Accessing GP appointments - Link for feedback

[Sue]

Lynne Wrote:

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> I went to the Crystal Rd practice at 8.00 this

> morning only to be told that they didn't accept

> face to face bookings, I had to ring. No-one had

> ever mentioned this to me before on either of my

> attempts to get an appointment. So I stood there

> and she reluctantly booked me a telephone

> appointment. This info. must have come as a

> surprise to the people queuing up behind me too.

> no wonder one has to sit so long at the phone if

> that's the only way you can get seen.

But surely it's because they are trying to minimise face to face contact in the present Covid situation?

Certainly the policy should be better communicated, but it's completely understandable, surely?

[first mate]

We are told there are simply not enough GPs to cater for everyone.

On that basis an online system makes sense but if it is sensitive information this will put people off going this route, I'd think.

I guess scenarios like having a backache that won't go is okay but others not. Plus, in terms of practice small print and shared care records, who can access this info, where is it kept etc...

Bear this in mind https://www.totalhealth.co.uk/blog/nhs-patients-given-until-23rd-june-prevent-sharing-their-medical-records

Nigello Wrote:

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> You can go online to book an appointment with

> minimum effort and little time spent. You fill in

> all the usual details and then are prompted to

> write your ailment, etc. You then get a message

> back saying you have an appointment later that day

> or the following day. It may not work for all

> patients all the time but in this case, and in

> others, I have found it easy and worthwhile (so

> saying it is ridiculous for one patient doesn't

> paint the whole picture, however irksome that is

> for the person for whom it failed).

[Pugwash]

Go to the surgery, when you get to near the front of the queue, ring them on your phone!!!!

[KalamityKel]

Pugwash Wrote:

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> Go to the surgery, when you get to near the front

> of the queue, ring them on your phone!!!!

And then prove how long it takes to get through... if ever. ;-)

[richard tudor]

I have been holding on at number 1 to book a telephone consultation for 23 minutes. DMC Crystal Palace Road.

Just been answered 30 minutes at no 1.

Its a joke.

[Nigello]

The DMC system changed and is more cumbersome, I agree. Some of the workers there are lovely, though, once you get through. Only thing you can do is write to them and CC the local MP.

[James Barber]

The system is in crisis.

I know a number of GP's. They all work for their own practices and not GP companies with multiple practices.

They work their socks off. One goes to work 5am every Saturday to work on the huge volume of paperwork each practice has these days before seeing patients. Two are retiring early 50's due to the pressure.

The system GP's work within is broken. Some making fortune by not focusing on patients and creating GP groups of practices the DMC"s of this world. The ones worried about serving patients well are being flattened and squished. Some are then giving up and selling out to those mega GP groups which increasingly are US owned. Many find it hard now to enjoy work feeling constantly they're not being allowed to do the best for their patients. Fortunately they still get some satisfaction from making enough people better to stick at it.

I read that GP's now have 20% more patients on their lists. And this is from more UK people and fewer doctors wanting to be GP's. Most GP's don't want so many patients or admin.

[Cora]

A reminder that if you are having problems this is the link to complain:

https://cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care

[Callie]

Lynne Wrote:

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> I went to the Crystal Rd practice at 8.00 this

> morning only to be told that they didn't accept

> face to face bookings, I had to ring. No-one had

> ever mentioned this to me before on either of my

> attempts to get an appointment. So I stood there

> and she reluctantly booked me a telephone

> appointment. This info. must have come as a

> surprise to the people queuing up behind me too.

> no wonder one has to sit so long at the phone if

> that's the only way you can get seen.

It does say on their website not to come in unless you have been asked to. As far as I am aware this is the same for all local practices, everything is done by phone or online & if the gp needs to see you face to face they then give you an appointment to come in.

[Dimelda]

To Callie: Not quite correct. At the practice I use (in Clapham), patients without an appointment can still walk into the practice. It would seem that some practices are different from others.

[Sue]

Dimelda Wrote:

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> To Callie: Not quite correct. At the practice I

> use (in Clapham), patients without an appointment

> can still walk into the practice. It would seem

> that some practices are different from others.

Clapham isn't local to the people in East Dulwich using this forum, though, so I think Callie may well be correct.