General Chat

Who do i complain to about my treatment at the doctors? I phoned to make an appointment on a Friday morning. I said I would see anyone at anytime during the foloowing week. No appointments at all. So I was given one for the following Monday. That is just over a week. So today I should be seeing a GP. Last Friday I get a letter in the post to say thta particular doctor won't be there today so an alternative appointment has been made for next Monday! When i phoned and said I needed to see a doctor before tomorrow because I would need another prescription - oh yes I am allowed a repeat prescription without seeing a doctor. Only the one mind! But I wanted to discuss my treatment with a doctor before I got another presciption. I want to know if the symptoms I am getting are normal, maybe they will sort themselves out given time or maybe I need a different type of medication. I am so cross. In fact I have been getting crosser all weekend. The more I think about the way they have treated me the worse I feel. And I rarely visit the damn doctor. I would change but there is no alternative within a reasonable distance. Is it going to come to finding a private doctor just so I can get an appointment within a week!! Jane

I actually thought that the guideline was within 48 hours! But maybe that's only a guidelien. I'm sure they take the phone off the hook oin Monday mornings too. At my practice you phone for an appointment, they then transfer you to appointments - the next desk and the same woman answers! Jane

hi jane we are guarenteed an appointment,the day we phone! at our surgery we cant make appointments in advance.if i was to phone today i could see a dr today!. the only way we can have an advanced appointment is if the dr wants to see again. i suggest you phone your drs and demand an appointment. susie

At our surgery we phone the day we want the appointment and are guaranteed to be seen. Our surgery opens at 8 a.m. and closes - when everyone has been seen. I realise we are very lucky with our practice - the receptionists are really helpful too :-)

Jane ask to speak to the praticise Manager!! make sure you are heard!! Thsi maybe adminstration error!!

at my doctors your situation would qualify you for an emergancy appointment today...please ring again or go to the surgery...or ring nhs helpline for advice if this fails

Can you book telephone appointments with your doctor? I have done that when I need to speak to a doctor but don't need to actually see them at the surgery.I don't know if you could insist on that. According to the recent doctor/patient ratio lists I live in the worst area in the country, Shepway, but I would not expect to wait your length of time for an appointment.

Our GP Surgery is not too bad. What I have found is that if I phone for an appointment the Receptionist tries to fob me off with an appointment in a week or 10 days time. Then when I say, Listen I am ill today, I might be dead in a week, she asks me to phone first thing next morning and then I can get an almost immediate appointment. I really have no idea why they must go through this rigmarole.

I too would phone up and ask to be fitted in as an emergancy, if they ask you whats wrong, just say "Id rather not, its personal but im unwell and it cannot wait". You dont have to tell the receptionist the reason you need to see doc. E x

I myself have a private practice doctor - I think the waiting time for appointments in health centre etc it absolutely outrageous - it seems that you require to know that you are going to be ill 1 or even 2 weeks before so that you can get seen when you are actually ill. Madness!!!