Getting a doctor's appointment.

[Fly]

I was unwell before xmas for a couple of days, a bit iffy over xmas and at the meet up, and have had 3 similiar instances since.
A work colleague mentioned my symptoms sounded like low blood pressure. I phoned my doctors today.
I don't need an appointment apparently, I can have my blood pressure done in the reception area, private little corner 
So I called after work. My BP was a little teeny weeny bit high. They advised I sat there for 5 and did the test again.
It had gone up LOL. So now I've got to see a doctor for a routine BP check, just in case the machine reading was out.
Here's the good bit, the first appointment available that suits me with my working life is the 1st of April. 3 weeks time.
That includes the late surgery appointments, as late as 7.00pm two days a week.

If I get another bout of plague in the meen time, I'll have to take time off work to make an appointment. 
There's something wrong with the system when your poorly and can't get to a doctor.

[Stuart]

I tend to have to ring up on the day, even to make follow-up appointments. I occasionally get a receptionist who asks "Is it an emergency?" to which my answer is always "I was rather hoping the doctor might have an opinion on that."

[Fly]

I've been told I can phone for an emergency appointment LOL
I have to phone at 8.00am on the day. By the time I get through, all the spots are gone. Ridiculous !!

[Old Cruser]

We can struggle at times as well.

The last appointment I had was a couple of weeks ago and I made it three weeks in advance, when I checked in I was told that the date appointment had been made for the same date but in March!

Obviously the receptionist had put in the wrong month.
I couldn't help but blurt out ' but that's silly, my meds run out in a couple of days!
The GP actioned a repeat and I kept the date in March to see him.

Whilst in another practise the young person I have been supporting would have to wait weeks to see his GP only to find when we arrived he had been given a different GP.
This change of GP's didn't do the Y/P any good at all as he doesn't relate well to people.

Seems to be happening a lot.

[Big Dave]

You think that's bad - after it was discovered I had heart problems during my pre-op assessment in February for prostate surgery, my operation was postponed and my surgeon referred me to a cardiology specialist at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. He requested an urgent appointment. The earliest one offered was in June!

Only after making a formal complaint to the hospital management could he get my case changed from 'routine' to 'urgent' and I saw the cardio consultant on Monday. The cardio consultant wants me to have more heart scans but they can't be done before my next appointment with my surgeon which is next Monday so I'm no nearer having surgery or even knowing if I'm OK to have it.

What a mess the NHS is in. By comparison, getting a doctor's appointment in Chesterfield is a doodle...

[Old Cruser]

This is appalling Dave, if they can't give prompt service to urgent cases others don't stand much of a chance.

Last year someone I know was taken into hospital as an emergency after being treated for depression by a GP when it was in fact a brain tumour.
Family stepped in and got a second opinion hence the rapid admission to the Royal hospital.

Things then moved very slowly from the Hallamshire at the time and information had to be continually 'chased up' by family.
The tumour they were told was at the front.
Eventually an operation was done and it was thought by family that the entrance into the head was in a strange place.
But hey - they were not neuro's.

At this point I have to add that the care of the person in the Hallamshire was excellent and everyone was very impressed.

The family only found out when they went to western park for radiotherapy that the tumour was infact 'at the back' hence were the scar was from the operation.

The mind boggles!
Our lives in their hands - it's frightening

Dave, I do hope they will move on quickly for you and your family to get this treated. let us all know how you get on Dave.
Thinking of you. x

[Old Cruser]

I was unwell before xmas for a couple of days, a bit iffy over xmas and at the meet up, and have had 3 similiar instances since.
A work colleague mentioned my symptoms sounded like low blood pressure. I phoned my doctors today.
I don't need an appointment apparently, I can have my blood pressure done in the reception area, private little corner 
So I called after work. My BP was a little teeny weeny bit high. They advised I sat there for 5 and did the test again.
It had gone up LOL. So now I've got to see a doctor for a routine BP check, just in case the machine reading was out.
Here's the good bit, the first appointment available that suits me with my working life is the 1st of April. 3 weeks time.
That includes the late surgery appointments, as late as 7.00pm two days a week.

If I get another bout of plague in the meen time, I'll have to take time off work to make an appointment. 
There's something wrong with the system when your poorly and can't get to a doctor.

Fly just sitting waiting to see the gp or have blood pressure monitored can push up blood pressure even if we feel ok.
Hope you also get sorted - just a thought but have you looked at diet, to see if there is a pattern after eating/drinking something.
I don't know what symptons low blood pressure causes apart from fainting.

[Scimitar]

My Wife's Doctors won't accept repeat prescriptions via there website any more unless you turn up at the surgery with photo I.D., and they will then give you a logon I.D, and password. My Wife has no photo I.D. - no driving license, passport etc. Bank Card - yes.
Yet my Doctors (using the same online service) do not request photo I.D.
Why put these complications into an already stressed out, and withering service?
If your own GP service does not know their patients already - why provide ID?
Barmy

[Old Cruser]

We have to collect ours from the surgery. The elderly, sick, disabled can have meds delivered