Designated GP

I’ve seen “my” GP twice in 25 years. I seldom need to see a doctor so never see the same one twice, which doesn’t matter as I am reasonably healthy.
My only gripe is their refusal to put my eye drops on repeat prescription. As they stop me going blind and are my only medication I feel I’m entitled to them.
The Tories hate the NHS and have succeeded in their aim of running it down so that people will go private. Hoorah, let’s make loads of money out of sickness like they do in the US!

How lovely to know yourGP. My DH does because he’s there so often but I’m rarely ill so they don’t know me and I never take offence but am grateful for good health. Long may my situation continue!

So sorry to hear about your DH Susie but glad you felt so supported by your Practice. It reminded me of my mother just before she died. She was staying with us and so was a temporary patient at our small practice. One wet and windy Friday night one of the doctors stopped off on her way home to see if Mum was OK.I have never forgotten it.

I am writing to say that my surgery is wonderful ! All the doctors and nurses could not be more caring . My husband died at home on 31st December . During his last weeks he saw three different GP's , a nurse practitioner and I spoke to the GPs on the phone . All of them could not have done more for us and treated him as if they had known him for ever. After he had died, each one phoned me individually to offer condolences and support . They are all young, hard working and lovely . Also a shout out for the amazing district nurses and Macmillan team as well .

When we ring up for an appointment at our surgery we are asked to book with our own GP if possible as "this is the best practice for the continuity of care".I am always able to see my own doctor.

Our surgery was was absorbed by a huge group practice. My named GP is based and works at a location 12 miles away. No, never seen them and don’t suppose I will!

I go to a large GP practice and always see the same GP. He knows my condition as he took the trouble to educate himself when I was diagnosed. He'd heard of the condition but knew little about it before me and I have an unusual form of the condition. He knows me by my first name and also my son and Dil and Grandson. He always asks them how I'm doing etc. I see him because I don't always want to be explaining myself over and over and he's excellent in fact he bends over backwards to help me. I'd be devastated if he left.

If I need a GP, I honestly don’t care which one I see.
I know I’m lucky in that (touch wood) I don’t often need one, though.

The practice nurse at my surgery does that, too. I was there for an injection on Monday, and in five minute slot I was sweetheart, flower, darling, my love and goodness knows what else. It drives me mad. I would much prefer to be Mrs Dog, but it doesn't seem worth making a fuss when she means well (and is the one wielding the needle!).

I rarely see a doctor, but when I did need one I would asked for my designated GP, whom I knew, and made sure I always saw, as I get on very well with her.

Now it is a telephone/email system. The day's designated doctor calls you back and decides who you see and when.

Last time I was seen by the nurse practitioner, and in this particular case, I was not impressed, She talked down to me and kept saying ,'bless' to everything I said, in that irritating patronisng way, which completely undermined my confidence as to whether she was actually listening to what I was saying or just producing the standard diagnosis for old people with these symptoms.

It has put me right off contacting the surgery, no matter what my problems, unless in dire necessity.

When you have rare or complicated medical problems it is time wasting and frustrating to have to keep going over old ground with different doctors and being wary of the reception you may get. I had one doctor who kept insisting that I must have a similar sounding but totally different disease. I was mid treatment and it was very distressing.

If you are attending for one off medical issues then it doesn’t matter too much who you see. Again, a named doctor may make different decisions because she/he is aware of your overall health and the implications it may have for treatment.

Pantglas The reason I prefer to see the same GP is because I have a number of chronic conditions and take medication and have treatment for all of them. The problem is that they're partly linked and I can't take certain medications because they're contraindicated.

When I used to be able to see the same GP (and I didn't mind a wait), I didn't have to spend half the appointment explaining why I was there and what other conditions I have.

Even now the GP says "Come back and see me in six months (or whenever) to see how you're getting on", but I know I won't be able to make an appointment with the same doctor, so any treatment plan is never followed through.

I've been forced to become a Google DIY doctor and only ever go to the GP when I need a medication review or know I need to be referred to secondary care. I'm reasonably Google savvy, but there are loads of people who aren't or are much frailer than I am.

Although I tend to see the same doctor it doesn't mean I won't see the others if she's not available.

I don't know who my designated doctor is but I tend to see the same doctor whenever I go. I went to her when she first started at the practice and we sort of hit it off. She doesn't undermine me but at the same time doesn't mollycoddle me.

When I got married in the late seventies I had to change to a new practice and my doctor was a similar age to me so if I’ve chosen to retire why shouldn’t he be able to?

I don’t understand why people insist on only seeing one doctor anyway - what if they’re away on courses, holidays, ill themselves? Would you rather be seen or suffer?

There was report a few months ago saying that there was a link between continuity of care and good health, which is common sense really.

I really miss the gp we had for years. He knew me, my children, their ages, if they were at university etc. He retired through ill health and we changed (within the practice) to a lovely man who I get on with very well but he doesnt know my back story and he shocked me when he thought I only had 2 children. Its inevitable I suppose as gps retire.

Dh and I are now trying out the younger gps to see if we can find one to 'see us out'!!!

I've had a designated doctor for three and a half years now, since my old GP retired, but I have never yet set eyes on my new one. He seems impossible to get an appoinment with.
So, on the very rare occasion when I can actually get an appointment, it's with any doctor available. So I don't feel that
I have a doctor who knows me. I find it rather unsatifactory,
but that's the way it is these days.

Oopsaminty. They used to notify you when you were allocated to a new doctor. If the same name appears on your prescription that might be your allocated GP.

Some GPs used to try and use other GPs prescription pads so it looked as if they prescribed less! Probably all changed with computerisation.

Last paragraph refers to my current surgery! GN is becoming tedious! Infuriating when you can’t amend posts!

My wonderful GP retired last year

I'd been going to her for over 30 years

Sadly I have to visit the GP far more than I'd like due to chronic health issues

I've yet to see the same GP twice

My named GP remains a mystery to me. Never managed to get an appointment with him

Mind you, he only does 2 days a week

The surgery I worked in had a strict policy that you could only see your allocated GP. Great if you had a good relationship but a nightmare if you didn’t. Can remember a neighbour saying that she felt too ill to see her doctor!

Have kept away for the last few years but theoretically you can see who you choose but the good ones are always booked up well in advance.

I agree with growstuff when over 75 one has a designated GP. Mine is lovely and is not one of those who will discuss one complaint only. One of the male doctors will only do that.

I have an appointment this month but only because I cannot order drugs online without a review. I will not be spending long there.

Our practice goes out of its way to avoid communication.
When you call it’s automated, you are then advised to go online to book appointments etc.
In the highly unusual event of an appointment then you have to book in via a machine on entering the surgery.
Staff is rude and the doctors are without empathy.
My designated GP can’t even be bothered to tell me about the medication she prescribes.
I hate having any contact with them and pray I stay healthy.

I’m just glad I don’t have to see my GP often enough to form a relationship.

When the children were little with all their ills and checks, we had a wonderful fatherly Irish doctor who always made you feel better just by seeing you. Apparently there’s now one at our surgery who is so handsome the same applies, but I haven’t met him yet.