Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

GP Appointment Times

Posted By Mrs S Fife

"GP Appointment Times"

About: NHS Fife

(as a service user),

Absolutely shocking that the first appointment I can be offered with my GP is on 21st November - that is four weeks away!

To be told that the only other option is to phone in at 8am each morning to try to get an emergency appointment just doesn't work. It doesn't take account that I need to travel to work and by the time I get to work and make the phone call there might not be enough time to get back for an appointment. Also, I can't just take time off work to stay at home until 8am to make a phone call to the GP.

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

Responses

Response from Louise Ewing, Clinical Service Manager, Older Adult Services, Health & Social Care Partnership Fife Wide 7 years ago
Louise Ewing
Clinical Service Manager, Older Adult Services,
Health & Social Care Partnership Fife Wide

Submitted on 27/10/2017 at 11:52
Published on Care Opinion at 12:11

picture of Louise Ewing

Dear Mrs S Fife

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your recent experience of trying to make a GP appointment. Your post outlines the real issues being faced in practice and the negative impact for those trying to access appointments. I was sorry to hear of the difficulties you experienced and acknowledge your frustration. The issues you describe are not unique to Fife and for that reason all Boards are in the process of redesigning services to ensure their sustainability. Nationally, resource has been made available to support advancing the practice of other professional staff groups; as it may not always be necessary to see a GP. Information is available to signpost people to the most appropriate service. In addition to this Boards are looking at the way in which services are delivered in the community to improve accessibility for all.

In their current contract, practices must have available on the day appointments for emergencies. There are no timescales for giving routine appointments.

In terms of your specific experience, I would be happy to share this with the Practice concerned to get more direct feedback if that would be helpful. Please contact me directly if you wish me to do that on 01592 648154.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k