Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
GP (Not So) Merry Go Round
1 - I have blood tests
2 - I need to know results because my medication may need to be adjusted.
3 - I go to GP surgery and ask for results
4 - Receptionist tells me I must see doctor to discuss
5 - I ask for appointment
6 - They tell me I cannot book an appointment. I must call the triage number at 8.30am.
7 - I call at 8.30am. I cannot get through. I try again the next day. Repeat step 7 for a few days.
8 - Go to step 3 and repeat until you lose patience and vent on harringayonline.
I love the NHS and don't want to knock it, but this is ridiculous. Advice anyone?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Catherine Smith on
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Put in letter of complaint to surgery
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In my experience it is currently better to visit the surgery soon after 8.30 in order to get into the triage system (a queue of I think 30 patients who will be phoned back by a doctor), as you can phone the number >20 times and never get through. This isn't what they say you should do, but it worked last time I did it - there was no queue at all in the surgery.
The triage system works well if you can get into it - but not if you can't....
(from your description of the process I assume you are talking about the same GPs that I'm registered with)
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I am registered with Bridge House in Umfreville Road and they operate a similar process, although I have always been luckier with getting through in the mornings. However, they will also pass on emails to the GPs, and you can sometimes arrange a phone call with a GP to save needing to get an appointment (depending on what needs to be discussed, obviously).
If you are also with Bridge House, or if your surgery will accept emails, you could try that? An email asking for your test results because you can't get an appointment, and a phone call from a GP if it is necessary to discuss them? The GP may still want to see you of course, but it might be worth a try.
Good luck!
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I'm also registered with Bridge House - I haven't tried email yet though...
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Could you possibly pass on the email address as I'm also registered there.
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Sorry, I have only just seen this. In case you see this, the email address is bridgehouse.reception@nhs.net.
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My surgery has a nurse that patients can call for blood test results. Maye yours should too.
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Bridge House doesn't offer an on-line system for urgent appointments, and when I've looked at their on-line appointments they have almost nothing up there (e.g. they are missing most of the staff).
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It's maddening isn't it. Especially as 8.30am is the precise time I do the school run. Why they can't add your name to the following morning's triage list is the part that I find particularly frustrating. You already know you need your blood results but you are forced to call back the next day.....why? Maybe there's a logical explanation but I can't see what it is. I think there are a couple of practice nurses who are HoL members - perhaps they can shed some light on it. I might find it easier to accept if I understood the reasoning behind it.
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Swap to West Green surgery, they are really well set up (and have a specific lunchtime slot for calling to get blood work results over the phone). Their catchment starts bottom left corner of the ladder (as you look at it on a map).
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Permalink Reply by TTTH on
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I'm on a similar not so merry go round at the Heron Practice and I am looking to change. Changed from Umfreville about 4 years ago (after 9 years) and wondering if I have run out of good options in this area. Has umfreville improved much or is West Green the surgery of choice?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I changed from Bridge to Heron about 12 months ago (the GP care at Bridge was excellent but I just couldn't get an appointment) and my experience at The Heron has been really positive including online appointments, incredibly fast hospital referrals, useful health advice and prescriptions emailed straight to my local pharmacy. I think the problem for all London GP practices is simply the number of patients registered. I find that Parade Chemist on Green Lanes is brilliant for minor illness advice so tend to use them, saving up the more serious stuff for my GP
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