Had a call from my 86 year old mum today, she has been trying to get an appointment with the doctor, she has rang early every morning to no avail, the receptionist told her this morning as there are still no appointments she should visit the walk in center 10 miles away! How they expected her to get there goodness knows.Now I have to try from 7am in the morning, I'm not holding out much hope as I have tried three times today to get through only to run out of patience and hang up after 45 minutes.
There is a notice in our GP surgery waiting room explaining the need for receptionists to ask a few set questions in order for them to allocate the appropriate appointment with the relevant practitioner. Eg maybe a telephone appointment would be best or the practice nurse could do blood pressure or whatever is done by her. It's not always necessary to see an actual doctor. Having read this notice I completely understand why the receptionist has to respond in the way she does. It's worked well. I've had helpful telephone appointments, practice nurse appointments and also been able to see a doctor on the day I've phoned as required. It's not all bad in the NHS!
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for the NHS. There is just a certain receptionist in our surgery that is a wannAbe doc obviously. It's not just in my surgery by the sounds of it either.
Gosh, reading this I'm so pleased we have a surgery like Janes! There was a young receptionist who started last year and took a while to be licked into shape, but she's quite good now! If you have problems with a particular receptionist, there should be a complaints procedure. The doctor may well be looking for someone to complain properly so something can be done about her.
If your mum still has chest pains I agree with Luckygirl that if you don't get a home appointment this morning you should ring 111. They'll get a doctor out! If she does end up in hospital again it will be for good reason. Better safe than sorry.
Seaside I am a retired Gp. Phone the surgery for her and say your mum is elderly, you are worried about her and she has ongoing angina symptoms. Say she needs seeing today. There are always appointments for emergencies. Good luck.
Hi, update.Managed to get mum an appointment this morning.Doctor thinks she may not be taking the tablets correctly, so has arranged for them to be put in a dosset box, to be picked up this afternoon.Also she needs to take her GNT spray frequently, which should help with the pain, this contradicts what we were told in hospital, but never mind, she won't use it anyway because it gives her a headache ! So frustrating.Wish me luck.