Why is it so hard to get a doctors appointment?

[AlexAtkin]

Just checked mine (Sloan, Blackstock Road) and the next available appointment is 4th June.

 

They do open up same-day appointments in the morning by phone only but that's not very helpful when your medical conditions include insomnia, chronic fatigue and forgetfulness.

[Baron99]

I suppose with the lengthy wait for a Drs appointment, that's why you're encouraged to use the NHS walk-in clinic in the city. Although I remember from another recent thread, this looks as though it's marked for closure with the facilities moving to the Northern General.

[willman]

Our Dr's are trying to keep up with the times to make it easier to book - but when every month 138 people on average don't bother turning up for the appointment it beggars belief why they should do so .

[nightrider]

I suppose with the lengthy wait for a Drs appointment, that's why you're encouraged to use the NHS walk-in clinic in the city. Although I remember from another recent thread, this looks as though it's marked for closure with the facilities moving to the Northern General.

 

Yes I have been redirected there from my surgery before, will be a lot harder when its no longer somewhere central (and also somewhere I understand has severe problems with finding anywhere to park?).

[Jomie]

Care Navigation is a pilot scheme being run by some Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). This involves the reception staff asking for a brief outline of the problem. They are not being nosy - it is this new approach, care navigation.

 

Staff undertake specialist training to offer more choice on who to see in the practice and help the patient to access the right health professional.

 

Receptionists are not supposed to offer clinical advice or triage. They can offer the choice to see other specialists in the team who may have the expertise to deal with the problem. This is often quicker, without the need to see the GP. Some examples are physiotherapy, pharmacy, practice nurse and sometimes the secretaries.

 

Care Navigation should free up time for GPs to care for patients with complex or serious health conditions. It also means that the patient is seen by the most appropriate clinician.

 

I have seen how this works and it has saved a lot of time and effort. For instance, we needed a referral to a hospital consultant. The receptionist asked the GP to telephone at an appointed time and I was able to explain why we needed the referral. It was done immediately and the out patient appointment was just two weeks later.

 

If a patient prefers not to say what the issue is, they only have to say this to the receptionist. Clerical staff are bound by rules of confidentiality when taking up their post. Receptionists often work very hard and it is unlikely that they have time to give a second thought to a patent’s ailments once they have directed that person to the most appropriate department.

Edited May 28, 2018 by Jomie

[spilldig]

Our Dr's are trying to keep up with the times to make it easier to book - but when every month 138 people on average don't bother turning up for the appointment it beggars belief why they should do so .

 

Why is it that I am never seen on time if so many people are not turning up ?

[Jomie]

Spilldig - it’s unlikely that willman will know the answer to your specific problem. You could discuss this issue with your practice manager though.

Edited May 28, 2018 by Jomie

[spilldig]

Spilldig - it’s unlikely that willman will know the answer to your specific problem. You could discuss this issue with your practice manager though.

 

Absolutely not worth the trouble Jomie. It would make no difference.

[Jomie]

That’s a shame because you would then know why they are struggling to keep to appointment times. Are they short staffed? Some practices have difficulties because they service areas of social deprivation and high need. Good organisation can help things to run smoothly though. We’ve found that the Care Navigation system seems efficient and appointments usually run close to time.

[spilldig]

That’s a shame because you would then know why they are struggling to keep to appointment times. Are they short staffed? Some practices have difficulties because they service areas of social deprivation and high need. Good organisation can help things to run smoothly though. We’ve found that the Care Navigation system seems efficient and appointments usually run close to time.

 

I changed GPs so it is better now.