This post won't have the same meaning to readers who don't live in UK.
Something medical that has been bothering me for a few months, got worse over the weekend, I had to try for a Dr's appointment yesterday morning. I dread the 8 o'clock scramble, as its called. Before now I have been up to an hour listening to the voice saying are 'number 23' or what ever number is next. So I was ready and started dialing the Medical centre number at 7:57 and kept redialing and as soon as it started to ring. I quickly pressed 2 + 1= #2 for English and #1 for reception and I was speaking to someone right away. I think I was one of the first patients!! I had an appointment at 9:00am Wow!! I've never had that before.
I saw one of the new Dr's, Dr Jenny Jenkins, she was very nice and gave me the medication that is sorting me out. I don't know why I leave problems so long, but I suppose it's how I was brought up, not to be a nuisance!!
After it, we went into town to Costa's for coffi and a Cheese toasty, which was very nice. Not the SW food plan but we called it our breakfast!
How do you find getting a Dr appointment where you live?
Chrisxx
24 comments:
These days, in England, I just fill in an online form and the surgery call me. My GP has advised me to 'make a fuss' when necessary. I know this is not how we were brought up but it seems to work.
I don't, I have given up. What I don't know about I don't worry about. Good that you got in so quickly.
It sounds complicated, playing Russian roulette to get a GP appointment, so I'm glad we don't have a socialist health system. Our problem is people are panic buying petrol, long queues for cheap Tuesday as prices go up. So no thanks to whoever started a war threatening our petrol supplies.
We used to have the mad scramble to get in the long queue for the receptionist at 8am, but at the end of last year our surgery changed to the triage system. You use the GP app to fill in a form with your problem, and all the forms are triaged by a doctor before being assigned either face to face appointments, phone appointments, all with either a doctor or a nurse practitioner, or the doctor will send a prescription direct to the pharmacy for you to pick up later that day. It works really well.
I guess every once in a while miracles do happen! Glad you are getting your problems sorted out.
When we lived in Maryland we had the same trouble as you on Monday mornings if you or a child needed to seen. Here in NH with fewer people it's not as big of a problem. Often you can speak to a triage nurse who helps get you in to an appointment or makes the diagnosis over the phone. For the latter it was a UTI and she got the prescription written and sent to pharmacy.
Here in our state of Ohio we have urgent care centers. If you get there early in the morn you usually do not have to wait long for a dr. Later in the day you may sit for hours. They usually treat UTIs and colds and ear infections, that kind of problem. Getting into your own physician can take weeks for an appt.
You are fortunate to get an appointment so fast, I would need to wait a week or more. To go to the Dr. I have an hours drive. There is a shortage of Dr's here.
It's lovely that you had a positive experience with the doctor. It makes such a difference when a doctor is kind and efficient. Here in India in some hospitals it's such a pain getting an appointment. But some hospitals are so pro-active that if we aren't able to get across to the receptionist for an appointment, they call back.
Here in Swadlincote, our Surgery have a book online system, chuffing useless as no matter what time you look for an appointment there aren’t any also the telephone lines are busy whenever you try ringing, in an emergency situation we have resorted to actually going to the Surgery early and speaking to a human, another idea in an emergency is to ring 111 and they will contact a GP to call or see you. When did life become less precious to the health service, sad really as most of us try to look after ourselves in the first instance but hey-ho on we go. Jan
We have to complete an online questionnaire; depending on what's wrong we get a call back or a text, usually the same day, sometimes with an appointment. So far it seems to work...
Getting a regular appointment is difficult. But the night I took hubby to emerg, and since, the care is excellent!
So glad you got an appointment so quickly and were able to get the prescription you needed. We have to fill out a triage form on line to give details of symptoms and someone usually gets back to you the same day, either with an appointment or a telephone/text with advice. It is easier than the previous 8a.m. sitting with the phone as awful music plays and the queue numbers count down:)
Wow, you did well there Chris. I was brought up not to be a nuisance too, it does stay with you. Glad to hear the medication is sorting you out.
Re online forms etc, I've yet to use this in Aus. You ring the surgery a receptionist answers and you make an appt. Same day appts are set aside if it's urgent. You pay but it's subsidised by Medicare. Consultations can be bulk billed at the doctors discretion, that is, if they think you're hard up and struggling financially. Emergency Departments are free but urgent care clinics are not, again subsidised by Medicare and no waiting as with the ED.
Now we have moved to Derbyshire and have a different Dr's, its been so much better. They are really on the ball with everything and you can ring practically any time during the day and either get a face to face or a call back appointment. Xx
I'm glad you were sorted out.
I live in a small town and it is easy to get appointment the same day.
That is very good that you got an appointment so quickly.
All the best Jan
I live in the US. We play the same game. I start dialing before they open so that I can just hit redial over and over. I start by asking for my regular doctor, it can be weeks for an appointment, i work my way through associates or a nurse practitioner. If I am calling for illness or injury I always say I will take the first appointment available with ANYONE. If I need a specialist I always try to have the primary doctor's office make the referral call - they can get me in weeks before calling myself.
You did get lucky!!! I hope you feel better quickly.
Glad that you got in soon enough.
I know there are bad stories about the NHS but I think it is so much better than anything here in the US where, even with insurance, you worry about the cost of going to the doctor. Anything more than just routine can cost a fortune.
If I could even get through to speak to a human at our surgery I'd need medical attention for shock. It's nothing but a nurse station and you can book endless online appointments for bloods and jabs - there may be doctors there somewhere but you can't get through to book any appointments. Useless GP service these days in Portsmouth. If you really have an emergency the service is amazing and hospitals are superb - something to be thankful for, especially as surgeries are useless. Elle
Yes we have the 8am scramble too. I usually start calling at 7.59 and by the time its gone through all the advisory speech you get connected. Ridiculous that we have to do this to get an appointment. Glad you got yourself sorted.
I'm glad you were able to get a same day appointment right away. Hope the medications help and you feel better, soon. Your breakfast sounds tasty. :)
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