Hi everyone
My GP surgery has received a lot of criticism recently. I have, on numerous occasions over the last ten years, felt that the responding of staff there has been very poor and I have wondered about the recruiting process for staff, across the board. GP's have always been professional though I would say that compared to a decade ago they seem to respond to things in a more robotic manner, according to textbook, and show little critical thinking of their own or empathy. They seem bored and mostly they are younger. This isn't all GP's of course and I've always had a good relationship with my GP's in my life, never any complaints, until recently.
Anyway, I was not given my estradiol results since august. I have asked 3 receptionists and all of them saying that I need to book a routine appointment. For one reason or another those appointments didn't happen. Not all my fault, I did have one appointment booked that I missed but I was dealing with an elderly man who'd fallen in the street and waiting with him for an ambulance. Life happens and I only mention that because when rescources are tight, everyone starts blaming everyone else, and I was not to blame on that occasion. I accept things are difficult all round.
So I got to speak to a GP last week and she told me my estradiol was way too high. I accepted that as I was calling about another issue. I didn't ask for the numbers. But I think I have a right to see them.
I have just gone to the econsult system to make the request for them and it can only be used between 6am and 12pm. That's a half day. They are also saying all appointments must be in the mornings. I've always worked with whatever system is required to enable the surgery to function smoothly but for most of the working day they are unavailable to contact. Now I know it has to be before midday I will get it done, but it's odd to me that I cannot contact the surgery during the day (any part of that day). Most of these rules none of us have known about, it's always been possible to contact a GP surgery during daytime office hours.
Anyway, menopause issues are not the only issues I'm struggling with, I'm struggling with thryoid issues as well and don't feel the condition is being properly assessed or treated. With the fatigue I'm experiencing, large swathes of time pass by without me addressing these issues.
It's not just all that I've described, there's a lot of incompetency occurring on things to do with prescriptions. I had to stand there at reception and count dates on my fingers to prove to a receptionist that my repeat prescription was overdue. She was acting as if I was in the wrong and acting suspiciously. I know some patients may try to get hold of drugs for addiction etc, but that won't be the majority by any means and it's getting very stressful being spoken to by irritated staff who are responding to people as if they are annoying kids. Everyone in the queue at the surgery is sympathetic with everyone else these days. We are all feeling it.
With that said, I am wondering how bad things are across the country. I am wondering about finding another GP surgery but if this problem is everywhere now perhaps I should stay put.
Interested what other's think
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Topic: Before I change GP surgeries.. (Read 1998 times)