I have begun having severe anxiety attacks recently and badly need to consult my GP about possible short-term medication. I have been a patient of that practice for over 25 years and allocated to a particular doctor for several years now.
The practice website advises that one can "pre-book a telephone call back from the GP 24 hours in advance using "Patient Online" services" but this is useless because there are never any appointments available when I go online. Alternatively, one is told to call the practice from 8am on the day that an appointment is needed but the appointments FAQs indicate that the practice can't cope with all the calls - and not everyone can afford to telephone if it means waiting in a long queue.
I have used the online system for repeat prescriptions and booking appointments for years but now find that, whatever time of day I go online to try to book one, there are never any appointments available to book. The website should tell patients at what time of day the next day's online appointments are made available, so that those using the online system - which the practice is actively encouraging us all to use - can have a chance to get an appointment.
The website's Appointments FAQs currently state that "It is still possible to come in and book an appointment at reception" but I've been told just the opposite, when I've tried to do this.
I would very much rather see my own GP but, although the FAQs also state that "Most doctors have regular weekly timetables. We will put these on the practice website...", I can't find any such timetables on the website.
At this rate, I'll end up so anxious that I have to use the emergency system to get to see any GP, let alone my own one. No-one wants that to happen, surely?
"Inability to book ANY online GP appointment"
About: The Lawson Practice The Lawson Practice London N1 5HZ https://www.lawsonpractice.nhs.uk/
Posted by sambawf55 (as ),
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Update posted by sambawf55 (the patient) 5 years ago
See more responses from Deborah Colvin