GP Wait Times - your experience please….

Strumms

folks,

Just trying to get an appreciation of how long in general people are having to wait for their GP appointments nowadays….

Called today and flabbergasted that the quickest I can see my GP is 8 days from today. Which is in diplomatic terms, not good enough … in less diplomatic terms, in a civilised first world country… a load of ********

My GP is an extremely gifted medical professional… but they are involved also directly in politics, very left wing and going by their X, very empathetic towards a certain cause du jour shall we say… 🇺🇦

Ultimately standards in medicine / healthcare are regulated, well supposed to be…. But having to wait that duration for a GP appointment is far below any appropriate standard as I’d perceive it. If you have an issue the quicker you can be seen actually has an impact on the outcome and if you can’t see your GP for over one week…

Before i proceed I’m looking for feedback from other posters as to what their experience has been this year in relation to attaining GP appointments…thanks.

L1011

This is going to be extremely regional, down to specific towns.

I can get an appointment tomorrow afternoon; or yesterday about lunchtime I could have got one within ~3 hours (I've had reason to check and indeed book); but I don't go to a local GP. It's about your eight days if I go local.

Gremlinertia

Its about a week for a few in Galway City area from myself and friends experience of course there's a bit of luck involved if you can standby for cancellations

Sponge25

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359954/gp-wait-times-your-experience-please

I had to wait over two weeks to see my GP but I got another appointment I was at today which took 6 days. If you're not bad enough for A&E but are in a bad condition, it's fairly intolerable.

radiotrickster

Mine tend to vary. Sometimes it’s a couple of days, sometimes it’s later that day. My main issue is they say you’re limited to ten minutes per appointment and one problem per appointment. So if you develop two problems that seem completely unrelated, they may turn you away and say you need another appointment.

They’ve not refused me yet but one of the doctors did get a bit snappy when I went for a prescription renewal and asked could they look at an issue with my arm in the same appointment.

At €70 for an appointment (and an extra €30 for a blood test), I already felt robbed that they wouldn’t just renew the prescription for me. If they had refused to look at my arm because they insisted on a second app, I would have been raging.

Strumms

Thanks folks…..it’s weird because I’m a patient there since ‘08 or ‘09.

There were 4 doctors working there then. Now there are 6…

So a 50% increase in doctors on staff. But approximately 50% or so increase in the wait for an appointment…

Intolerable is a pretty accurate descriptor…. No wonder the a&es are overcrowded too.

The Continental Op

If you make a case for an emergency appointment then its same day. If you want a normal appointment with a specific doctor its 5-10 working days. Waterford area.

Gremlinertia

The number of doctors retiring is way over those joining the ranks and so surgeries have seen a huge increase in the numbers they try to accommodate, funnily, personally, I've noticed a massive change negatively speaking between pre and post covid.

cnoc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388543#Comment_122388543

By how much has the population increased in your area, in that time frame?

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388555#Comment_122388555

same here, waterford city, 14 days for a general gp appointment, didnt even try my own doc, probably somewhere near a month, own doc would be fairly left leaning, no idea why thats an issue, as our health system has been in disarray for years, long before most immigrants rocked up, government isnt gonna change, so happy happy days…..

know people in more rural areas that if they fall sick, theyll probably just die, and it probably wouldnt be one of those quick and painless jobs either…..

lazeedaisy

My GP quickest is usually a weekly AVG. Is ten days, so if you're sick, forget about it. No emergency appointments. Carlow Town

Dr Turk Turkelton

2-3 weeks in Meath. Place is an abomination. Don't know how so many people can schedule being sick so far in advance.

Have started using the Vhi clinic in Carrickmines. An absolutely wonderful place.

Ezeoul

Used to be able to see my GP within 2 days (pre-Covid). Now, he has bought the practice as the original two GPs both retired, and it is a minimum of 2 weeks for a phone consultation with him, and he now only sees patients after he has had a phone consultation first. Time from phone consultation to face-to-face visit, is another week to ten days. The practice in general has also shortened their office hours by an hour on each end, and have two half days a week, when it used to be one.

Two new GPs in the practice, both will see patients without a prior phone consultation, but it's still ten days to two weeks. I have no confidence in either of the new GPs as I have found them both very unsure of themselves, and seem to need to check everything with the senior GP first, or their answer to everything is "oh I need to refer you to the hospital".

I've mostly given up on my surgery for anything but my repeat prescriptions and diabetes check. Now if Im actually sick I just go straight to TLC-Doc, where at least you will get seen by a doctor within a day.

Its a shame after being a patient at the same surgery for 40 years.

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388732#Comment_122388732

People in rural areas go to a+e for any serious issues

Its always been that way here

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388731#Comment_122388731

I wonder if this is such a big factor, to be honest.

I know my GP practice tell anyone who enquires that they're not taking on new patients, and it seems like that has been the standard reply for years now. The same with other Practices in the area.

GPs are not obliged to take on new patients, afaik.

drury..

Back in the day we had 1 gp and you'd get seen the same day

When he reiterd there was a practice with 2-3 GPS and 1 nurse and the wait times were way longer

Go figure

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388928#Comment_122388928

Most likely a merger of multiple practices. Particularly if it moved in to a primary care centre at the same time.

apache

2 weeks for me to get an appointment. One GP in a very busy practice. Sometimes I might get one in 11 or 12 days.

I suppose I could get another Dr but I've been with him for most of my life and a lot of practices are packed and not taking on new patients.

drury..

The out of hours service was a good idea but it became useless

It was centralised here meaning a long distance to travel and it was simpler to go to a+e after hours

They would refer you on to a+e for minor issues so it was simpler to bypass them anyhow

Flinty997

2 weeks usually.

Blood tests can be longer because you got to book the referral from the GP, then book the test, then have GP explain the results. If any of that goes outside the 2 weeks from the start they charge you again.

Hippodrome Song Owl

Next day usually - solo gp in West Dublin. But my gp has had a recorded message saying he's not taking any new patients for nearly 5 years now. There are no gp practices accepting new patients in any of the nearby areas, so I'm very worried about what will happen when he retires in the next 5-10 years. He told me he cannot get a locum to be able go on holidays, paying €1000 a day.

Streifi

Same day (or next) for urgent appointment (1-3 for myself if sick and can wait, quicker if kid sick or seriously unwell) and anything between 1-4 weeks for GP depending which one and if they have a speciality. Don't mind waiting if it's not urgent and usually seen very quickly if sick. But heard from others about waiting much longer when unwell in a different practice.

Huge increase in patients numbers and all GPs locally oversubscribed. Medical card/GP visit card can be assigned to a practice even qhen oversubscribed but private stuck with OOH or VHI etc.

Dublin commuter belt.

This is it

Generally 2-3 days, last time I rang on Wednesday afternoon and had an appointment for the Friday morning. I moved last year but I'm still registered with my previous GP, tried to move locally but I can't even get a response.

tohaltuwi

I’m in south Dublin suburbs. I’m relatively lucky in that sometimes I can get an appointment next day, if I am quite sick, if I am coughing blood he might see me same day or do a telephone consultation to get me a prompt antibiotic sent to local pharmacist. I’m prone to aspiration pneumonia from my MS, so things can progress quickly. Other times I’m not urgent, or want to arrange a referral, and I make sure to inform admin that it can wait a week or so, in order that he can help slot in more urgent cases.

However, sometimes it can depend on admin person, so if I am urgent I really have to emphasise this, and if someone is in the desk who doesn’t know my background situation could put me on the long finger. They don’t answer the phone, but do call back. They far prefer requests for appointments by email.

AUDI20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122388555#Comment_122388555

This. If I want to see my GP it take two to three weeks, if its an emergency usually the same day or following day depending on the time you call in. But not my GP on the emergency Dungarvan Area

tohaltuwi

looking back through this thread it is very evident why people go to A+E for stuff that is far more appropriate for a GP to manage. Absolutely crazy situation, complete mismanage of planning for population growth.

Furze99

Appointments here over past 2-3 years are running to 2 months and that's paying full price. There are a half dozen GPs on the books. If emergency, can attend by phoning and going down and waiting till someone is free. Twenty years ago a typical appointment was a few days at most. Well populated town and big rural hinterland, lots of people.

I'm laughing at the idea of getting an appointment in just 8 days! That'd be a deluxe service my friend.

tohaltuwi

one thing my GP requires is a negative Covid test if there is any fever or respiratory symptoms, plus you have to wear a mask if there is any respiratory issue. Can be a bit taxing with asthma, but understandable to avoid spreading things to other patients.

StormForce13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389209#Comment_122389209

Yep, the government needs to force women GPs to get back to working fulltime, at gunpoint if necessary! Tongue in cheek but that's a contributory factor to the GP shortage. Another very significant factor is that there are more people - old and young - with GP cards; and as they don't have to pay to see the Doctor, they tend to avail of the free service more often.

My GP was forced to retire last summer at age 70, but is now working part-time for another busy practice. He used to charge €40, his new practice now charges €60 to see him - and it takes longer. Used to be less than a week, now it's at least a week.

On the good side - for him - he has reduced his golf handicap by two shots!

Ezeoul

My surgery doesn't do "emergency" appointments.

I've been in the waiting room and have overheard the battleaxes at reception turning people down very harshly.

You also have to divulge the details of your illness to them in advance "so they can put it on the system", or else they won't book an appointment.

apache

The receptionist never asks me details. I'd be annoyed if she did.

Strumms

yes they’ve started doing that now here,” why do you require the appointment ? “…

The reality is I need a signature on a document from my GP. But I told them I feel like I need a checkup which I’ll allow him to do and then sign the form….

if I just mentioned the form I’d say I’m well and truly behind the 8 ball and probably a two week wait. So I’m glad I didn’t just go the ‘need a form signed’

This is it

Work pays for my health insurance and they do "Digital GP" services. Free access to a GP for things like doctors note, colds, flu, etc. There are things they won't see you for but general things are fine.

Used to kill me to wait for an appointment, by which time I'd be back to work having been sick, only to have to take more time and pay €60 to get a doctors note...

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389286#Comment_122389286

I hope they don't refuse to sign the form for you, as it wasn't "mentioned when booking".

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389246#Comment_122389246

lol, I’m wan of those wans with a GP visit card, fairly necessary in my case as I have fairly advanced MS with very unpredictable issues going on throughout. That said, it would otherwise cost me €65 a pop.

Somebody who has several doctors in their family said to me that nowadays most qualifying are women, and women tend to go part-time (gaining less experience too through career) so don’t fill the very real need of more full-time GPs. It is a very real issue.

Big Bag of Chips

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389286#Comment_122389286

If you were sick you'd be seen in a day or two. They ask the reason for the appointment to identify urgent cases and get those in. A routine check up isn't as urgent as a child with an earache, or an adult with chest pains so those people will be given the priority appointments and the routine, non-urgent ones will wait.

I don't often go to the doctor. I have a few children and a husband with various medical issues. Whenever I ring with an immediate issue I will get an apt same day or very latest next afternoon. If I need a routine apt for something it will be a week or two.

Have you tried making a dentist appointment recently?!

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389246#Comment_122389246

Yes I agree re effect of GP cards etc. I always knew we had a pretty poor service in terms of waiting but surprised to see typical figures of days and at most 2 weeks above. That said, our GPs are good, know you and follow things up. Part of the issue round here is I think the relatively large number of people on medical cards combined with lack of choice. Those with cards tend to be in the waiting room over the years with kids with minor bugs and they just attend as it's free and they've got the time. Whereas we'd always avoid if at all possible, partly due to waits and partly as paying. Only ever went or go now if quite necessary.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359954/gp-wait-times-your-experience-please

Is needing a form signed/check up with no ailment now considered a long term illness deserving of a prompt appointment? This is a perfect illustration of the benefits of reception asking why an appointment is necessary, screening patients based on medical urgency.

If the form you need signed is a declaration related to your medical health, which we can only assume it does if you need your GPs signature, it would seem logical the GP would need to satisfy him/herself that what they are attesting to, is accurate.

Bluespecs

Next day for me.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389400#Comment_122389400

Not in my surgery. They literally do not GAF.

They literally start their sentence with "we've nothing this week," before they even ask what the issue is.

And receptionist staff should not be "triaging" patients. They are not qualified to do so.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389538#Comment_122389538

Reception staff assign appointments based on the training/instruction provided by the GPs they work for, without it, appointments would be assigned based on the order in which people call to make them. In effect, that would mean a person needing a form signed would be given an appointment sooner than someone who needs to be seen urgently, by virtue only of phoning first.

Photobox

My GP doesn't take appointments. It's a walk in service. You will see him in the same day but could be waiting up to 4 hours. Cork area.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389569#Comment_122389569

I've been down this rabbit hole with you before Dav010 and we didn't agree then, and we won't agree now.

As far as I'm concerned the only people qualified to triage patients are medical staff, not admin staff.

I've also heard of a number on incidences in my surgery where people have ended up seriously ill in hospital, having been refused appointments by the GPs reception staff.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389446#Comment_122389446

I don’t want a prompt appointment but I do not want to be put on the long finger… :)

No ailment ? Why did you come to that deduction ? :)

according to you Dav only a LTI deserves a prompt appointment…ok 🤦🏻‍♂️

The GP doesn’t need to satisfy anything….. he has the most recent hospital report from my consultant… he doesn’t have any MRI or similar diagnostic equipment or indeed experience or qualifications to challenge what the consultant tells him. Nice try Dav ;). He will be attesting as to what he has been told by my consultants. His signature on the document I give him will have a letter confirming, I know as I am now in physical possession of the same letter. He just needs to sign my document, but I need to wait for the privilege. 🤷🏻

be good to get a check up too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389631#Comment_122389631

I get the sense that you believe a medical receptionist is some jobs worth taken in to answer the phone, that is simply not the case. They are given training and instruction by GPs on how to receive the necessary information, and then follow guidelines put in place by each GP Clinic.

You still seem unable to understand the vital role played by reception staff, trained and following policy set by GPs. If you have an issue with how appointments are assigned, take it up with your GP. It is incomprehensible that anyone would expect their GP to spend their day answering phone calls and making appointments, that task must be assigned to a receptionist, who follows the GP’s policies. If you object to sharing why you need an appointment, then the solution is to ask for the first available appointment, whenever that is.

Ezeoul

Did you copy and paste that response from the previous time this came up?

As was said then, no one suggested or expects doctors to answer the phones and make appointments themselves.

Not commenting on this point again.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389715#Comment_122389715

My answer is based on insight and experience, so it will be consistent.

suvigirl

usually 1-3 days, if it's urgent they'll get me in same day. Dublin 7.

tohaltuwi

I find with reception staff you have to be very specific about symptoms to get an urgent appointment, namely blood appearing where it shouldn’t be, eg, in urine, gets the appointment. Saying you have cystitis won’t get you an urgent appointment; if you have a cough you wont be seen without a Covid test, so always have to make sure I have a kit at home. Then if you have a proven non-Covid chest infection with rusty or purple sputum, and mention these symptoms you might be seen later that day and get your antibiotic for a lung infection.

It even if you can’t get an appointment to see doc, they will usually afford you a phone consultation same day, they send prescription to my local pharmacy. I monitor my own SPO2, peak flow etc during a lung infection so have a good idea if things are getting out of hand.

The last time I made a visit to a GP surgery was 2017, I had changed practice and found the new surgery so bad that I never went back. Obviously covid happened (to everybody else) and I managed to avoid it entirely, I did receive vaccinations at the local vaccination center but my understanding is that gps became no go areas in the years in between.

Last year I attended a&e and needed to get follow up with a gp so managed to get a place in a local practice. Took a week from the point of signing up to getting an appointment but it was a bit of a waste of time as my records hadn't been transferred so had to made another appointment for the following week. I feel like I've been in a coma for 7 years, the second visit I just typed out a thesis on my life story so I wouldn't have to try and explain anything and hope for the best. Haven't been back since and hopefully will be another seven years before I have a need for one again.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122389634#Comment_122389634

You hadn’t provided any indication in your earlier posts that you are unwell, other than you need a form signed, and you “might need” a check up. Your words, not mine.

Based on what you wrote prior to the above post, which I was basing my responses on, and in the absence of any indication about the urgency with which you need the GPs signature, it does appear that you think an appointment for a check up (which is given the level of importance of “be good to get a check up too” ) is deserving of a more prompt appointment, than 8 days. GP clinics are over subscribed, that has been widely reported on, so it stands to reason that those with more urgent needs will be given priority over check ups.

Incidentally, what is the significance of the GPs political views and Ukraine flag in your op?

There is a lot wrong with the Irish health system, of that there is no doubt, but appointments being assigned based on the information given when the person calls, isn’t one of them, there has to be some significance attached to the urgency with which the appointment is needed.