With staff shortages and the aftermath of the pandemic having piled additional pressures on the already strained NHS, many patients are finding it especially difficult to get an appointment.
For many, it's become the new norm to ring up as soon as their local surgery opens and wait in a lengthy queue for the reception desk.
Once they finally get through, they will all too often be told the surgery is fully booked for the day, and advised to try again the next day.
This has naturally led to understandable frustration, both for patients and NHS staff. Although many people long to get in and see their GP face-to-face, this currently isn't necessarily a guarantee.
With this in mind, a doctor has advised patients how they can still get themselves a face-to-face appointment.
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Writing for The Sun, Dr Zoe Williams advised a reader who felt as though they had to "jump through hoops with the reception", only to be told there were no available appointments.
First off, Dr Williams asked the reader to "please spare a thought for practice staff when you speak to them, adding, "you're entitled to feel annoyed but it is often beyond our powers to fix these huge issues and we are doing our best."
Make use of E-consults
E-consults are where patients fill out online forms and are asked questions about the issue. A GP should read the completed form within two to three days and respond with "an answer, call you or arrange a face-to-face consultation if necessary" according to Dr Williams.
She continued: "E-consults are a really useful tool, as patients can, for example, upload pictures of rashes or moles or other issues they think need to be looked at."
Book online if the issue isn't urgent
According to Dr Williams, some appointments are typically reserved for bookings made online, allowing patients to book without trying to get through to the reception desk.
She continued: "Always book as soon as you think you want to see a doctor. For example, with things like back pain, headaches, or mental health problems that have been going on for a while, don’t wait for things to get worse — book early using the online system."
Tell the receptionist what the issue is if it's more urgent
According to Dr Williams, this allows the receptionist to figure out who might be the best person for you to see, while giving doctors a much appreciated "heads up."
She added: "If you don’t feel comfortable with this, you can explain to reception that it is an urgent personal issue. They will note this down and it will be taken seriously."
Book yourself a double appointment if you have multiple issues to discuss
Dr Williams said: "If you’ve been waiting to see the doctor for a while, it’s possible other issues may have arisen and it may be tempting to ask the GP or nurse to deal with multiple issues in one ten-minute consultation.
"This is not a good idea, as it is probably impossible to deal with each of them thoroughly. My advice is to let the doctor know at the start there are multiple issues, as sometimes they’re connected — but then say which is the most important one you would like to focus on."
Try phoning the NHS helpline 111
According to Dr Williams, this helpline is especially useful if your problem is urgent or if you've suffered a minor injury. It may even be the case that you can visit a local walk-in centre or minor injuries unit on the same day as your call.
Consult with your pharmacist.
According to Dr Williams, pharmacists have been trained in minor illnesses and so they can provide health and wellbeing advice.
She said: "Pharmacists are often worth consulting — and if they can’t help you, they’ll let you know straight away so you can make an appointment with a doctor."
Do you want to share your experiences of waiting for a GP appointment? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
