So many problems with GP practice ....

Jennerdysphoria

Sallyforth

I have experienced similar difficulties recently and can relate to all of the above. In the end I wrote what I considered to be a very polite letter to the practice manager and received a short, curt reply saying the practice could not engage in postal communications. So that was that!

I'm managing my condition with an 'I'll show you that I don't need you' mindset.

Crikey 'could not engage in postal communications' is a sinister development. Can they get away with that?

Another surgery in our town does not take appointments by phone, only online. The line for appointments opens at 8 am and shuts at 8.30 am so if you are still Number 5 in the queue at 8.30 am that's it for the day, apparently, according to neighbours who are with that surgery.
Some elderly patients or others with difficulties where they cannot use the internet don't know how to get appointments now. A friend tried for two days online but got cut off at 8.30 am so in the end went to the surgery and sat there until she was seen by a GP.

All these innovations may be convenient for the staff at the surgery but they are not at all convenient or helpful for sick patients.

I feel for you all struggling out there . I too have heart issues along with an autoimmune disease . One of the big problems I have is my inability to
Lose weight - and before you all comment I am existing on900 calories a day
And walk daily ! When I went to see my GP after trying everything , I was told that because of my drugs for depression and anxiety for which I have been on for 30+ years my metabolism has broken down and I will never lose weight , when I got upset my GP said” I have people with cancer who would love to be in your position) so now I feel I can’t go back and see what can be done be it a drug change etc! I truly felt as if I wasn’t worth their time

Our GP Surgery switched to EConsult 6 months ago. There was outrage on local social media and all the usual comments about seniors and the internet surfaced.

The truth is that the system works. All EConsult requests are triaged and given to most appropriate clinician. Most requests get a response the same day. If a GP face-to-face appointment is warranted, then a text is sent out with a link to make an appointment.

Anyone who struggles with the internet can call in or make a telephone call and the form will be filled in for them.

People do not like change but, in my view, this is a change for the better. It is far better than the 8 am telephone scramble to get through to the surgery.

Our surgery has also moved to Medlink for annual chronic condition reviews. This also seems to work.

The days of calling up to make an appointment to see a GP - whether it is necessary or not - are a thing of the past. We seniors need to embrace change.

RinseAndRepeat

Our GP Surgery switched to EConsult 6 months ago. There was outrage on local social media and all the usual comments about seniors and the internet surfaced.

The truth is that the system works. All EConsult requests are triaged and given to most appropriate clinician. Most requests get a response the same day. If a GP face-to-face appointment is warranted, then a text is sent out with a link to make an appointment.

Anyone who struggles with the internet can call in or make a telephone call and the form will be filled in for them.

People do not like change but, in my view, this is a change for the better. It is far better than the 8 am telephone scramble to get through to the surgery.

Our surgery has also moved to Medlink for annual chronic condition reviews. This also seems to work.

The days of calling up to make an appointment to see a GP - whether it is necessary or not - are a thing of the past. We seniors need to embrace change.

True. But we still shouldn't be having problems with picking up our prescriptions, something that can't be done on the internet...

GP should be able to synchronise medication and get it sorted for the pharmacy. I would complain about the rudeness...that is just not on....

I both emphasize and sympathise with OP, having experienced most of her problems at different times. I've been with the same surgery since the age of 4 (now nearly 74) and seen it through many, many changes in their systems. BUT, and this is a crucial BUT, if they try something new and too many people struggle with it and/or complain they take steps to amend it. Not immediately of course, but it is well worth pointing out to them when their systems are not working for you. Nicely, of course. I have sometimes found that they can suggest an alternative method that suits me better.

Last year I was diagnosed with, and treated for oral cancer. The radiotherapy (temporarily thank goodness} caused a red raw mouth and difficulty in swallowing tablets (I choked several times). They would not prescribe liquid forms of some drugs due to the excessive cost. I'n afraid I lost my rag a bit with the GP concerned but to give him his due he discussed my situation with the senior GP and was given an increase in his monthly "prescribing limit". He actually rang me to apologise for his initial refusal - and is now my favourite GP!!!

None of this excuses what the OP has experienced when she is feeling so ill and out of the loop with it all. Dammit, it should be no surprise to anyone that there are more older people nowadays and many still contribute a great deal to society, but not everyone is a technological whizkid (or a "whiz" at much at all!) and not everyone has family and friends who can support them.

I do hope you get it all sorted soon.

I can empathise with op as I suffer from several diagnosed physical problems, and I often feel that the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing in my Gp surgery.
As a retired health professional of over thirty five years it really worries me as I’m getting older that we are becoming increasingly concerned about becoming ill not only because of natural reasons like pain and suffering but concerned that we don’t receive the proper healthcare that we need, don’t forget we have paid into the service all our working lives therefore we should not be treated as a burden.
Ps I also thought that butterandjam was a little harsh and unsympathetic, I hope she hasn’t worked in a caring profession

I’m sorry you’re having to go through that. I’m in Lancashire and I had a similar experience at my GP practice. One week following major cancer surgery and I rang to ask for prescription for painkillers, got similar attitude to what you had with yours, got the well you’ll have ring at 1pm then when I did I got you’ll have to ring at 8am and so on til I ended up calling my specialist nurse at the hospital who rang for me and got me an appointment for that day but I was ill in bed and they wouldn’t give me a phone appointment they made me go in. Sorry for long rant but point is I doubt other surgeries will be much better. The doctors and nurses are brilliant once you get past the gatekeepers. God luck I hope you feel better soon x

ruthiek
Your GP was out of order! You go with a problem which is affecting you and your health and ask for help and he more or less tells you other people are worse off than you, don't waste my time! Their problems are not your problems. Can you see another GP?

The days of calling up to make an appointment to see a GP - whether it is necessary or not - are a thing of the past. We seniors need to embrace change.
RinseandRepeat
I can assure you my neighbours are not old people who need to embrace change and they have commented how difficult it is to make an appointment online with their surgery because the slot is open for half an hour each morning only.

Our surgery has a phone line which is open for about an hour each morning for appointments but no doubt they will soon change to an online system.

How can receptionists triage? They are not medically qualified.

My GP surgery is wonderful, so how fortunate am I?

You certainly are! Maybe I should move!

I'm another who is satisfied with my GP. I consider myself very fortunate indeed. The practice has a 4.5 * rating.
Soon I shall be moving back to Shropshire. The house I'm buying is in the same GP catchment area as when I lived in the area years ago..
I'll be returning to my previous GP surgery, which also has a 4.5 * rating.
Both surgeries use the Accurx system for patients' communication.
This system is excellent.

Our surgery does nothing online. It’s all phone calls or if you get truly desperate, you go into the practice, where you may or not have any success. I’d love an online system, it would make life so much easier.

I think people in cities get better medical care and can change surgeries. Here we are stuck with a terrible outfit but can’t change because the excellent village surgeries accept only their own population. No doubt they know that, given the choice, we’d all be registering with them and overwhelming them.