Hi,

Do they have an online booking system?

I completed an online form with my concerns and a Dr called me the next day with an appointment that same day.

They then did a referral to the hospital for suspected cancer (although she said it didn't mean she thought it was cancer). I had an appointment with the hospital 3 weeks later. Now I have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment with the consultant.

I hope it helps. It's a pain trying to get through on the phone.

x

Hi,

Do they have an online booking system?

I completed an online form with my concerns and a Dr called me the next day with an appointment that same day.

They then did a referral to the hospital for suspected cancer (although she said it didn't mean she thought it was cancer). I had an appointment with the hospital 3 weeks later. Now I have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment with the consultant.

I hope it helps. It's a pain trying to get through on the phone.

x

Thank you 

No, all appointments have to be made by phone. They used to have an online system, but they suspended it when the pandemic started. 

I hope your appointment goes well XX 

Hi Jeni

My GP surgery went to this system (phone up on the day) for the same reason and you just couldn't get through at 8am.  I tried for 3 days, then luckily my GP had picked-up the endoscopy report and proactively dealt with it/arranged phone call.   It was incredibly frustrating - like they were denying me help/progress with my health.  

You need to pursue the GP route.  Tell them how many days you have been trying to phone and that you are on the school run at 8am.  Perhaps you might be able to have more success at 8am whilst the schools are off?  Failing that explain your symptoms to the receptionist if you can bear to (I know it's difficult and you are entitled to some privacy) and justify why you need an appt.  I've read another thread about this symptom and how it was ignored . . . . . .   Have you got someone who can phone on your behalf?    Does the GP have a triage system where you can speak to a nurse when all the appts are gone and you consider it urgent enough (it is urgent if you've been trying for days and can't see a dr).  Or ask to speak with the GP Practice Manager.   Or ask how you raise a complaint about not being able to get an appt?  

Failing that - walk into the minor injuries / A&E.  You're the most important person here, not the GP process.   Others on here have done this when all else fails.  

I don't think you'll get any luck with "private"  - you access private medicine through a referral from a GP or another NHS practitioner.  Private med just doesn't do daily care.   

Like others have said, the NHS used to have a commitment  to seeing anyone within 5 days.  There is a duty-of-care requirement on their part.  

Your situation really upsets me.  Good luck, and let us know how you get on.