nhs

[Chessman]

I've been off work for a week, with a bad back, today I went to make a follw up appointment with my GP, and even though he'd asked me to come back, he can't see me for another eight days, this obviously, will have repercussions at work,I pay over �200-00 pounds a month to the NHS, and even though I expect to wait a few days, I think eight days is exorbitant.

I'd like to know what A/Bers think.

[shaz-rla]

We frequently have to wait 8 days + to see a specific GP.  We are hit with a barrage of questions when first phoning and sometimes even the nurse phones us back to see if we really need to see a GP.  Give them their due though if it is one of my children they will fit me in on the same day.

[Chessman]

Thats true, I was thinking just about myself, (a bit selfish), my daughters Autistic, and the slightest thing, they see her, but its years since i've had to see a GP, and my gripe, is that If my work doesn't get a certificate, they won't pay me. so now I have to return to work unfit, with the danger of aggravating my back, and making it worse.

[loopey]

my baby had a scan in july and weve only just managed to get an appointment to see the consultant for the results....

[mimififi]

can you request telephone appointments from you drs?  We can, if you phone  up and its just a follow up, they have an hour a day set aside for the doctor to phone people for this reason.  He could write you the repeat certificate without you being there presumably, like they do for prescriptions?

I have to remember to make appointments at the time of leaving the surgury from the first appointment, because getting appointments when I want them for me (again, they are good with the kids, and were excellent in supporting me with my new baby who was a preemie) is like getting them to spin straw into gold!!!!

[Chessman]

Thanks mimififi, I did put in a wriiten request for a cetificate, the self cert ran out on Monday,but was told it wouldn't be ready until next Thursday, when I phoned work, they said it wasn't acceptable, and pay would be stopped until they got it, Back to the doctors, and the receptionist said they cannot put one in front of the others. so i'm a bit stuck, and in my original posting, I'm beginning to wonder what sort of service i'm paying for.

[loopey]

we can't make appointments in advance, you have to ring on the morning, which is a nightmare as at 8.30 the phone line goes berserk