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[dahliagirl]

My doctors used to have 5 gps and I used to see my own, unless I was in a hurry and saw whoever was free.

Now they have another surgery and there are about 10 doctors on the list, plus others - maybe they do not update the list of non-partners, or they are locums or whatever - don't know.

Now I can book appointments online so can see who the doctors are but there is not an appointment for the next week and a half.  There will probably be some appointments if I ring up, but that would have to be urgent.  When I had to ring up for urgent appointments post surgery, I saw the duty doctor on the same day or got a phone call and was fitted in outside the appointment system.  I have also rung up at 6pm and been seen at 6.30pm for a kidney stone (actually, husband did the ringing - I was out of it!) so emergency coverage is good.

If I want to see a particular doctor, they only seem to be there for a couple of days (or less) every other week, so I have to choose an appointment way before I know I am going to need it - usually about 3 weeks but it has been 4.  I currently have two that I like and who seem to work the same way, so I try and see one of them.

[thorntrees]

We are very lucky with our surgery. It has 5 partner GPs plus others who work part time or as locums. We can make on line bookings, usually have to wait about 4/5 days for a particular Doctor but on the day appointments by phone with a queuing system so you know how many are on the line in front of you. The reception staff are always pleasant and helpful, we can get repeat prescriptions on line delivered either to home or the local chemist so we have no complaints at all. In fact as we have got older it is one of the reasons for staying put when we really ought to be thinking about moving to a smaller house/bungalow and to be nearer to our eldest daughter, the younger one having recently emigrated to Canada. The horror stories we read about the difficulties in some areas makes us wary though.

Thorntrees

[oldsheep]

thorntrees, you are so right. It's something people don't think about when they move, or not when they're younger. I've been lucky on my 2 moves abroad as got brilliant GPs but had I moved 2 streets away from here when we came to London, I'd have got the choice of 2 excellent GP surgeries. Both are in the neighbouring borough so out of my address's catchment area. They won't bend the rules on that for any new patients. You can choose your specialist and hospital now but not your GP.

[Taz2]

Blimey Taz, and I thought 60 a week was bad, that's an average of 90+.  No wonder suggestions are made now and again about charging patients for missed appointments.  I have to say I'm beginning to think it's a good idea!

S x

Me too! I guess it depends on the size of the practice as to whether 90 missed appointments per week is exceptionally high? Ours has twelve doctors each with 2,000 patients

Taz x

[SueRoe]

Reading all these replies to my initial query makes me realise how lucky I am in the practice I'm registered with. I too, thorntrees, when considering whether or not to move house, have taken access to a decent GP surgery into account - especially as the area we're most likely to move to has a poor reputation for GP appts and a truly crappy hospital ! The trouble some ladies are having getting GP appts and prompt help/advice must be making a difficult time of life much worse.

[CLKD]

We have stayed put as we have access to a good GP, a very good Practice Nurse and I love our Dentist 

[croxie]

I've got a 5 min walk to our local surgery, however "my" GP only works Fridays and sometimes I can make an appointment with her in beforehand, sometimes
not. Depends on who answers the phone at the reception (which is a bit weird).
Most of the time you call in the morning to get an appointment the same day though.

It happened a few times when I've had an appointment given to me a couple of days earlier that it's been cancelled by the GP and no one lifts a finger
to call and tell me. Always finds out from the receptionist when I get there. So if it's possible I rather call on a Friday morning and get my appointment
the same day. At least I know then if my GP is there or not that Friday.