Doctor’s appointment.

I think it was on Gransnet that I read recently, of someone being told at the GP's reception desk, appointments could only be made by phone. The lady posted that she opened the door, rang the surgery and made her appointment. Then she waved goodbye to the receptionist who took the call!

It seems to be a total postcode lottery as regards the quality of service available from the NHS in general, including GP surgeries. We've been very lucky here on Tyneside with our surgery, where we can still make an appointment via telephone, although computer-based methods are also available. DH and I are both "at risk", with various long term health problems, and despite Covid pressures, have always received good service across the board, other than having the odd routine hospital check-up delayed because of lengthy waiting lists. No complaints though, as we're aware that there are many others who have not been as lucky as we have, some of who are very ill.

Germanshepherdsmum

Things have changed so much at our surgery too, and not for the better. Whatever do people do if they don’t have access to the internet and have nobody to help them? There must be many older people in that position.

I find it very distressing that the use of the internet, meant to be helpful, can be so difficult/waste so much time faffing with emails, opening accounts, etc. Surely phones still exist?

I do all sorts of things on computer, but sometimes after lengthy 'assistance' faff - seems counterproductive to me.

I know it seems silly that you couldn’t make an appointment while you were in the surgery anyway and they were not busy., Although I do go online for repeat prescriptions, I have not yet tried to book an appointment online. Personally, I would either ring the Surgery and book an appointment or go over and book it at Reception. The girls in your surgery are probably quite ‘lazy’

Things have changed so much at our surgery too, and not for the better. Whatever do people do if they don’t have access to the internet and have nobody to help them? There must be many older people in that position.