26-02-2014, 01:06 PM
1
GP Telephonists
As a few are aware I have been having a spate of nose bleeds. My blood pressure is high and I am having tests done for that.My nurse told me on Monday if I have any further nose bleeds to contact a certain doctor who specialises in Ears, Nose and Throat and would be able to cauterise it for me.
Yesterday I had two further nose bleeds (not very heavy this time) so I did as she suggested and rang the surgery. No appointments with this GP for a couple of weeks!!! I was advised though, as he is on Triage duty today, to ring just after 8am and he should be able to ring me to advise and maybe go to see him.
Got up early and phoned the surgery. Dr M is NOT on duty today but I can speak to another one or a nurse!! BUT, I told her, I was told to ring this morning and he WOULD be on duty!! It was like a brick wall. Another doctors wouldn't do or a nurse either (probably the one I'd been seeing anyway!).
I explained I am away next week and would like to see Dr M before I go. No chance!
I have now got an appointment with him for Wednesday 12th March. I have to keep my fingers crossed now that my nose doesn't bleed whilst away or that they cease altogether, in which case I won't need the appointment!
So many mixed messages. Why don't they all get their act together and sing from the same hymn sheet
Grrrrrrrrrrrr!! Rant over!
26-02-2014, 01:17 PM
2
Re: GP Telephonists
I sympathise, I had an appointment this morning at huge inconvenience my family managed to get me to the surgery only to find the GP has rung in and taken the day off. Now why couldn't they have just rung me so I wouldn't need to be carried down the stairs ? Rocket science it isn't but you would think it was from they way it's run. Now have to wait three and a half weeks for another appointment, so as my diabetic check is needed same time I suggested perhaps two appointments could be synchronised ? no way apparently and no the GP cannot do the diabetic check it has to be the diabetic nurse so has to be two separate appointments.Oh and new rules each appointment is for one issue so if you have 3 or 4 symptoms you need 3 or 4 appointments ! I do question how without all the symptoms on the table can they properly diagnose anything ?
26-02-2014, 01:23 PM
3
Re: GP Telephonists
Oh dear Joy
I book most of my Drs appointments online these days than I can see who is on duty and when.I hate ringing the surgery and being passes around from person to person having to keep repeating myself particularly when I am feeling ill.
I hope you nose bleeds stop soon. My late sister used to have bad nose bleeds, they can be a nightmare .
26-02-2014, 04:21 PM
5
Re: GP Telephonists
Why is this happening? Ours is the same, no pre-bookable appointments, ring at 8am for same day, ring at 8am - answering machine, put down phone & try again immediately, engaged until 5 past, then all gone!!! Only pre-bookable 18th March...I complained to the receptionist, she said about 30 others had complained already that day!
The only way I managed to get an appointment with my doctor was to ring her secretary.
26-02-2014, 04:46 PM
8
Re: GP Telephonists
Very lucky, even giving them one of my looks doesn't work!Talking of "same hymn sheet" my youngest is in full time education, the receptionist at our surgery, where we also have a dispensary, said she had to pay for her script. I had an argument with the local chemist previously about this as I've got a Tax exemption certificate & she is covered by it as a family member until she's 20. They wouldn't have it! I'd already phoned the NHS tax exemption people & they said yes she is eligible for free scripts etc. as long as her name is on my Tax Credit letter, which says: "young person between 16 & 20" for those in education. I rang the Tax Credit people who said: "we will send out a new letter for you, with her name on it"
I told the receptionist to phone both offices to prove I was right, they only phoned the NHS office who said, "it has to have her name on it". Fine, I was getting a new letter with the name on so she didn't have to pay.....
The letter arrived.... "young person between 16 & 20......."
My dander is now well & truly up! Roll on November when she'll be 20!
26-02-2014, 05:20 PM
10
Re: GP Telephonists
We went through a silly phase within our GP practice. If you phoned up they would ask "Is it an emergency" ? If you were not at your last gasp and in deference to the crisis in the NHS said no,they replied (typically) that Dr Hyde can see you on X date (3 weeks ahead). The usual reply to this was "In 3 weeks I will either be dead or healed up".. The receptionist would respond " I had better say you are an emergency and book you in this afternoon.I came to the opinion this was a sort of procedural interchange to conform to official procedures and box ticking.
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