"Appointments system"

Like many people all over Scotland and indeed the UK I am trying to get an appointment to see the GP.

This is only possible by calling on the day between 0830 and 1030.

System apparently is designed to ensure those needing seen are seen! Well at least until capacity is reached. Then you try next day and so on.

It is not possible to book a GP appointment for ongoing concern, need to discuss etc. That also joins the essential need on the day.

So you try. My GP practice have great GPs. When you finally get an appointment. Fantastic care.

All staff when you get to a person from reception to the care provider are excellent.

All seem to agree with the statement that getting an appointment isn’t working. But no one seems to have the control to change it.

So you call. Immediately engaged. You call, redial constantly engaged. Then brilliant you get through it rings, great. You then listen to a preamble of who  you would be better off seeing and then the last of the 5 options is book an appointment . Even better you hear it ring, more preamble and you will be put through to an advisor. Now you think you are there, but no, not to be, answer is sorry no advisor availed, call back later, then you go back through above again and again. I have been 1 hour into this repeat process.

So what makes this efficient? Those unwell are seeking help. How many give up, lose the will or unable to keep calling.

Why cannot it at the very least be a queue? Many GP practices have the system to do this and although frustrating you at least decide if being 2nd or 20th in the queue is worth waiting.

Why so much preamble? I appreciate deter time wasting but most of us are calling through need not for something to do.

No system meets demand. Many appointments could get prearranged. Suiting both practice and patient. It worked before. 

Aside from acute emergency - eg heart attack, bleeds etc -  you want to see your GP for illness that should not be going to a Ute hospital. No wonder A&E units are overwhelmed.

Please ask or realistically include patients in redesign. This needs to improve and function correct person correct care and correct place is vital to stop the overflow.

GPS need to see the patient. From my encounters they seem to recognise the delivery of appointments is not in a workable format. So let’s re look at it at my GP practice please.