Text size

Theme

Language

"Getting an appointment"

About: General Practices in Grampian

(as the patient),

This is an ongoing saga. It is almost impossible to get any sort of appointment at my surgery. For a while we had to phone each day at 11:00 for non- emergency appointments. Impossible when at work. Huge queue on hold or told to phone back later. Never any appointments left by the time you got through.  Now only appointments released could be on a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday'- they don't know in advance so we have to phone each day just in case they have been released.

My monthly nurse appointments used to be scheduled 1 month in advance, now I'm told book has not been made up for next week yet, or phone us next week. 

I have written to the surgery twice over the last year as was desperate to be seen as had red flag symptoms. Took me months to be seen.  Turned out I had a gall-bladder only working at 25%. Meanwhile my mother-in-law managed to get an appointment for a fungal nail infection.

No e-consults either though the area has pleaded with them to provide them. We have had a good few new housing developments in the area which is obviously having an impact but this is not sustainable.

I phoned the other day as had missed a few months of monthly bloods due to never being able to stay on hold at work. Luckily I managed to get one, however I also tried to get one for a GP as I had received a note on a recent prescription to make one to review my medications. This was a case of - they might release some either next Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday so you'll have to phone back then.

I can't stay on the phone on hold for any length of time so this feels like people who are working are at a severe disadvantage, and almost discriminated against. We have zero chance normally of getting to either speak or see a GP, unless we have an emergency and even then people must have to almost plan that in advance.

Can you please get something done about this practice because things are going to be missed if folks can't get medical advice. This used to be such a great practice but since the pandemic has finished, it's completely abysmal and frightening to be honest.

Please do something before something bad really happens. Thank you

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 3 days ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 02/06/2025 at 14:06
Published on Care Opinion at 14:06


picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear Caggie,

Thank you for taking the time to let us know about the issues you are having accessing appointments with your local GP Surgery. It does sound very frustrating and I can see why it's left you feeling frightened and anxious.

GP Practices are independent contractors, each with their own system for managing complaints and feedback. They don't have access to the Care Opinion system and won't see this without it going directly to them..

For your feedback to be addressed and looked into, you will need to call or write to the practice manager at the practice. If you would like independent advise or support on providing feedback to a practice there is the option to contact the Patient advise and Support Service by calling 0800 917 2127 or by visiting their website: https://pass-scotland.org.uk

Take care,

Kirsten

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Caggie (the patient)

Thanks Kirsten

I appreciate your advice however I have written to the practice on 2 separate occasions, once with no response and the second time I felt they were totally dismissive of my concerns.

It’s a pity they don’t have access to this system!

Thanks again

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k