Redial is my friend, but for how long? (GPs)

Member Name: angelic2004

Product:	GPs
Date:	24/03/09 (211 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good doctor awaits me, good reception area with privacy.

Disadvantages: Appointment system is a nightmare

I have mixed feelings about my current surgery, although it is much better than my previous surgery. At the previous one I found it hard to even try and see my doctor, he's a bit on the scary side with that high tone of voice which makes you feel like your being told off and you know nothing at all. He just makes you feel so small. The reception area also put me off, it's just a desk with the seating quite near to it. So as you walk in a load of eyes stare back at you, I would feel somewhat intimidated by this, like I really shouldn't be there. That was not the worst of the Reception area, it is that fact that everyone could hear your personal details being given or asked for. Do I really want everyone to know my business?

I have some health problems which I did not think would be taken seriously, as I knew what my doctor's attitude was like. So I ended up leaving the surgery and joining a new one. I only joined this new one because it had a female doctor and thought I would feel somewhat comfortable in discuss my menstrual issues and that she would understand my problem much better. On joining the surgery I was given a form to fill in about my general health and contact details and was told after a week I could make an appointment to see the doctor, as the computer would be updated by then. I was expecting maybe a general check up with the nurse or something as a new patient but did not get one. I guess every surgery has their own way of doing things.

Reception is a big rectangle room with chairs and tables neatly set out with a section of toys at the back. They have a section of notice boards with information about the surgery and various health issues. Overall it looks clean. The receptionists are closed off so you just have a sliding window which they just slide across to talk to you. Much better then the open layout of the previous surgery, at least there is some privacy in giving details. I find the receptionists friendly on greeting you but I have a mixed opinion on how they are on the phone. They have like an intercom to call the patients to the rooms. I always find myself trying to concentrate to hear it, just worried in case I miss it completely. Sometimes reception can be noisy with people talking or with kids driving you mad as you are waiting to see the doctor.

Phoning for an appointment is like torture, especially when you really need to see your own doctor. Before I would be getting appointments maybe a week after I had phoned. Now it is impossible to get an appointment a week ahead. My own doctor told me to phone 2 weeks before to get an appointment, but sometimes this is not possible for me, I get so ill that I get confused at times. Getting an appointment has just got worse, my doctor only comes in for 2 days now, a Monday and Tuesday, so now reception have told me to ring after 8.30am to get an appointment on the day. This makes me feel stressed out more than usual. I have this fear I'm not going to get the appointment I need so badly. So being told to ring after 8.30am, I continuously pressed redial every 10 minutes to find the answer machine message saying for urgent problems call this and that number. This really stressed me out even more, she said call after 8.30 and no one is picking up the phone. Then about 9.15am I found an engaged tone, so like a mad woman I kept pressing redial every minute. Finally the phone was ringing and reception took their time to answer the call. Luckily I finally got an appointment for 4.00pm, panic over I can now relax. Heck, a person can get ill trying to get a routine appointment. Mum could see me literately getting obsessed to get the appointment. Ok so yesterday I found out that I should ring up around 9.15am to get through to the receptionist, why couldn't they just say instead of wasting my time and money trying to get through only to find the answer machine. I may need a new phone sooner than I think, that redial button may just stop working with obsessive use.

Waiting to see the doctor can vary, in the mornings I find I'll be waiting up to an hour sometimes, whereas in the afternoon around school's out I get to see my doctor much quicker and It is generally more quieter. I prefer afternoon appointments you don't feel like you going totally mad while waiting.

Getting to see the doctor, well I generally feel like napping in reception while waiting and have to pull myself together to discuss my issues with her. My doctor is an American, it's quite funny when you phone up and the receptionist refers her to "the American one" Do I really need to know she is American? As long as she is a doctor I don't care. She is actually quite good, she really takes time out to discuss problems. I think my consultations with her have been more than the usual 10 minute slot. Seeing her I feel somewhat relieved that someone has listened and is making the effort to help me in my time in need.

Overall, it is a good service when I finally get to see my doctor, but the whole process of trying to get an appointment is an extremely stressful one which I could do without, it is just making me feel even more ill.

Summary: Good service when you get to see GP