Unbelievable.

[Barsel]

I contacted my GP surgery during the week to say I didn't have my Shingles vaccine 5 years ago and was given an appointment for today.
Got there and not a single person in the waiting room, not 1.
The nurse came out of 1 room and went into another, then another, then she went somewhere else before coming up to me to say she can't find the vaccine, so she doesn't think they have any!
I asked if someone else might know for sure and yes, but that person was on her lunchbreak so they will get in touch with me again to make another appointment.
Must have been there a good half hour, and the only people I saw was the nurse and the receptionist.
Made me wonder if the doctors are even there, and wouldn't you think they would have checked they had the vaccine before I got there?

[Ringlet]

Yes, they should have checked before bringing you to the surgery. I don't know what is going on in doctors' surgeries since the pandemic hit. They seem to be totally in confusion.
It's possible though that some of the staff may have been off sick or isolating.
But that doesn't excuse your wasted journey and wasted time.
You are right to be p****d off. I would be too.

[Patsy33]

I hate how people are being treated lately., Barsel. It's not good enough!
Hope you can get it sorted soon.

[Vagus]

Let me ask you a serious question...in reality, where do you think the GPs are, and what do you think they’re doing??

[Hopkirk]

The doctors might be out on home visits, or perhaps having lunch themselves. That would explain the empty waiting room.

[237SJ]

I presume the GPs are doing telephone consultations? Having said that, a friend of mine who is a nurse prescriber said that there is a shortage of GPs in some areas (mainly rural areas) Nobody wants the job apparently.

[Mamyalynne]

That sounds a poorly organised practice, last time I visited my surgery just before Christmas it was quite bustling.

Called for my BP check, then had bloods taken and a Med Pneumonia shot, a Meds review for good measure.

Only real difference was, it was very cold in there, all doors and windows open for good reason of course.

[dave50]

Anyone that doesn't have covid doesn't matter.

[Atheist]

dave50; I presume that you don't matter, then?

[237SJ]

"Anyone who doesn't have covid doesn't matter" I had really good service from the NHS when I had a potential melanoma. I was seen really quickly (on a bank holiday evening) I have also been to a covid hot hub for antibiotics. Maybe I`m just lucky in where I live but the NHS is still functioning (or it was when I needed it) Our GP's waiting room is empty because all of the time wasters and no-shows have been filtered out.

[pat2604]

Personally, I have been very impressed with our medical practice right through the pandemic. It seems that smaller surgeries have struggled. Our medical practice covers our small town and surrounding villages. We have no alternative surgeries to go to. It's very well organised.Yes, I would be cross if this happened to me.

[237SJ]

I got a UTI from swimming with manatees in a river in November. Cost me $145 to see a nurse, plus $13 for the antibiotics. The NHS isn't all bad.

[tiggerblue10]

They should have confirmed they had the vaccine before allowing you to book the appointment.

[douglas9401]

Imagine the outcome if he'd been tense.

[pat2604]

We are a country of complainers - I wouldn't choose to live anywhere else.

But yes I agree they should have checked. But mistakes happen especially when staff are short and there's a pandemic.

[237SJ]

"I wouldn't choose to live anywhere else" God, I would!

[pat2604]

Well, I've travelled a fair bit and nowhere yet that I would live. But there might be somewhere out there I could have settled when younger. I'm very satisfied with North Norfolk! ;0).

[Barsel]

Well, I wasn't cross, mistakes happen.
I was more concerned about the weather, the ground was treacherous and it turned out I needn't have bothered going.
Perhaps I might try phoning them next time to make sure they have it.

[tonyav]

Perhaps I might try phoning them next time to make sure they have it.

I would after todays performance, Barsel.

[Barsel]

I will Tony.

[tonyav]

Could well save you a lot of wasted time.