It's getting much worse now trying to get one. This morning I
started dialing at 08:29 before they'd switched over from the overnight
message to answering calls. I dialed about every � minute and kept
getting the 'busy' beeps each time until 08:40 when I got through and
was told that I was number 9 in the queue. I was in the queue until
08:50 and was then told that all today's appointments were now booked.
Now those appointments are serviced by two small medical centres about a
mile apart, so I reckon they should have 4 - 6 GPs available. They did
tell where there was a walk in centre that I could use, but they are
several miles away and evenings only.
I presume the other alternatives are '111', '999' or 'A & E'. I
suppose I could try and chat to a pharmacist as well, but it certainly
ain't easy.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

On 25/03/2022 in message <ja5kdnFfj2nU1@mid.individual.net> Flyiñg Ñuñ
2°22 + wrote:

>It's getting much worse now trying to get one. This morning I started
>dialing at 08:29 before they'd switched over from the overnight message to
>answering calls. I dialed about every ¼ minute and kept getting the
>'busy' beeps each time until 08:40 when I got through and was told that I
>was number 9 in the queue. I was in the queue until 08:50 and was then
>told that all today's appointments were now booked. Now those appointments
>are serviced by two small medical centres about a mile apart, so I reckon
>they should have 4 - 6 GPs available. They did tell where there was a
>walk in centre that I could use, but they are several miles away and
>evenings only.
>I presume the other alternatives are '111', '999' or 'A & E'. I suppose
>I could try and chat to a pharmacist as well, but it certainly ain't easy.

Very similar experience here sadly.

It's worth considering '111' as (a) they might be able to reassure you
and/or (b) they have the authority to insist that a GP speaks to you
within 24 or 48 hours. You may have to accept the latter can piss the
surgery off a bit!

--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
If you ever find something you like buy a lifetime supply because they
will stop making it

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + pretended :
> It's getting much worse now trying to get one.

I never fail to get in the queue at every attempt, then the long wait
until I become number one. Most commonly, I need a face to face nurse
appointment and not for a week or two hence, so not difficult to get.

On Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:24:29 GMT, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

> Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + pretended :
>> It's getting much worse now trying to get one.
>
> I never fail to get in the queue at every attempt, then the long wait
> until I become number one. Most commonly, I need a face to face nurse
> appointment and not for a week or two hence, so not difficult to get.

My surgery will ring you back when your number reaches the front of the
queue. Saves a lot of phone charges.
--
Jim S

Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
> Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + pretended :
>> It's getting much worse now trying to get one.
>
> I never fail to get in the queue at every attempt, then the long wait
> until I become number one. Most commonly, I need a face to face nurse
> appointment and not for a week or two hence, so not difficult to get.
>
I think I've only ever got into the queue at the first attempt and that
was ages ago. My worry is that now they seem to have less than 10
appointment slots left after they've only had the line open for a measly
10 minutes. I thought it was bad before we'd ever heard of covid-19.
In those I'd drive to the surgery at around 08:15 and be 1st in the
physical queue and always got an appointment for the same day. Then as
today our Medical centre would not allow anyone but the GP him/her self
make a future appointment
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

Jim S wrote:
> On Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:24:29 GMT, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
>
>> Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + pretended :
>>> It's getting much worse now trying to get one.
>>
>> I never fail to get in the queue at every attempt, then the long wait
>> until I become number one. Most commonly, I need a face to face nurse
>> appointment and not for a week or two hence, so not difficult to get.
>
> My surgery will ring you back when your number reaches the front of
> the queue. Saves a lot of phone charges.
>
I have unlimited calls and texts on my mobile account, so waiting on
line is only inconvenient, not costly.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

Jeff Gaines wrote:
> On 25/03/2022 in message <ja5kdnFfj2nU1@mid.individual.net> Flyi�g �u�
> 2�22 + wrote:
>
>> It's getting much worse now trying to get one. This morning I
>> started dialing at 08:29 before they'd switched over from the
>> overnight message to answering calls. I dialed about every � minute
>> and kept getting the 'busy' beeps each time until 08:40 when I got
>> through and was told that I was number 9 in the queue. I was in the
>> queue until 08:50 and was then told that all today's appointments
>> were now booked. Now those appointments are serviced by two small
>> medical centres about a mile apart, so I reckon they should have 4
>> - 6 GPs available. They did tell where there was a walk in centre
>> that I could use, but they are several miles away and evenings only.
>> I presume the other alternatives are '111', '999' or 'A & E'. I
>> suppose I could try and chat to a pharmacist as well, but it
>> certainly ain't easy.
>
> Very similar experience here sadly.
>
> It's worth considering '111' as (a) they might be able to reassure you
> and/or (b) they have the authority to insist that a GP speaks to you
> within 24 or 48 hours. You may have to accept the latter can piss the
> surgery off a bit!
>
I might give 111 a try next time.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

On Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:38:54 -0000, "Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 +"
<flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:

> It's getting much worse now trying to get one. This morning I
>started dialing at 08:29 before they'd switched over from the overnight
>message to answering calls. I dialed about every ¼ minute and kept
>getting the 'busy' beeps each time until 08:40 when I got through and
>was told that I was number 9 in the queue. I was in the queue until
>08:50 and was then told that all today's appointments were now booked.
>Now those appointments are serviced by two small medical centres about a
>mile apart, so I reckon they should have 4 - 6 GPs available. They did
>tell where there was a walk in centre that I could use, but they are
>several miles away and evenings only.
> I presume the other alternatives are '111', '999' or 'A & E'. I
>suppose I could try and chat to a pharmacist as well, but it certainly
>ain't easy.

I seem to be incredibly lucky. My GP has gone to triaging over the
phone and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for the phone to
be answered and the triage calls me back within the day, and usually a
couple of hours. I find talking to them is often sufficient but if
they want to see me it can be the same day but might be the next
(depending on when the triage call takes place).

Two other anecdotes. We had a friend who, after we moved here, also
moved. She had a very complex auto immune condition and a flare up not
long after she moved here and registered with our GP had them
scurrying around but what blew our friend away was after a couple of
days of not hearing from her (she knew her condition well so was able
not to need them after the initial flurry) they phoned her to make
sure she was OK. She had come from near Gatwick and she had never had
her GP call her there!

The other anecdote was waiting to be discharged from our hospital in
December 2020, after a bowel cancer op, there were two other gentlemen
also waiting to be picked up. They were discussing their GPs and one
was rather non-commital about his whilst the other one, who it turned
out had the same GP as me, couldn't praise them enough.

I should add that it's not just my GP. Take my bowel. I got the
bi-annual test, completed it, and with about a week had a letter
saying "come for a colonoscopy". That was followed by a CT scan, a
visit to the specialist all within 3-4 weeks. The op was then
scheduled for a month later which happened on time since when I've had
several follow ups and all whilst covid was raging.

There are a few places where things work.

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:30:36 +0000, Graham Harrison wrote:
>
> Two other anecdotes. We had a friend who, after we moved here, also
> moved. She had a very complex auto immune condition and a flare up not
> long after she moved here and registered with our GP had them scurrying
> around but what blew our friend away was after a couple of days of not
> hearing from her (she knew her condition well so was able not to need
> them after the initial flurry) they phoned her to make sure she was OK.
> She had come from near Gatwick and she had never had her GP call her
> there!

When Mum was being cared for by us at our home her GP would ring us to
ask how *we* were coping. He had separate calls to Mum.
>

>
> I should add that it's not just my GP. Take my bowel. I got the
> bi-annual test, completed it, and with about a week had a letter saying
> "come for a colonoscopy". That was followed by a CT scan, a visit to the
> specialist all within 3-4 weeks. The op was then scheduled for a month
> later which happened on time since when I've had several follow ups and
> all whilst covid was raging.

Sounds like the same experience my wife has though her initial diagnosis
and treatment was pre Covid all floow-ups have been arranged promptly and
on schedule.

Macmillan support has also been incredible. They are my chosen support
charity on smile.amazon.co.uk.

--
david

Graham Harrison wrote:
> On Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:38:54 -0000, "Flyi�g �u� 2�22 +"
> <flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:
>
>> It's getting much worse now trying to get one. This morning I
>> started dialing at 08:29 before they'd switched over from the
>> overnight message to answering calls. I dialed about every � minute
>> and kept getting the 'busy' beeps each time until 08:40 when I got
>> through and was told that I was number 9 in the queue. I was in the
>> queue until 08:50 and was then told that all today's appointments
>> were now booked. Now those appointments are serviced by two small
>> medical centres about a mile apart, so I reckon they should have 4
>> - 6 GPs available. They did tell where there was a walk in centre
>> that I could use, but they are several miles away and evenings only.
>> I presume the other alternatives are '111', '999' or 'A & E'. I
>> suppose I could try and chat to a pharmacist as well, but it
>> certainly ain't easy.
>
> I seem to be incredibly lucky. My GP has gone to triaging over the
> phone and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for the phone to
> be answered and the triage calls me back within the day, and usually a
> couple of hours. I find talking to them is often sufficient but if
> they want to see me it can be the same day but might be the next
> (depending on when the triage call takes place).
>
> Two other anecdotes. We had a friend who, after we moved here, also
> moved. She had a very complex auto immune condition and a flare up not
> long after she moved here and registered with our GP had them
> scurrying around but what blew our friend away was after a couple of
> days of not hearing from her (she knew her condition well so was able
> not to need them after the initial flurry) they phoned her to make
> sure she was OK. She had come from near Gatwick and she had never had
> her GP call her there!
>
> The other anecdote was waiting to be discharged from our hospital in
> December 2020, after a bowel cancer op, there were two other gentlemen
> also waiting to be picked up. They were discussing their GPs and one
> was rather non-commital about his whilst the other one, who it turned
> out had the same GP as me, couldn't praise them enough.
>
> I should add that it's not just my GP. Take my bowel. I got the
> bi-annual test, completed it, and with about a week had a letter
> saying "come for a colonoscopy". That was followed by a CT scan, a
> visit to the specialist all within 3-4 weeks. The op was then
> scheduled for a month later which happened on time since when I've had
> several follow ups and all whilst covid was raging.
>
> There are a few places where things work.
>
Yes you are really very lucky. After saying that, my cardiologist
arranged a telephone appointment to discuss the results of the
trans-thoracic-echocardiogram I had in January. All seemed well and he
said he would arrange my next scan and contact nearer the time in
December. I don't know whether he was feeling a bit guilty of us not
having had a face to face meeting for 3 years, but out of the blue he
arranged for me to have a 48 hour ECG monitor fitted on Friday April 1st
at 2:100 PM. So he seems to be keeping a watchful eye on me. It would
have been nice though if he or his secretary had 'phoned me to explain
his thinking, although it's an after thought, since I mentioned in the
telephone appointment that my heart rate was still pretty low and my BP
monitor always tells me that I have an irregular beat. But it's been
like that now for several years. First time I saw him ~5 years ago he
did say to me that " someone with your body fitness, shouldn't worry
about a low pulse rate". I presume he was referring to the fact that I
have and have had for years a very good BMI (never have been
overweight) and of course I have never smoked. Apart from that I can't
think of anything that is particularly special about my fitness. I
never feel particularly fit these days.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

on 25/03/2022, Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + supposed :
> My worry is that now they seem to have less than 10 appointment slots left
> after they've only had the line open for a measly 10 minutes.

My surgery put days allocation of appointments for the following two
weeks up on line, at 8am, but they are quickly snapped up. They do hold
back some for later and some for emergencies the same day, but you have
to convince staff of the urgent need first. A few minutes after 8am,
the appointments have been snapped up, either via the phone or online.
At least the online version allows you to see all of those which are
available, their times and surgery locations.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + explained :
> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..

Hobbits?

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 16:26:37 +0000, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

> Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + explained :
>> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
>
> Hobbits?

Hobbits are habitual hobbies.

--
david

Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
> on 25/03/2022, Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + supposed :
>> My worry is that now they seem to have less than 10 appointment
>> slots left after they've only had the line open for a measly 10
>> minutes.
>
> My surgery put days allocation of appointments for the following two
> weeks up on line, at 8am, but they are quickly snapped up. They do
> hold back some for later and some for emergencies the same day, but
> you have to convince staff of the urgent need first. A few minutes
> after 8am, the appointments have been snapped up, either via the
> phone or online. At least the online version allows you to see all of
> those which are available, their times and surgery locations.
>
The appointments that our medical centre have made available on line are
all booked up to 25/06/2022. They haven't yet added any further future
appointments to the list.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
> Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + explained :
>> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
>
> Hobbits?
>
I certainly reckon there's gremlins of some sort around. :(
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + <flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:
> Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
>> Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + explained :
>>> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
>>
>> Hobbits?
>>
> I certainly reckon there's gremlins of some sort around. :(

If you can’t get an appointment , ask for a GP to call you , if they then
think you need an appointment will arrange it for you ..

--
§mokey

Smokey wrote:
> Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + <flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:
>> Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
>>> Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + explained :
>>>> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
>>>
>>> Hobbits?
>>>
>> I certainly reckon there's gremlins of some sort around. :(
>
> If you can't get an appointment , ask for a GP to call you , if they
> then think you need an appointment will arrange it for you ..
>
I 'phoned my surgery this morning and got straight through immediately
less than 30 seconds after they opened the phone lines. Oh good I
thought I'll be talkiing to the receptionist quickly. Then an auto
message started saying they were sorry but all todays appointment slots
were taken. I phoned their sister and main surgery with exactly the
same response. I was at the surgery for my blood tests later that
morning and quizzed them about it. I was told that the answering
ststems at both surgeries were down as they had forgotten to renew the
contract with whichever company manages them. They'd managed to get it
all fixed and running by noon but the phlebotomist was able to answer
the simple questions I was supposed to ask my doctor.
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

In article <jae2s1F4489U1@mid.individual.net>,
Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + <flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:
> Smokey wrote:
> > Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + <flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com> wrote:
> >> Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:
> >>> Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + explained :
> >>>> Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
> >>>
> >>> Hobbits?
> >>>
> >> I certainly reckon there's gremlins of some sort around. :(
> >
> > If you can't get an appointment , ask for a GP to call you , if they
> > then think you need an appointment will arrange it for you ..
> >
> I 'phoned my surgery this morning and got straight through immediately
> less than 30 seconds after they opened the phone lines. Oh good I
> thought I'll be talkiing to the receptionist quickly. Then an auto
> message started saying they were sorry but all todays appointment slots
> were taken. I phoned their sister and main surgery with exactly the
> same response. I was at the surgery for my blood tests later that
> morning and quizzed them about it. I was told that the answering
> ststems at both surgeries were down as they had forgotten to renew the
> contract with whichever company manages them. They'd managed to get it
> all fixed and running by noon but the phlebotomist was able to answer
> the simple questions I was supposed to ask my doctor.

last week, I managed to see a doctor - he asked for a urine sample. Later
that day, I was asked to have a blood test since my urine has too much
glucose. 10 day wait for an appointment with the phlebotomist!

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 11:41:06 -0000, Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + wrote:

> Apart from that I can't
> think of anything that is particularly special about my fitness.

Badmington!!
--
Regards, Frogman.
In God we trust, ALL others pay CASH.
My website: http://www.itsmyspot.co.uk

Frogman wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 11:41:06 -0000, Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + wrote:
>
>> Apart from that I can't
>> think of anything that is particularly special about my fitness.
>
> Badmington!!

I packed that in 5 years. ago when I was 75. After having both eye's
cataracts repaired, I had great difficulty with balancing and timing my
shots. Isn't wasn't that much fun anymore. In addition to which I
seemed to have much stamina anymore. In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
There's no way that I could recommend it. :(
--
Heard messages are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°2¹ + wrote:

> In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
> There's no way that I could recommend it. :(

The alternative doesn't appeal too much either. :-(
--
Bri.
(W7 Desktop)

On 29/03/2022 16:55, Flyi�g �u� 2�2� + wrote:

............. In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
> There's no way that I could recommend it. :(

When the numbers on your birthday cards mount up to old age, methinks it
is better than the alternative.

--
Barb

BunnyHare wrote:

> On 29/03/2022 16:55, Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°22 + wrote:
>
>> In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
>> There's no way that I could recommend it. :(
>
> When the numbers on your birthday cards mount up to old age, methinks it
> is better than the alternative.

Another digit arriving next week too, Barb.
That'll make him just turned 18. :-)
--
Bri.
(W7 Desktop)

Bri. wrote:
> BunnyHare wrote:
>
>> On 29/03/2022 16:55, Flyi�g �u� 2�22 + wrote:
>>
>>> In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
>>> There's no way that I could recommend it. :(
>>
>> When the numbers on your birthday cards mount up to old age,
>> methinks it is better than the alternative.
>
> Another digit arriving next week too, Barb.
> That'll make him just turned 18. :-)
>
LOL
--
Heard melodies are sweet but those Unheard are sweeter.
FN 2�22+. Mungo Brandybuck of Buckland..
flyingnun@roseofwhite.plus.com

BunnyHare <bingham@lineone.net> wrote:
> On 29/03/2022 16:55, Flyi�g �u� 2�2� + wrote:
>
> ............. In two words, 'Old age' !!!!!
>> There's no way that I could recommend it. :(
>
> When the numbers on your birthday cards mount up to old age, methinks it
> is better than the alternative.
>

Soon to add another , I agree ..😂

--
§mokey