need to be seen that day.
That's how it is for my GP, I'm in NI so no NHS app, the phone process is protracted, voice recorded message and only after listening to it and pressing one or whatever it is do you get engaged tone, until nine o'clock and then there's no appointments left 😕
Not good here and neither is A&E. GP practice gestapo receptionist wouldn't let me see a GP when I was told by a physio I had a misdiagnosed fracture (see GP and get an CT scan). Ended up back at A&E re xrayed, nah nothing broken. Showed physio letter, hours later got CT Scan. Admitted straight away awaiting to hear if they would do a complete hip replacement. Specialist hospital said, oh a bit late now. Consultant was somewhat concerned I'd been hobbling round on a extensively fractured pelvis and hip socket for 6 weeks. I said, yeh flown two three hour flights and been in work. Could have died of blood clots or blood loss apparently. Cheers.
Same A&E misdiagnosed my wife's broken foot a few months later. Got a letter two weeks after saying it was broken.
That said the GP practice have shaped themselves since I complained about the receptionist and the fact they never acted on hospital recommendations. I got an ultrasound of my rotator cuff quickly and found a big tear after 3 months on crutches and dragging myself around.
At least my sister is getting treatment following discovery of breast cancer. They seem on the ball but a bit slow with results and next stages.
My treatment for a broken pelvis has been dire. No physio appointments made and I was pretty much healed by the time I got to the NHS physio. I'd been going privately and they discovered the fractures. Probably wouldn't be alive if I left it to the NHS.
The only way is to phone at 0829 and compete for an on the day slot with the patients who actually need to be seen that day.
That's how it is for my GP, I'm in NI so no NHS app, the phone process is protracted, voice recorded message and only after listening to it and pressing one or whatever it is do you get engaged tone, until nine o'clock and then there's no appointments left
The trick here is to remember the keypresses and time it so that you call at exactly the tickover between 8:29 and 8:30 (or whenever the phone line opens). The IVR system will be using NTP - ie, the phone clock will be accurate. Several seconds is the difference between being at the front of the queue and being in position 27, a minute is an engaged tone when there's no more lines left.
I've got friends who poo-poo the idea of phone appointments, but I've found them very effective ways of getting things seen to.
Works for me. I've had nothing urgent but I usually ring abour 10am and get a phone appt a couple of days later.
My old school parents won't entertain it and have let a couple of issues deteriorate. If it's 3 weeks to see a GP face to face, then just accept it and wait 3 weeks, don't do nothing
How do you know exactly what it is, and what treatment to do yourself?
Honestly I don't, but I also don't see why if it was on my hand I can buy something to treat it without having to see a GP, but as it's in a different area I have to go see a GP. There are probably reasons for this I don't understand as I'm not a doctor, I'm also not proposing using AI to answer this, more that it seems overkill to have to see a doctor to deal with a literally tiny wart, perhaps I'm wrong though.
I also live next to a new town where there's thousands of new houses and no doctors so ideally you book an appointment, the thing you wanted to see them about resolves itself in the wait time, but something else might pop up in the time you wait for the appointment. Works 60% of the time, every time.
Good news! Mrs IRC was st the doctor for a 9am appt and got me one for 4pm today.
I hadn't phoned at 0829 because I had other things on so couldn't take a random appt.
Why the receptionist I phoned yesterday couldn't give me it who knows?
I got called up last month by the GP for my over 50 MOT which included the cholestorol test (which I failed btw)
Are these routine tests a postcode lottery?
Yes because they are an optional service that the GP business can choose to deliver and take the payment on offer or not as they see fit.
The heart of the problem is that because the primary care service is all delivered by private companies (GP surgeries are nearly all private companies) is that they decide how to deliver the service they are contracted to provide. There is no standardised approach.
Over 50 MOT - that's 10 years late. It's usually over 40's.
GP practice gestapo receptionist wouldn't let me see a GP when I was told by a physio I had a misdiagnosed fracture (see GP and get an CT scan).
That's because a GP isn't the correct place to go for a suspected fracture. In the same light, an emergency derpartment isn't the correct place to go for a persisting skin rash.
You are angry because your expectation wasn't met, because your expectation was unrealistic and wrong. Primary care isn't funded to deal with injury or trauma (such as fractures). Your GP won't have access to immediate CT scans to assess for 'missed fractures'. Ergo, you're angry because the receptionist managed and directed your health complaint to the appropriate department, which wasn't your GP.
Admitted straight away awaiting to hear if they would do a complete hip replacement.
Primary care isn't the emergency department. Thus your visit to the ED was the correct one. You haven't made it clear IF the receptionist directed you straight away to the ED - that could be a reasonable criticism if they didn't. NOt the fact they told you a GP isn't the right place for your issue.
DrP
The receptionist told me to wait for a physio appointment... offered me an appointment for four weeks later, then I could discuss if I needed a CT scan. I'd already seen a physio who said speak to your GP - they ignored what I told them. I didn't want to rock up at A&E for yet another 11 hour wait. But I did go, misdiagnosed yet again and was there over 30 hours on my second visit then sent home again and told not to move...6 weeks too bloody late. ED have sent me a three page apology just saying sorry. Apparently because I was able to stand with crutches (I couldn't walk) I was OK. Had I sat their screaming and wailing, then it's fine, but apparently it's my fault I have a high pain threshold. The CT scan images are something out of a horror movie. Five very visible fractures, three in my hip socked, one the whole length of the 'wing' and two fractures in my pubic rami (both bits of the loop).
Sorry DrP but I have a low opinion of my GP practice, and have had previous bad experiences from a practice I'd been at all my life. Something's very wrong in that you never see a 'regular' GP, it's some locum these days.
I just don't bother going anymore. Try and get an appointment, yeh come in three weeks time. It's why too many folk are turning up in ED for 'nothing'.
I’m afraid the physio sent you to the wrong place. If they suspected an undiagnosed fracture they should have directed you to A&E with a covering letter.
I didn't want to rock up at A&E for yet another 11 hour wait.
I fully understand and appreciate that; many patients don't want to do that either so they turn up to see me. But if i'm not the right person to see, tehn i'm not the right person to see.
I've had patients turn up having had central chest pain all night, have bene told to go to A+E by reception, but didn't. Then all I can do is tell them to present ASAP to ED when they turn up to the appontment later in the morning. I can't refer them or jump a queue as they still have chest pain - thus they need A+E. Long wait or not, it's the correct place for them.
Try and get an appointment, yeh come in three weeks time. It's why too many folk are turning up in ED for 'nothing'.
Something's very wrong in that you never see a 'regular' GP, it's some locum these days.
Something's very wrong in that you never see a 'regular' GP, it's some locum these days.
I agree. Especially as continuity of care is what has made General Practice so cost effective in the past. However to maintain it needs up front investment in retaining GPs, which isn't happening.
To outsiders, including non GP doctors, what we do looks easy, and they imagine that we can be replaced by cheaper professions. It isn't, and we can't.
Got a text to call this morning for some test results for my daughter. 6th in the queue. Got down to 1st then they hung up. Now back in the queue at 5th. This is why I ignore my own ailments 😆
Ours have done the online booking for a couple of year as an option, now everyone needs to use it. Much easier to get an appointment, results in a call back the same day, an appointment same day or a few days. Far easier.
^^ same here, south lanarkshire, much simpler and easier than before, though not sure how the elderly/non IT users manage.
It did strike me that if GP care worked better then A&E might not be so overwhelmed.
I tend to contact my GP as a last resort.
People with elderly relatives tend to do the online stuff.
If they have hearing problems and no digital skills they are basically have a problem.
same here, south lanarkshire, much simpler and easier than before, though not sure how the elderly/non IT users manage.
For ours they can ring up or call in and someone will go through the system with them.
It's almost as though closing our borderers, sending them back where they came from and alienating / demonising people who have lived here all their lives might have an impact on our healthcare system. If only someone could have foreseen that eventuality.
It did strike me that if GP care worked better then A&E might not be so overwhelmed.
The strategy as far as I can tell - and has been for some time now - is to play musical chairs with NHS problems. Don't bother the hospital, see your GP! Don't bother your GP, see a Pharmacist! In isolation this makes sense, I shouldn't be trapping at A&E with an itchy rash on my elbow, but it only works if there's resource in place to accept that additional workload.
I need to see a specialist about something. There is a waiting list of course, but I'm on a waiting list to be put onto the waiting list which is just f'kn insane. Meanwhile politicians all with expensive private healthcare policies have the brass neck to stand in Parliament boasting about how they've slashed waiting lists.
My GP is the same. Have to phone or submit an online request before everything fills up, usuall 5 minutes after it opens at 8:05am.
Notcied this story today..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v80n7mz2jo
It did strike me that if GP care worked better then A&E might not be so overwhelmed.
Absolutely true. And it would also save us money. The problem is that sorting out General Practice will take decades, and successive governments look for quick fixes and focus on the wrong targets, such as access, rather than the right ones, such as continuity of care.
As i posted above, on Monday evening I completed the form on my GP's website, this morning I had a call offering a face to face consultation on Friday.
I marked it as non-urgent so I would say the system's working fine.
Our surgery has several ways to book... and multiple types of appointment... all have been working fast and well for our family this year (just booked one over the phone for myself). This was far from the case for many years. They've really upped their game.
Sorry if this has been said already, but you don't need a GP appointment.
You need to get booked on for an NHS Health Check - and your GP should have been nudging you to get one done anyway.
It will usually be carried out by a nurse, with a GP getting involved if they want you to go on statins or anything like that.
Might be worth popping in and asking about this, in case there's been a mix-up. At my (not usually particularly helpful) GP practice there's a separate desk where a nurse books stuff like this in.
And they are sometimes offered by other providers as well. I know this because my company does them on behalf of local authorities in a couple of areas.
Google "NHS health check" and your area name to see. There's a CIC that does them for my area, I just found out.
Sorry if this has been said already, but you don't need a GP appointment.
You need to get booked on for an NHS Health Check - and your GP should have been nudging you to get one done anyway.
It will usually be carried out by a nurse, with a GP getting involved if they want you to go on statins or anything like that.
Just to update. My practice gave me a GP appt rather than a nurse health check. Possibly since my last contact with them was around 5 years ago.
Anyway got results by phone yesterday - delay was my fault. I had to take blood pressure readings at home for 5 days and took my time doing it.
Anyway, all good. Unlike my siblings cholesterol not high. Borderline as to whether stains are worthwhile on my q-riskscore. I declined as I have plenty scope to improve diet so I'll keep an eye on that and go back in a year.
Slightly curious to as to why I am the only one of four siblings without cholesterol levels requiring treatment. Best guess is that unlike them I exercise 5 or 6 days a week. Also two are retired while I work part time perhaps the low level activity getting out and about helps. Maybe because I am the only dog owner? So aside from my cycling/swimming/jogging I am out for a walk two or three times a day with thedogs.
Slightly curious to as to why I am the only one of four siblings without cholesterol levels requiring treatment.
Are you the youngest?
Age and gender are both factors for your qrisk2 score.
If I was eligible, I’d take a statin, not mess around with diet. YMMV.
We have an online system with requests triaged and contact from the surgery via SMS. My experience- thankfully limited - is that mostly you are booked to see a nurse practitioner, who may be enthusiastic and competent but who doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to accurately diagnose something which is either complicated or ambiguous. From there you can phone up the practice and moan, or call 111. I did the latter once and was told I had an appointment at our local “Urgent Treatment Centre”. However I never got to see anyone as there as a constant stream of people with blood leaking from them and they - understandably- bumped me down the queue. After an hour or so I was feeling too unwell to stay sitting in the waiting room so I went home.
The point being just to repeat that the lack of resources leads to inefficiency and waste of those resources. It seems to be a vicious circle.
If you can't get by in the system Dr J,what hope is there for the rest of us?