Poorly mum

Glad you got the appointment in the end I think mumofmadboys advice was brilliant for any future problems and wish your mum good luck x

Thanks for update. 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.

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.

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.

Yes Jane10. I know all about the policy and yes it is very useful . I am saying that this one particular receptionist is not sticking to the policy.

If she has ongoing chest pain, maybe you should try 111.

It's policy not receptionists being wannabe doctors!

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.

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!

seaside, I do hope you get an appointment for your mum tomorrow and that she gets the treatment she needs.

It's not dire where I live.

Yes nanny, some receptionist try to make it as difficult as possible, as if being ill isn't bad enough.

It's dire at the moment everywhere.

Once you get mum sorted, write a letter of complaint to the practise manager.Sometimes they are unaware of what is really going on.Draw their attention to what is happening, you may just prevent someone else having to suffer day in and day out.

I actually rang for myself yesterday and the receptionist wanted details of why I wanted an appointment. Excuse me. How rude! I told her where to get off .

Seaside I totally get it . My Mums 84 and still won't admit she's a pensioner. Sooo stubborn.

I am not sure if it is still in operation but my friend who was caring for her mother told me about it (and her DD was a GP)

Don't worry Jalima I'm not a push over, something will be sorted.Didn't know about the premium payment either, think the problem is exacerbated by the sheer number of patients the practices have these days, and of course the time of year .

Don't request, insist.
The problem is getting past the receptionists who are not medically qualified.

I was under the impression that GPs are paid a premium for every patient on their lists over a certain age and that is to cover for home visits.

It sure is Nanny, I offered to take her today in a taxi, but she is very strong willed and wouldn't hear of it.She has a partner who will be visiting tonight, she also knows if at any time she feels worse, to ring us.I'll feel better tomorrow, when I can get through to the doctor.

Not too far then. Such a worry isn't it.

About 10 miles away.

Seaside do you live close to your Mother?

Thank you for listening I am just so frustrated and tired.She has an ongoing problem with angina, and was recently hospitalised and given different tablet's to try, but is still suffering low grade chest pain.I am going to request a home visit tomorrow if there are no appointments to be had, the trouble is, it will then be a doctor that she doesn't know who will probably send her in hospital, and then a whole new nightmare begins again which is very traumatic for her and us.But better safe than sorry .