THIS IS WRONG

Wow,keep stirring that pot Fran!

                           Tonya xx

Well i was so angry about the doctor crap i wrote to the local paper about it and WOW the feed back has been amazing so many people upset with the long wait to see doctors. some have had to wait 6weeks or more unreal . will keep all postedd if any more news.

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to chime in that I've had the same issues with my GP and worse since he moved and merged with several other GPs into a new super clinic.  The front desk nazis claim that there is nothing that they can do but there are a couple of ways around the system I've found -

• the best is to ring and ask to speak to your GP, he usually rings me back as soon as he can and will squeeze me in if he thinks I need to be seen,
• ring first thing in the morning as soon as your practise opens (can take a couple of mins to get through sometimes but they have to keep a certain amount of appointments free for on the day matters), and
• the last port of call for me has been to go in and see the Sister who will call a doctor if they can't help you. 

It's amazing what some reception staff are like - they make things so difficult when it really doesn't have to be, especially as we're usually ringing for a very important reason. A little care and compassion can go a long way I say. 

Mel

That is all so crazy!  I have been fortunate so far to not have needed any urgent attention but what you are going through is just wrong!  

I had a similar issue with my GP about getting flu needles - she was so apologetic - rang me at least 6 times.  The front desk often have no idea.  I've worked out with her now to ask her to call me - I then seem to get squeezed in.  If the front desk had their way - it would be a week.  Yes OK - I'll plan that chest infection for a week's time thanks!

It's not quite the same but my eldest daughter developed Croup recently - I was in having chemo and she was unwell - they told me there were no appointments for 3 days - she then got a chest infection - again no appointments for a week!  This at a surgery with 10 drs.  So much for continuity of care! 

I have been fortunate with my specialists - My surgeon has given me his mobile number and my oncologist returns her pager calls quickly at any time. It's just not good enough though that the continuity of care isn't there.

Hi Leonie, yeah this seems to be a major problem. at least i will see my doctor tomorrow but it isnt right. and especially when you are still having treatment at least i am finished mine

, i dont know how we can change this or what we can do it is getting so bad.i dont know who we could write to or lobby.?

my doctor goes on holidays at the end of the week maybe they are all off together ha ha , any way i am glad it was a benign lump so that is something. .

how are you going anyways its n ot a pleasant journey but we are all here for each other which is wonderful.  the treatment is horrific but  what choice is there. and hey i am still here so you go girl hang in. take care and i am not letting this issue fad away will do something, ?

I feel for you Fran.  Same thing happened to me.  My GP who is excellent and I'm sure doesn't know what happens at the front desk, is impossible to see.  Same thing, you have to book weeks in advance.  Bloody hell,  I always know that I will need her that far in advance!!!!!.  I had a problem so rang the oncology nurses who said it needed GP intervention.  Of course I couldn't see my GP (she wasn't working that day) so next best I rang her other local practice which is closer to home to see if I could get an appointment with her practice partner whom I had seen in the past.  I spoke with a "new" receptionist and explained that I was a cancer patient on chemo with a problem and needed an appointment.  This went straight over her thick head and she told me that there weren't any appointments for days.  I gave up.  I had an appointment  booked with another GP today who does acupuncture for me prior to chemo.  (the practice is over an hour away from home)  I just told him what the problem was which by now had just about rectified itself so he put a couple more needles into me to help "fix me".  God it is not easy.  I still have extensive bruising across my chest from the surgery I had to insert my portocath - more than six weeks ago.  I showed this GP who was horrified.  I feel in limbo.  I don't see my surgeon until after chemo finishes but I feel he needs to look at this problem.  The oncology nurses are wonderful - but their job is to only administer the chemo.  The Physician who is attached to me for chemo is now away for 6 weeks.  His replacement who looked after me when I went into hospital due to my first chemo treatment problems is also on holidays.  So when I go on Friday for my 3rd chemo I will see another Physician.  He is apparently very good but does not know me from Adam.  It is so frustrating.  Apparently my GP is mostly pre-booked by oldies who have ongoing appointments booked.  Hell!!!!!  Doesn't leave much scope for others.  Anyway lucky I can look after myself pretty well and if anything becomes serious I will go straight to hospital!!!.  This is all through private medical.  My friend who is having chemo in the public system says she is seen immediately she has a problem.  Mind you she is a nurse at that hospital when she is well.  What is happening to the health system for private patients?  XLeonie

Thanks Tonya. i have sent my Doctor a letter and the local paper. just makes me so angry. as it's not just me i am upset for there are quite a few of us in Mansfield fighting or just getting over cancer treatment and this is just not right so if my getting stroppy and complaining helps thats great.. the arm is red and sore but the oozing has eased for now. the hospital here is wonderful so i know that if it gets worse i will go there. let you know how the letters do if i get any replies ???

how are you any way.? hope you are well? thanks for the support. i appreciate it. in this day and age i just feel we shouldn't have to beg to see our own doctors but it seems we have to beg and lie.. wrong anyway i will be fine this is nothing compared to what  my cancer journey was. take care Fran.

Thanks Tonya. i have sent my Doctor a letter and the local paper. just makes me so angry. as it's not just me i am upset for there are quite a few of us in Mansfield fighting or just getting over cancer treatment and this is just not right so if my getting stroppy and complaining helps thats great.. the arm is red and sore but the oozing has eased for now. the hospital here is wonderful so i know that if it gets worse i will go there. let you know how the letters do if i get any replies ???

how are you any way.? hope you are well? thanks for the support. i appreciate it. in this day and age i just feel we shouldn't have to beg to see our own doctors but it seems we have to beg and lie.. wrong anyway i will be fine this is nothing compared to what  my cancer journey was. take care Fran.

Sorry to hear all that Fran.So much for follow up team work.Your surgeon or local doctor should have fitted you in as an urgent case.We without lymph nodes know how careful we have to be about our arm.I think you should write a letter of complaint to both of them.Your antibiotics will take 2 days to kick in so hopefully your arm will settle down.If your arm starts to swell or you see a red track running up your arm ,go straight to hospital.Poor darl,hope you don't have a rough night.

                                               Tonya xx

Sorry to hear all that Fran.So much for follow up team work.Your surgeon or local doctor should have fitted you in as an urgent case.We without lymph nodes know how careful we have to be about our arm.I think you should write a letter of complaint to both of them.Your antibiotics will take 2 days to kick in so hopefully your arm will settle down.If your arm starts to swell or you see a red track running up your arm ,go straight to hospital.Poor darl,hope you don't have a rough night.

                                               Tonya xx