Bad Cop / Good Cop at my GP Surgery

[meriad]

Friday a week ago I was scratched on my hand by the stray cat I was looking after - as always I quickly washed my hands and wiped all wounds with surgical spirits to stop any infection. It usually works without a problem but this time the thumb knuckle swelled up. So realising I'd probably need antibiotics I called the surgery on Wednesday morning only to be told that there are no routine appointments available for at least two weeks or so and that I'd need to call next morning 8am for a same day appointment (as is routine at most surgeries). I was bit annoyed because one of the things my surgery always makes a song and dance about is that they have longer opening hours to accommodate the people who have to work. Also, I'm usually on a train at 7.40 so calling at 8 for the off-chance of getting an appointment isn't really ideal - so called again later that afternoon to see what the next routine appointment would be and lo and behold that Friday, ie 2 days later... lady I spoke to was a bit taken aback when I said I was told there weren't any appointments available..

Anyway, cut a long story short - antibiotics prescribed but told to come back beginning this week if the swelling hasn't gone down - it hasn't so I called at 8am... engaged. Tried about 15 mins later, still engaged so made my way to work. 9am finally got through only to be told (as expected) all appointments today are now gone and I should have called at 8 and to try again tomorrow - despite me saying that the GP said to come back!

So I did the same thing I did last time - called this afternoon and guess what - tomorrow 3.30 there is an appointment - wonder where that one came from all of a sudden?

I know my surgery isn't the only one that has a rather stupid appointment system but why is that one person in the morning just so abrupt and not even willing to help? Compared to the person I spoke to both afternoons who couldn't be more different....

[Aggers]

This problem of getting appointments at the doctors seems to be getting worse.
We have the same problem here, but you just have to keep on trying. It does all
seem a little illogical sometimes.

I do hope you get better soon.

[Kaz]

Very frustrating Ria, I suppose to just depends on how helpful a person you manage to get through to - the afternoon lady sounds much more amenable!

[saundra]

A n d they wonder why a &e are full
Good l uck

[Workingman]

Ria, I have another trick... I turn up at the desk and look them in the eye (as best I can with my wonky one ) and ask, politely but forcefully, for the next available appointment with any doctor.

Mind you, the surgery is only 500m away.

[Kaz]

Yes, that does help Frank

[saundra]

Yes but ria is either on a train or at work w m

[Gal]

I have tried phoning ours at 8.30 when they open and keep going for the 'ring back' option, I always get an appointment the same day but get a sore finger from pressing redial!

The other week I was unable to do this and didn't get around to booking the appointment until about 10.30 - I was given a 2pm one the same day!

[victor]

we only have to turn up at 8 A.M or 1P.M. and wait, the morning will a Portuguese lady Dr; afternoon Dr. is a young Spanish girl looks about 18) but you can chat with her as long as you like ,she is never in a hurry

[meriad]

Ria, I have another trick... I turn up at the desk and look them in the eye (as best I can with my wonky one ) and ask, politely but forcefully, for the next available appointment with any doctor.

If it was an emergency I would Frank, but as Saundra says - I'm usually on the train by the time they open and I can't be late to work for a few days running in case I can't get an appointment same day.

Well, had my appointment on Tuesday and was told by the doctor to make another one for Thursday (ie today) morning to have the dressing changed.... so toodled off to reception on my way out, only to be told nothing available that day at all; so I went for the next available nurse appointment which actually was the only one left for the whole week - tomorrow at 1.30pm. And that was employing the 'look them in the eye' method Frank.

Oh well, it gives me the Friday afternoon off to do some grocery shopping and an early evening home