Trying to get an appointment with your GP

Is it just me I wonder, or is it becoming more and more difficult to get an appointment with your GP? Surely it cannot get any worse.....

My husband has had a very bad cough for about 6 weeks, there is no sign of improvement at all.  You know what men are like, they leave these things until they become unbearable before they decide it is time to see a Doctor.  He  has been coughing constantly, virtually non stop, but it was not until he began coughing up blood that he gave in and asked me to get him an appointment.
"Make it either before work, or after work" he requested. That was not as easy as he though for a start.
I called the surgery to book the appointment.

"We have nothing for the next 2 weeks" the receptionist advised me.
"You will have to call at 08.30 tomorrow to see if we have any cancellations" I agreed to do this, after all, it is not the poor girls fault is it.  Next morning spot on 08.30 I called the surgery.  There was no answer, the phone was just ringing and ringing.  I tried calling constantly for a good 40 minutes when I finally got through.
"I was asked to call this morning for an appointment. I have been trying to get through since 08.30"
"I am sorry, I am afraid all the appointments have now gone. You will have to call at 08.30 tomorrow" I could almost hear the young receptionist squirming, waiting for me to snap.  But I didn't, I remained calm.
"Well, the problem is quite worrying. My husband has been coughing for weeks and is now bringing up blood" I told her in a very friendly, yet concerned way.......I am good like that you see.
"I will get the Doctor to call you back, if it is urgent he will make an appointment for your husband"
That was fine by me, so I graciously thanked her.

Well, it was only 5 minutes later when the phone rang and the nice Indian doctor on the other end spoke to my husband on the phone.  My husband patiently explained the trouble he was having.  The Doctor told him he has severe Bronchitis and would leave a prescription out for him. He is to make an appointment for one weeks time.

I popped into the surgery 3 hours later to collect the prescription.  The receptionist could not find it anywhere. She hunted high and low; up and down like a yoyo she was
.
"Ah! Hang on, I know where it may be" she said. You know, I swear I heard cogs turning in her head at that point. She picked up the phone and dialled with such speed, I thought maybe the key pad was on fire.
"Hello, its only me. You don't happen to have  a prescription there for Mr Reeve do you?" She waited , tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk for what seemed like ages.  I looked over my shoulder to see about 6 people waiting in a line behind me. You know what it is like when that happens, you feel that your being a real pain in the bum.

"You do, well shred it will you, I will print it from here" She slammed the phone down as though it was about to have her arm off or something.
"It was waiting for you to collect at the surgery in town. I will print another one. Take a seat while I wait for a Doctor to authorise it." I thought I had better do as I was told, she had a look that told me NOT to question her. So off I trotted to the nearest available seat. I have no idea why it was waiting at a surgery 5 mile away.

While I waited I looked around me at all the 'sick' people in the surgery, waiting to be seen by the busy Doctors.  There were a couple of elderly ladies sitting opposite me having a good natter, as they do.  There conversation went something like this.

"Its my knee playing me up again, it does give me gyp you know.  I am sure the Doctor will give me something for it.  I have been getting this ache in my tummy too, quite bad it was on Saturday, I think I will tell the Doctor about that while I am in there as well"
Oh dear, that does not sound good Betty.  How is your wrist now?"
"I put up with it, it does give me Gyp you know, I will mention it when I go in. The Doctor will write me prescription for some pain killers or something.  He told me last time he saw me that it would clear up on its own with rest.  But it is still there...yes, I will tell him about it"  At this point I noticed 2 signs up on the walls, both saying the same thing 'The Doctor Only Has 10 Minutes Allocated To Each Appointment. Please only Discuss One Problem During Your Allotted Appointment Time'.  Well Betty's appointment is set to last half an hour at least.  Now wonder no one can get a slot! At that point the receptionist called me over and handed me the prescription.
"Thank you very much" I said with a warm and friendly smile which I though would cheer her up.
"While I am here, the Doctor said my husband needs an appointment for a weeks time. Can I book a slot now please?"  If looks could kill blimey, I wish I never asked.
"she sat down in front of the computer screen staring at it and tapping away on the key board for a minute or two,  not very delicately either I may add, when she glared up at me with the mortal words.....
"We have nothing at all, you will have to call at 08.30 on the day to see if we have any cancellations!!"

What is even worse, is that you cannot pre book more that two weeks ahead as the appointment system is closed and cannot be opened yet!