Forum Topic

Can you get a Doctors appointment?

The Grove Park Surgery's app says no appointments available, and when you call them, they say there is nothing for 4 weeks? Is this what's happening now with all GP surgeries, or is it particularly bad at Grove Park? We've been with them 30 years but struggling with the point of staying local if you can't get an appointment?

Simon Meyers ● 1561d47 Comments

We are in Kingston.  The Kingston Health Centre normally has same day face to face appointments if you telephone early enough (about 7.30)

James Roy ● 1561d

I’ve always been bemused as to why surgeries don’t adopt what the Wellesley Road surgery does. From 9-1030 you can walk in and wait to be seen, it may take a while, you probably won’t get your regular doctor(but they’re all good, so not really a problem) if you are  desperate to see a doctor that day you will be seen. Then at mid day, the  phone line  opens up for timed appointments the next morning. If your need isn’t pressing, you can book up to 4 weeks in advance depending on availability and your choice of doctor. It’s brilliant- all  surgeries should adopt it.

Jacqueline Whiston ● 1561d

Actually, the walk-in at Wellesley was cancelled some time ago and the Practice Manager tells me there are no plans to bring it back.  Appointments are made by phone, and frequently the phones are switched off so you can spend hours listening to a recorded voice "You are Number One in the queue".

David Darlow ● 1561d

Often 6 weeks or so for a routine appointment for me. If it’s urgent a GP will call back the same day and decide if you need to be seen.

David Turner ● 1561d

My GP’s surgery gave me face to face appointments through Covid, if necessary. They always answer the phone and reply to emails. They aren’t perfect but compared to sone stories I read they are amazing !

Maggie Dodge ● 1561d

And this Panorama tonight is something that everyone should watch to see sndbunderstand some of ehat is happening here in the UK.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61759641

Philippa Bond ● 1561d

Any chance you could summarize it for us Philippa?

Simon Pedley ● 1560d

It is about GPs practices being bought up by a particular American company.  They then appear to be employing fewer and less qualified staff who are unsupervised eg Health Care Assistants (HCAs) instead of Registered Nurses (RNs) etc.  It can also be very difficult to get to see a qualified Doctor.  It is a undercover Panorama.  There were also masses of medical notes and letters to Doctors but those dealing with them did not have the mefival knowledge yo feal with them.  Please watch it.

Philippa Bond ● 1560d

https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/brent-protesters-oppose-operose-gp-takeover-7920982It wasn't filmed at these surgeries but at another which can be found on the internet.  There was a big problem with patients trying to get appointments.

Philippa Bond ● 1559d

Obviously haven’t been in a while with this Covid Malarky! When things are ‘normal’ I hope they do bring it back- it was such a brilliant service if you needed to be seen that day.

Jacqueline Whiston ● 1558d

Unfortunately I don't think that hoping is enough.  Perhaps patients should be more active in letting them know what works for them - and what doesn't and why otherwise they may never know.  What happened to 'Patient First'?

Philippa Bond ● 1557d

Seek advice from your local Pharmacists. They get feedback all the time and are aware of particular shortcomings at local GP surgeries.

Jim Lawes ● 1557d

I think we need to give them a break from criticism covid was real and still is, first time in 100 years the  world has seen anything like it. Frustrating yes but so many industries are suffering post covid 🤞🤞🤞 the backlog is huge and it will take time to resolve. If you can afford to go privately and the need warrants it that will sort you and help the NHS.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1557d

For goodness sake Jayne stop this cr@p about the pandemic and first time in a hundred years stuff.  You may be able to brainwash yourself but not everybody else especially people who read snd are aware of what is happening in the rest of the world.  Medical people and anybody in the science world and more knew that there was a chance of a pandemic happening.  It has been written about enough.  There are risk assessments.  The reason for them is so they can be acted on.  There have been other pandemics.  What you do is prepare the best you can.  This was an expected sometime pandemic.Jim is right the pharmacists often know when there is a problem because they have to deal with patients who are having problems getting their prescriptions for medication from the surgery who are phoning them and then visiting the surgery because the surgery won't deal with them on the phone etc - going back and forth to get a medication that they need.  That is what I personally seen a pretty able friend struggling with.  Yes, medical staff did a brilliant roll out of jabs under difficult circumstances but unless they have a full team and that team is fully trained and fully supported there are likely to be problems.  Seeing that receptionist the other night being told that she can't say that the doctor wasn't there on site and learning that he was covering two practices and that there weren't any free appointments was awful.  You are just pushing private medicine.  It isn't the answer.  We are already bring bombarded on TV, radio and internet.

Philippa Bond ● 1557d

On Thursday I called West 4 gps ( Health centre) in the morning ,spoke to the receptionist. Dr called me back. Problem solved .

Maureen Yakoubi ● 1556d

Our doctors are great as well 👏👏👏👏👏

Jayne Thorburn ● 1556d

Many of Hounslow’s 40 or so practices are struggling with admin eg communication, website issues, appointments. Not medical care. That’s still good. Thank goodness. There are only 7/8 practices in Chiswick. Three are in  a loose merger/working together Grove Park Surgery, Chiswick Family Practice and Wellesley Road. Grove Park Terrace and Glebe Street also support each other. Patient feed back very important so do ask if there is a Patient Participation Group. I chair the Grove Park Surgery PG (groveparksurgerypg@gmail.com)You might also be interested in this upcoming event if you want to say what patients need to help them put forward their views. Chiswick is part of North West London NHS now called an ICS) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/patient-participation-groups-north-west-london-forum-tickets-362996621667?aff=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&ref=eemailordconf&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent

Liz Hagerty ● 1555d

Thanks Liz. How does the PG at Grove Park Surgery work? From the thread here, it seems easier to get an appointment at other GP practices in the area?

Simon Meyers ● 1554d

There must be quite a few people who cannot use a computer or mobile to order their drugs because they can't read a screen.  I hope that surgeries have notes on these people and their need to use pen and paper or telephone.

Philippa Bond ● 1554d

Simon you have my sympathies.  You are not alone.

Elizabeth Ross ● 1553d

Sorry for delay. Each GP practice should have a patient group as part of the GP contract which can offer advice to their practice about was is or is not working. At ours we have a committee of 8 and a mailgroup of 250.  Shortage of GPs (a national problem) means that GPs need to makes sure the most urgent  cases get appointments first. Even same day is possible. We (PG) feel the appointments technology is not very user friendly and the system not transparent/communicated well enough. Actual numbers seen do not seem worse than most other practices but feelings of patients very different.  Which suggests it’s about communication.

Liz Hagerty ● 1550d

GPs in England, Q2 2015/6 - 28115Government target for Q3 2020/21 - 33155Actual number of GPs Q3 2020/21 - 27794Actual number of GPs Q2 2022/3 - 27699In summary, we have well over 1000 LESS GPs in England now than we did 7 years ago, whereas the government acknowledged then that the system was under strain and promised to increase numbers by 5000 over 5 years. But they had no actual mechanism to make this happen, so the number of GPs has continued to decline. And it's a vicious circle, because many of those left are under extreme pressure even before they get blamed by ministers, so we have early retirements and GPs going part time.It's not just a miserable government failure on GPs, they've spectacularly failed to meet targets also on 'physician associates' and social prescribing link workers.

Guy Lambert ● 1550d

I walked in on Tuesday last week and got an appointment for next Thursday 🤞

Madeleine Hazard ● 1549d

I was in the Grove Park surgery on June 22 for a blood test when a woman called seeking an urgent face-to-face appointment with "her" GP. She was told by the receptionist that this particular GP had no free appointments until August. So she accepted an appointment with another GP - for July 18 -- 26 days time!I just don't understand where the GPs are. There are meant to be four partners and two locums according to the practice  blurb.

Robin Knight ● 1548d

I am with Grove Park surgery in Burlington Lane.Getting an appointment is just not possible.I am 80 years old and have been allocated to a particular doctor but where is he ?

Bina Pandit ● 1548d

I understood that the GPs were working all pandemic only theapptmts were only face to face if really necessary.  There is an increase in technology being attempted by practices and patients - with varying degrees of success and a lot of frustration and stress.  Relationship between them and the Govt considering the pressure that they have and still are working under with staff shortages causes a toll on everyone's health and many have chosen go part time or retire.

Philippa Bond ● 1548d

I too am registered with and frustrated by Grove Park Surgery and want to move. Several people in this forum who wrote in saying they were able to get appointments -which surgeries are you talking about?  I dont expect same day or even same week, but 6-8 weeks is absurd for non urgent things

Ms A Mark ● 1548d

Totally agree ms. Mark- what on earth is going on with this practice

Helen Bamberger ● 1548d

But there are exactly the same number of GPs in the Grove Park surgery (at least, as defined on their documents) as pre-pandemic!

Robin Knight ● 1548d

they are clearly understaffed and can't cope - but yes, 6-8 weeks for a non-urgent appointment is ridiculous

Simon Meyers ● 1548d

I too am registered with this practice and was very please when a couple of months ago I succeeded in getting a face to face appointment with the GP of my choice.  I do like her and find she listens and understands how I manage my life.  Imagine my frustration at being called the day before to say that my appointment would be a tel.con.  How do you demonstrate over the phone line, the problems and pain I am experiencing with both hips.We had our phone call, she was most apologetic and offered to get me an xray.  We discussed that this was a waste of time given previous xrays and what was need was an MRI scan.  Not allowed you must start with the standard xray.Sure enough I received an invitation to attend CX some weeks ahead but the details were not correct.  After confirming with the surgery as to what they had requested, I tried calling CX but the queue was so long that I went to the imaging dept in person.  Got the details corrected at the reception desk by a very pleasant person.  He then asked if I wished to change my appointment.  He told me that they had many no shows and cancellations but if I came at 9am the next morning I would be done and I was.Sadly, I was right as the report was scant and I was told physiotherapy and massage would improve things but I would have to organise and pay for them myself as the waiting list was more than 6 months.I have now cancelled a refurbishment project and gone private.I called on a Thursday and had a meeting with the Consultant the following Tuesday - cost £295.  I furnished him with all the records I had of previous xrays and MRI scans and as they were more than 5 years old he recommended new 3T MRI scans of both hips and knees.  These were arranged for the following week with a further results consultation for 2 days later.  Cost £1,600 plus £195 for second consultation.It was good to know both knees were basically in good order but hips in a sorry state with bursitis, tendonitis and inflammation around lumbar spine which needed another 3TMRI.Next week I go for a final consultation for diagnosis and prognosis and what needs to or can be done.This has all been achieved in a month against a wait of at least 6 months or more for an invitation to the orthopaedic department.The big decisions will come but at least I will know exactly what the problems are with my mobility and the pain.  I think it will be wishful thinking that the NHS will help but it will be a discussion I would wish to have with my lovely GP.  How sad that the NHS has come to such a sorry state but at the end of the day it is best to follow the self help route in the anticipation that in the near future things will improve. 

Elizabeth Ross ● 1547d

Sometimes I feel like booking a gp appointment and saying to them 'There's nothing wrong with me,I just want to see if I could get past your receptionists'.

Keith Iddon ● 1547d

We don’t train enough doctors and haven’t done for many years. It takes several years to train a doctor, a decade for a consultant.  We should be planning 20 years or so ahead, after all we have a very good idea of what the future population will be. But politics is short term and the hope seems to be that we will muddle through and import a few doctors from Europe or Africa or Asia. I had hoped one of the benefits of, dare I mention it, Brexit would be that we gave more of our young people the opportunity to become medical students rather than rely on a stream of overseas recruits to fill posts. On top of this we’ve now had over a decade of pay restraint-doctors pay down about 8% in real terms since 2010-  followed by covid pressures leading to more doctors quitting or going part time.

David Turner ● 1547d

Help please as I would like to leave Grove Park Surgery

Ms A Mark ● 1547d

We are with Southfield medical centre, no problem, our daughter recently got a very itchy rash on her stomach. Self medication suggested shingles, called the doc, sent a picture and doc agreed arranged a blood test next day at surgery to confirm it was in fact shingles fortunately a mild case, received medication direct to pharmacy all sorted. So we have nothing but praise for our practise. In truth it has been discussed for years that the NHS can not deliver the level of care that £68M people expect. It does need reform. People turning up at A&E who could go to their local pharmacy is crazy, missed appts, drunk, etc, yes we do pay for the NHS but honestly I don’t think the some people do it’s just free and open to abuse. We do need reform but I wouldn’t know where to start!

Jayne Thorburn ● 1547d

Hi, where is Southfield Medical Centre please

Claire Moran ● 1547d

No doubt all you write, Mr. Turner, is correct. But it is irrelevant to Grove Park surgery which claims to employ the same number of doctors, nurses and receptionists as it did in 2019. So, my question remains unanswered: where are the Grove Park surgery doctors? Why are they not working from the practice? Why is it apparently taking a minimum of 6 weeks to see a doctor face to face at Grove Park surgery?

Robin Knight ● 1546d

Dr J Szyszko MBBS DRCOG MRCGP5.0(4) · Doctor89 Southfield RdOpen ⋅ Closes 6:30PM · +44 20 8995 6707They have changed ownership and changed name sorry, receptionists are very helpful and in our experience the doc will call same day to determine whether appt required or not.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1546d

In the Daily Telegraph today there is a fascinating letter from a person in Ely, Cambridgeshire who has done a detailed analysis of his local surgery as the BMA seeks a 30% pay increase.This large surgery has five partners and seven salaried GPs and looks after 15,500 people. It is closed for an hour each lunchtime and is open for a total of 43.5 hours a week. In a recent six-week period GP availability recorded on the surgery's website shows tha t the 12 doctors worked an average of 11 out of the 43.5 hours - 26% of the available time. The two full-time GPs worked a minimum of 22 hours and a maximum of 38 hours while the 10 part-time GPs worked a minimum of 8.5 hours and maximum 17 hours. According to the website, the GPs' average salary is £67,471. The NHS provides the surgery with a minimum of £2.7 million a year which, after £800,000 for GPs' salaries, leaves £1.9 million for overheads, staff wages and an additional partnership share for the five partners. It certainly would be interesting to see similar breakdowns for surgeries in Chiswick.

Robin Knight ● 1543d

That practice has been called the Chiswick Family Practice for a long time and has moved to the Acton Gardens development.

Claire Moran ● 1543d

Bit of background in case it helps. Grove Park Surgery does have four partners but only one works full time. And around 8,600 patients. The part-time salaried GP is soon to move to Australia and replacement appointed. A physician associate is also soon to start. When I checked Last week online there were appointments with the regular locum within two weeks. May have been cancellations so worth checking regularly.  Best to call practice between 8am and 10am about appointments. Or set out your symptoms on e-consult on the website asking for a doctor’s opinion.  There are face to face appointments but this usually follows a telephone consultation when the doctor decides they need to physically see or manipulate. GPs can only prescribe into NHS pathways for muscular skeletal which starts with physio despite seeming obvious needs for MRI etc.  The patient group (groveparksurgerypg@gmail.com) is very interested to hear which symptoms presented to Grove Park Surgery reception are resulting in 6-8 weeks wait for a GP appointment. We need to build a picture to  present. Just email for example “aching back 6 weeks for appointment” .

Liz Hagerty ● 1542d

Bit of background in case it helps. Grove Park Surgery does have four partners but only one works full time. And around 8,600 patients. The part-time salaried GP is soon to move to Australia and replacement appointed. A physician associate is also soon to start. When I checked Last week online there were appointments with the regular locum within two weeks. May have been cancellations so worth checking regularly.  Best to call practice between 8am and 10am about appointments. Or set out your symptoms on e-consult on the website asking for a doctor’s opinion.  There are face to face appointments but this usually follows a telephone consultation when the doctor decides they need to physically see or manipulate. GPs can only prescribe into NHS pathways for muscular skeletal which starts with physio despite seeming obvious needs for MRI etc.  The patient group (groveparksurgerypg@gmail.com) is very interested to hear which symptoms presented to Grove Park Surgery reception are resulting in 6-8 weeks wait for a GP appointment. We need to build a picture to  present. Just email for example “aching back 6 weeks for appointment” .

Liz Hagerty ● 1541d

How long is the wait for physio?

Philippa Bond ● 1540d

I used to go to Grove Park Surgery until we moved to Devon. We can ring up anytime during the day and the Doctor will ring you back within half an hour. If the GP thinks you need to be seen they will see you face to face the same day. I do mean anytime in the day, I have rung at 3pm and got to see the GP. You can't make an appointment in advance except for the  Nurse. Also we can ring the medication line and order your repeat prescriptions. They will be sent to the chemist of your choice the same day. You might think because it is Devon there are less people but we don't live in a tiny village we live in a main town and because our practice is run so well they have had to put a cap on more patients joining. It works very well and I can't understand why other practices can't work the same way. We even had good cover over the pandemic. My son still lives local to W4 and his GP is still Grove Park Surgery.

Sharon Walden ● 1539d

Sorry, I just don't believe Ms. Hegarty's claim that one can get a locum appointment at Grove Park surgery "within two weeks." I was at the surgery yesterday to see the locum because my face-to-face annual health check up with a partner was cancelled at the last moment (she has covid). While waiting to see the locum, I again heard the receptionists stating clearly to callers that there were no face to face appointments until late-August at earliest. Why does only one partner at Grove Park surgery work full-time? Locums are all very well, but they know little about one's health background.The patient group at Grove Park surgery could play an important role by sorting out the GP structure of this practice.

Robin Knight ● 1538d

Sorry I wasn't clear. I only reported that when I went online one afternoon 10 days ago there were two appointments available. Maybe sudden cancellations?It was just to suggest keep trying. On the separate matter, the appointments would not have been  face to face. They would initially be telephone. The patient group is really keen to gather accurate receptionist messages and their context. "No face to face until August" could be in response to someone saying they will not accept an initual telephone consultation first.  Alternatively resulting from training issues? Need to dig down to find out. groveparksurgerypg@gmail.com

Liz Hagerty ● 1534d

Sorry I wasn't clear. I only reported that when I went online one afternoon 10 days ago there were two appointments available. Maybe sudden cancellations?It was just to suggest keep trying. On the separate matter, the appointments would not have been  face to face. They would initially be telephone. The patient group is really keen to gather accurate receptionist messages and their context. "No face to face until August" could be in response to someone saying they will not accept an initual telephone consultation first.  Alternatively resulting from training issues? Need to dig down to find out. groveparksurgerypg@gmail.com

Liz Hagerty ● 1534d