Gp appointments availability

If you call 111, and they determine you need a priority appt at the surgery (GP or nurse or whoever), they'll book it directly for you.

Last time I needed to do this, I was sat in front of the GP within the hour. OK, pre-pandemic, but still...

We really need to get to the mindset where 111 is the default first port of call - they'll direct you to the right place: pharmacy/surgery/A&E/undertaker.

Quite standard now, that's how mine operates too.  You still might not see a GP face to face - often the appointment is for one to telephone you to discuss.  

Our NHS is broken and throwing shedloads of money at it every year isn't working. 

Incidentally, I find turmeric capsules really help my hip pain, so might be worth a try for knees too.  I was told by a consultant surgeon over 10 years ago that I needed new hips, but a small amount of turmeric has instead been sufficient for all that time.  Nothing to lose by trying.

If they operate where you live, try Babylon. They are NHS doctors but online (I believe they also see patients privately). I used them when I used to live in London and could usually 'see' a doctor the same day or next.

the 1.5% will vanish into admin ( IMHO)
similar here except the 10 minute wait is almost invariably 35-40,

last time I rang, I was told I needed to get through by 9 to get an appointment, I tried to point out that when the wait is an hour it is almost impossible and the lines don't open until8 , but it's a total non understanding attitude from them.

The statistics on the wall show that the GPs are seeing 4 patients each per day ( based on a 5 day week ), and are doing about 12 telephone consultations.

IMHO this is far less than was normal before Covid, and is part of the reason A&E departments are overwhelmed, patients are fed up of being told to call back tomorrow, and in desperation they go to the hospital, for things that the GP should be doing.

When I went to collect a prescription I had to queue for nearly 30 minutes in the rain

unfortunately with 111 we have people that know which words to use to get priority, this means they are categorised above the Elderly lady laid in the street with a broken hip etc.

what is worse is that the paramedics etc will know the "frequent flyers" but they still have to attend.

I remember reading about 1 crew who having been called to "a heart attack" ascertained that the patient had indigestion which they explained, as they left they actually heard the patient back on 999 demanding an ambulance because he was "having a heart attack"

I also believe the rules say if someone calls 111 more than 3 times in a set period they should be called by their GP within 1 hour ( I assume 111 "pings" the GP )

from London Ambulance service website :-


Last year we managed 1,622 frequent callers, who generated 49,534 incidents, utilising 3,028 12-hour ambulance shifts.



On average, frequent callers cost us £4.4million a year, and cost the wider NHS around £18.8million.

my take on this is 49500 incidents uses 3000 ambulance shifts is an understatement. it means each call takes under 45 minutes. given most ambulances are double crewed that's 20 minutes, 4.4 million over these 1,622 people means they are costing the NHS £2700 each in Ambulance service time.

Yes have to use a phone, they have " turned the online system off"

Likewise.... online only for repeat prescriptions. All other features are disabled.