On the subject of doctors...

Neoni · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:50

Hey all, bit of a rant!

Why in the heck, when i ring up my village practice, and ask for an appointment because my skin is flared up, and its really sore, they say:

"6 oct at 2.50pm"

WHAT!?

I need it sorting now, does anybody get the same num skullery from there doctors?

-Neoni

Jaaay · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:51

Neoni · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:52

Jay™ said:
A&E?

not really they'd laugh and say clear off.

Greenlizard0 · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:52

Yeap your GP's aren't an emergency room, that's what A&E's for.

Nitefly · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:53

Hardly their fault if they are busy is it?

Neoni · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:53

Greenlizard0 said:
Yeap your GP's aren't an emergency room, that's what A&E's for.

but ive had this skin condition since i was young i suffer with excema (sp?) and i just want some creams prescribing, no biggy really.

Jacob (: · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:54

Doctors by me let you go in with a sign that says Emergency Apointment, so everyone in the waiting room knows you are going to make them wait longer! xD

Neoni · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:56

Jacob (: said:
Doctors by me let you go in with a sign that says Emergency Apointment, so everyone in the waiting room knows you are going to make them wait longer! xD

Well ive pestered them and they now say i can go in the morning, wtf.... just tell me that in the first place.

Cob · 24 Sep 2008 at 16:58

Phoned mine this morning at 9am and was seen at 11.20am.

The trick is to phone in early enough to take advantage of any cancellations.

M0T · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:03

My local surgery only does 25% prebooked appointments the rest are all booked same day. So if I want to see a doctor I call at 8:30 and will usually be in by 10.

Greenlizard0 · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:05

Neoni said:
but ive had this skin condition since i was young i suffer with excema (sp?) and i just want some creams prescribing, no biggy really.

I can't tell you much more, but perhaps you could try your pharmacist. Just a suggestion.

stoofa · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:06

Because of guideines on waiting lists doctors aren't actually supposed to give you appointments for the future - unless it is things like blood tests or you would see a nurse rather than the doctor.

Our local has open surgery every morning - turn up and see the first available doctor.
Or you call up first thing for a midday or afternoon appointment.

I know a ot of people have bad things to say about the NHS in general.
My experience over the past couple of years of both doctors & hospitals has been excellent - well lets put it this way, I'm still alive and relatively well!

shifty_uk · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:08

Cob said:
The trick is to phone in early enough to take advantage of any cancellations.

This.

Usually if I ask for an emergency appointment they will arrange it for that day, might not be with my usual GP but any will do!

Jooma · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:24

Neoni said:
but ive had this skin condition since i was young i suffer with excema (sp?) and i just want some creams prescribing, no biggy really.

if you've had eczema for years, I'm assuming you've already had creams prescribed in the past, so can you just not ask for a 'repeat prescription'? - you won't even need to see a doctor.

and my doctors surgery is the very same as yours - cr@p. I've got to thinking if you hardly ever go to the docs, you've no chance of getting an appointment when you really need one. Unlike those who have a season pass for appointments - come out of one, and make another straight away :confused:

antijoke · 24 Sep 2008 at 17:26

Didn't you know you have to schedule your illness around them now? :rolleyes:

GreenMint · 24 Sep 2008 at 18:01

Can't fault mine tbh, appointments start at 8am, they're full by 9:30, called them today from work, appointment for 3:50 and advised by Dr's note to take tomorrow and friday off!

Azagoth · 24 Sep 2008 at 18:05

Neoni said:
does anybody get the same num skullery from there doctors?

Yes. My Doctor keeps on giving me prescriptions for my eczema medication, the only problem is that the actual drugs themselves are no longer available and she refuses to acknowledge this fact. I'm stuck with using Betnovate-C (which works OK on my arms and legs but not on my face) and I get my Atarax tablets from Spain.

platinum87 · 24 Sep 2008 at 18:07

if you know what cream you need why not go and write your own prescription?

Cob · 24 Sep 2008 at 18:09

platinum87 said:
if you know what cream you need why not go and write your own prescription?

huh?

drunkenmaster · 24 Sep 2008 at 18:13

most doc's are like that from what I've seen, emergency appointments, tending to be in the morning and actual pre arrange appointments that are often weeks, hell, even months away.

If the 90% of people in the country who have a damn cold/flu didn't go to the doctors to get antibiotics then almost everyone would be able to walk into a doc's and see them when needed without an issue.

But its always worth finding out from pharmacist if theres something similar you can get none perscription. A couple of times I was perscribed something or other and the pharmacist(whose really good at my local place) would say, this is the same stuff, but cheaper not on a perscription so get that instead.

For instance the active substance might not be perscription only or there might be a weaker version that works fine for you, always worth asking. Pharmacists are far more in the know about similar products than doctors are.