On my return to the UK, I found that the "new" GP to whom I had been assigned when my own GP "retired" (he still works as a locum...) had only stayed a few months and that I've been bounced to one of the other partners.... who I've seen before and would not ask for again (nuff said).
Whilst I was in quarantine, and starting to come up against issues in getting my first vax (now done), I rang the surgery to arrange a catch-up. I was asked what needed to be discussed and I said I was under post-op monitoring, needed to re-evaluate prescriptions, had a recent issue to discuss (and have recorded) and needed to discuss Covid and flu jabs, etc. "OK", I was told, "but we can't give you an appointment for call-back in the next 2 weeks, you'd best call at 0800 and get on the "daily list".
So, I tried this on 3 successive mornings, continually redialling for 10-15 minutes without getting through (they have an odd system, firstly you get the engaged tone, then, if you get through you are treated to a 3 minute useless mumble from the practice lead, then you are asked to indicate what you want, then you get a ringing tone and, eventually you get through) Finally, last Friday fortnight, I went online to book (as a backup) - there was NOTHING available!! I tried again on the Monday and got an appointment with a named doctor the following Friday week (last Friday). I checked the practice website and the named doctor is not listed......
Anyway, last Friday I got my callback, later than arranged, but hey! The voice at the other end introduced himself and asked why I had requested a call? Not a good start, if he hadn't read the reasons provided, what were the chances he's looked at my records? Well that was quickly answered - he had no idea about my previous history. So I told him about my post-op follow-up and that I had found on the website a letter from the hospital about my treatment that had not been delivered to me. "Oh dear", he said. I asked if the practice had answered the follow-up and he said he had no indication of this (i.e. NO) - and helpfully suggested I ring the Hospital to check (I'd never have thought of that!).
Then I said I had an outdated request from the Hospital for a blood-test and also presumed that "he" would also want one to check my medication after so long (18 months)... and he asked what type of blood-test I needed! Then he said to go to a website to book one - and this turns out to be a central NHS outpatient clinic 8 miles away!
Next I told him about the issues getting a first Covid jab - and the need to arrange a follow-up - "We don't do that, call 119". End. Then I asked about a flu jab and suddenly I was told to come to the surgery - and when I asked whether the flu jab could be given before the fill Covid vaccination has been completed, I got no answer - 3 times. You'd almost think they were being paid extra to do the Flu vaccination!!
I didn't even bother to discuss the latest issue with him, there seemed little point, I might as well ask Google. I accept that for some things a callback will suffice - but God help you if you have a problem and can't explain to the caller what you need...... because there's not a chance in Hell that they'll be able to diagnose anything unless you use the correct keywords. I'm also fairly certain that the caller has just been employed to provide callbacks and is NOT part of the surgery team or based in the area.
So I came away from this call with nothing concrete - links to NHS websites, no advice and no indication of any care about my previous history - I might as well have spoken to Alexa (and I think that's only a matter of time.... ) I later went online and renewed my prescription (as the block had been removed after 18 months without a check-up). Totally useless and worthless.
Since I now know nobody at that practice that I would wish to see and it is inconvenient for me (no parking nearby and obviously far too busy), I'm going to request a move to another surgery in a village the same distance away. I bet that'll be an uphill struggle!!
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