There must be a better system than this!

They don't! They're protecting 'their' doctors.
Also in some places they are employed by the local trust rather than the practice.
I had to tell my dragons I would always see someone if it was urgent.

I really don't understand why things at different surgeries aren't 'standardised', they all work for the NHS don't they? so why can't things be the same for all surgeries?.. or at least all work to the same plan.
Our surgery answer the phone quickly and you can always go and wait if its necessary, you can get an app within 2/3 days and they have a nurse who can take bloods, and you ring in 7days for the results, they'll ask you to come in if you need to see the doctor or they'll say all is ok.. why do things work so badly in some surgeries?
When you ring you actually feel as though the receptionist does want to help you..

How frustrating for you oxon

Disgraceful

Thanks glammanana - I only just caught up with this, it had gone out of sight!
The latest: Thursday, I didn't even try to get an appointment, I just rang and asked to speak to a doctor and they rang me back an hour later - actually much easier. Saw me at 3.30.....so far so good....examined properly for the first time - ie rectal exam

Friday, got my sample in within 24 hours, BUT
I can't get my blood test done until next WEDNESDAY, which means I can't see a doctor after the results are received, until the week AFTER.........

Oxon our Doctor's surgery is appointments on an afternoon but anyone can walk in on a morning. I have had crippling gut pains for three days and went this morning, I waited 50 minutes to see a doctor but he put my mind at rest after a quick examination. I thought I was heading for bowel investigations but he thought not, I am so relieved.

jeni I'm hoping you feel a bit brighter to-dayoxon

I don't believe in doctors. I think they're like the tooth fairy!

Some doctors have a Patient Group where grumbles can be aired . I think this is about to become compulsory so check up with your local surgery. Ours does patient surveys to get the opinions of patients as to how the surgery is doing .We also have a ''virtual group'' where ideas are run past patients on line.

But gracesmum, what I did worked, didn't it?

The doctor isn't sure if I have diverticulitis or gastroenteritis, and has given me a prescription, but meanwhile I have to take in a sample (ugh) and results hopefully Thurs.
I also got her to look at my left breast where I had a lumpectomy ages ago, and which has had some changes recently...I've to go for a checkup. Nothing definite.

I feel like I was making a fuss earlier now, but it just shows how frustrated you can get at their system!
Thanks, all.

Hi Tosh! How're things with you?

See - you should have washed your hair hours ago! Good luck - hope the doctor "sorts you out" (in the nicest possible way )

Talk about Murphy's Law!
I decided I wanted to wash my hair anyway, but I was betting the doctor would ring if I did, then realised that was what I wanted anyway - so....
I got to the hairdryer part and as soon as I put it on - sitting by the phone so I would hear it...she rang.
I now have an appointment for 12.20.

That should be happening, but I am still waiting for their call.

I still want to wash my hair!

Oxon70, sorry to read of your problems and yes I agree with everyone else, you should be seen Asap.
If you ring the surgery and ask the Receptionists to get the GP to call you after surgery, this should work. Emphasise your urgent need. Good luck! Keep worrying them and insist.

Now having fluid in the shape of a cup of tea.
I can't even go in the garden and do anything, in case I don't hear the phone.

I can sit at the computer, so perhaps I should be thinking of the emails I should answer...

That's exactly what I do flicketyb. They don't answer the phone when it rings out, but as soon as I put it down and dial again it's engaged. They are impervious to any pleas about it, and I have struggled down to that surgery suffering from flu (the second time I've had it in 63 years), to be told that I shouldn't come in the surgery when I'm that ill!

My next door neighbour, who goes to a different surgery here, has even more grumbles, as the number is an 0844 one....she said last week that she was going to go and sit on their doorstep from 8am the next day, after trying to get them on the phone....she ended up with an appointment for the second week in April.

I have given up ringing my surgery if I need an urgent appointment. I drive five miles there, make my appointment to see the duty doctor sometime the same day, drive home and repeat the journey when the appointment is due.

Oxon70 your doctor's sounds a lot like ours! I don't mind the ringing back part per se, because it can lead to the right advice or even an appointment that day. But if I ring to book an appointment I am lucky if it is sooner than 3 weeks hence. It is better than the previous system of the entire population trying to get through at 8 when the surgery opened and all the appointments gone by the time I got through, but still far from satisfactory.

Hello Tosh, I haven't seen your name before. And thanks.
Yes you are very lucky!

I'm hoping for the same treatment. I had to psych myself up to phone because I had a bad experience having an endoscopy years ago, when I had diarrhoea.
Painful, rough and I felt bruised for several days after!
Now I read online that this can be risky if you have diverticulosis!

That sounds antiquated.My surgery's system is -best to ring between 8a.m. and 9a.m.and I nearly always get appt.that day.booking ahead is more complicated!!
They also have one early morning surgery and one evening surgery for patients working full-time.
There is also an internet appt. booking facility.

We must be very lucky with our nearest Village surgery (2 part time doctors + nurse). We can always get an appt the same day and a phone appt will always be given a time.
Our GP offers to come out to see DH to save us having to take him in his wheelchair.
Not a high tech Health Centre ..just a lovely rural surgery.
I feel your pain Oxon as our daughters sometimes have the same problems getting appts at their Health Centres.
I hope you get sorted soon .....I had the same thing before Christmas and our GP did tests and gave me antib's.
xxxxxx

That's the only thing they offered, greenmoss. But no idea when.