Getting GP appointment (not a medical thread!)

Thanks guys for all the tips! And also glad to hear it isn't just me facing this issue (though some of you seem to have it pretty good :p).

I don't particularly want to start over-exaggerating or lying to get seen, so sounds like walk-in might be the best way...From what you guys are saying, if I show up to my surgery (which has walk in hours Monday-Friday), I should get seen, even if I have to wait? Or does that work only with places that are purely walk-in centres?
 
Most surgeries if they have a walk in will see you if you arrive and book in during the hours it operates.

For example my local surgery does walk ins for blood tests 3 mornings a week at one site and a walk in GP/Nurse at their other site on the other side of town (basically to let them manage parking etc better), in both instances AFAIK as long as you arrive before the cut off they'll do their best to see you, but you may well end up waiting an hour or more.

Check your GP's website or give the receptionists a ring* to confirm if you're unsure.


*A nice gold or Diamond one works wonders...;)
 
One of the advantages of living in a low population area with mainly farms and big country houses with a few small villages means I don't even need to make an appointment. I drive 10 minutes and within 30 mins I'm in with a doctor.
 
Even the North East is getting wore, was rarely I would ring on a Monday and not get an appointment same week.

Tried getting an appointment for my daughter last week, 17 days :rolleyes:
 
Never have any issues getting an appointment with our local GP. I ring at 8am (yes it might take a few attempts but so what) by 8.15am I will invariably have an appointment to see someone that day be it a nurse or GP. Actually harder to see the practice nurse than a GP for me.

Most surgeries will have several appointment blocked for on the day bookings, usually a couple as emergencies and then one or two as telephone consultations. Obviously don't exaggerate your need to see the GP as it potentially stops someone who needs an appointment more urgently than you. If you are really struggling and need to be seen urgently find out where your nearest walk-in centre is and pop along there.
 
My local surgery went from a couple of days wait to 9/10 if I want to see a particular doctor. Which i do as he knows me better than some of the others. But this elongated wait seem to happen almost overnight.

My letter to the health secretary for Scotland asking why waiting times on on the increase right across the Scottish NHS. When she eventually responded her letter was full of the usual political double talk which fills the empty space on an A4 sheet but actually says little.
So I play the system and 9 times out of 10 can get an appointment with my Dr of choice.
 
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