Appointment

I can tell you why you have these problems it is because your health care is covered by NHS which is socialized health care. I never have any of the problems you describe. I get an immediate (same day) appointment with my same doctor if I have a problem arise. If I need to see a different doctor he/she already has seen and read all my health care records. However this will all change for the worst under our new Obama Care. I am so sorry for all the problems you are having but I am very sure I, and millions of others shall be having the same problems now that Obama Care is Law. I remember being amazed at the wonderful difference in the Health Care I received in the USA after being used to the British NHS.

oh gabs I am so sorry that you are getting the run around like that. I had a doctor before my current one who always had the nurses sign up much more people than he really could see ina day, then I found out that no matter what time my appt was I would not be seen then as he took the people with private health insurances first, the hmos last. so I had a nine oclock appt and was seen at noon, and the doctor was brusque with mepointing out he had not had his lunch yet. I was having IBS really bad so next time I got to see the nurse practioner who did see me right on time of my appt. after about so much of that crap, I changed doctors and oh what a difference, they call me by name, I never have to wait more than ten minutes and most all the time can get an appointment in the same week.I dont get the fact that I have to recite all my meds all the time when it is all down on my chart,but still he is apretty good doctor.from hatley.

Well, most doctors schedule "new patient" visits for a specific time. You're lucky they could accommodate you so quickly. When I moved, I had to wait months for my first appointment. Since you prefer a woman doctor, maybe the Duty Doctor today was a woman and yesterday's a man? Anyway, I hope by the time you read this you've seen the doctor and gotten some help.

Gabs, I hate to say it, but this is mild compared to what it will be once the "health care reform" kicks in, in a few years. I agree, it's poor treatment for you now, but just wait 'til about a 3rd of doctors get out of the business rather than go through government run "care." Your costs aren't the only thing that will skyrocket. Your blood pressure will too. Be prepared to wait months (for anything but emergency care), & if you have a swiftly-growing cancer, that's not considered an "emergency." In at least California, they're seriously (this time) trying to get pot legalized. I hope your brain surgeon isn't fond of the weed to help him "mellow out"--even after his surgery, or days before. The active ingredient stays in the system for days... You might have to face people whose job it is to convince you that your life isn't really worth continuing, & after all, "the old have a duty to die," & that heart, kidney or lung would profit a younger "more productive" person much more than you, who might get no more than 6 months to a couple of years out of it...such a waste.... Oh, & if you hate paperwork, get over that. You'll need to produce all sorts of IDs & write signatures 'til your arm falls off & you have writer's cramp. It's almost that bad, now! And you'll be cajoled, if not forced, to sign a "living will" & donate your organs, even if you don't want to--for younger folks, of course--if the PTBs in D.C. get their way. They're working on that now, & a host of other wicked things. Bitter? You bet I am. I can't wait 'til that stupid law is repealed! I would like to wish you well. I know about depression, & it very well may be that you need to switch to a different anti-depressant. They do stop working sometimes. Don't delay seeing your doctor about this, dear, & I do hope you get better! God bless you! Maggiepie "WE ARE A SOVEREIGN NATION, WITH A CONSTITUTION, & OUR RIGHTS WERE CONVEYED TO US NOT BY THAT CONSTITUTION, MIRACULOUS DOCUMENT THOUGH IT BE, BUT BY OUR GOD. WOE TO ANY ENEMY WHO CHALLENGES THAT TRUTH!" ~ Anon

In the USA you will find the same problems, especially if you are a new patient. Here if you need help today you go to the Urgent care or Emergency Room at the local hospital, there you will wait to be seen, sometimes a long time. Even if you have a personal Doctor you may have to go there if it's not during his regular hours. Here there are just to many patients for the number of doctors we have.

Hi Gabs. I have run into the same thing since I moved from Montana to Oklahoma in OCtober. After about 20 plus calls I did find a dr/drs? who would take a heart patient HOWEVER, even tho the place was friendly and I had lowered my bar to what I considered quality, they still screwed up on two prescriptions I needed and I never saw the same dr twice. It was called a residency clinic which meant they were practicing to be drs. I finally took an entire day and started calling all drs. in the phone directory and finally found one I thought would be ok.As it turned out he's fine and also has a number for "prompt care" and he too told me any time I needed treatment, regardless..........I could always reach him ! I don't know about where you live but do you have like our 911 calling system that gets an ambulance to you in a hurry ? Actually that is one of the main reasons we moved back here is for the safety of getting care quicker. Health care is better in MOntana but we lived on a mountain pass and riding in an ambulance over that pass twice was scary. Still, keep checking for the right dr. Ask questions on how to get emergency treatments if needed. Dont hedge! Make it very clear that you can get into trouble and in big hurry and this is worrying you. Ask too if they know of another dr or facility that can do you more justice as far as your health care issues goes. They are in the business to help not hender ! I understand too the 1001 questions.................there is really nothing you can do but listen and then politely hand them your notes OR make it VERY clear why you are there in the first place. [i]And, do understand there is a remote possiblity you will need an ambulance to get you to a hospital at least once which will in turn set you up for the long term care you need. Not fun, but it works. hugs, quita[/i]

hi gabs... i am so sorry to hear about your depression and difficulty to get appointment with a doctor... to be honest with you, i am very fortunate that i never have to experience something like you and i am always able to get the same doctor that i want unless if the doctor is on leave... as for the appointment, i might have to wait for a bit like 2 days maximum... i hope you get things all sorted out and get better soon gabs... hugs and kisses for you and gissi... take care and have a nice day...

It is hard here to get in to a new doctor. I have retired two of the best in my opinion. I am glad the on call doctor turned out well for you. I am glad the nurse thought to advise you of the best choice. Around here if you get "fit in" at that late a time of day you may be there forever, and that would be stressful too. Always try to take the first appointment of the day or the first after lunch if you have a choice.

Hi Gabs, i am so sorry to hear that you are passing from tough times. I do believe that doctors and medicine can help you but if you do not fight and help yourself, you wont make any progress. I believe that even if you have the best doctor in the world you must do your part. I hope that you have family support thus it will make things a bit easier for you. I have been there, experienced it in my family. I hope that you have an area of interest. Develop your talents or have time for yourself. Make sure that you don't have idle time. If you keep yourself occupied, less time to think less time to get depressed. I am not a medical doctor so I can't give much contribution regarding tablets or medicine. Up till now the general practioner is very popular in Malta. He makes home visits and gets to know us on first name basis. He gains medical information not only about you, but also about your siblings, parents and other relatives. I hope that you get your appointments sorted.

so, you should've taken the doc in May and STILL scheduled the one for tomorrow....

so sad. Gabs, I would seriously recommend you to get registered with some alternative therapist. And, learn some wonderful LIFE-SAVING techniques. How about learning to BREATHE? lols.. no, seriously, learning to breathe properly. And, how about learning to live like a HUMAN? ... again, lols. Seriously, we are forgetting to be human beings. the social animals, depending on each other, helping and loving and caring. Without the involvement of saying a THANKYOU or asking for a prior appointment. Or even paying. I have found a forum, though they charge a fee for registration, would be always available to suggest preventive methods. But, .. try something in your locale find some DOCTOR, who will not treat you as your DNA, or something like that. Find someone, who cares you as a HUMAN BEING.

It seems that's how things work now, unless of course you do have a private doctor. Both my mother and grandmother were outpatients at the hospital near me, and it was the same deal. Neither saw the same doctor for their appointments, just whomever was available for their appointments, heck when my mother be in the hospital different times, it wasn't even the same doctor each DAY to check up on her. And yes, it did seem when they made appointments it be weeks to wait. The only way to see a doctor pronto, right away would be to go to the ER

Same here...if something hurts you have to wait two weeks? We do have three different options for quick medical attention...but like you say you see someone different everytime....not a good situation.

Same thing over here, it's almost impossible to get a same day appointment with anybody, and often you have to go with a doctor that you don't know even if you are sick enough. Hope you feel better soon...

I wish I knew, gabs. I keep telling my girls I can't go to a doctor because I don't know what date I'll be ill on. It seems it's more important to have managers than doctors now. Reading the notes could be helpful.

so sad. Gabs, I would seriously recommend you to get registered with some alternative therapist. And, learn some wonderful LIFE-SAVING techniques. How about learning to BREATHE? lols.. no, seriously, learning to breathe properly. And, how about learning to live like a HUMAN? ... again, lols. Seriously, we are forgetting to be human beings. the social animals, depending on each other, helping and loving and caring. Without the involvement of saying a THANKYOU or asking for a prior appointment. Or even paying. I have found a forum, though they charge a fee for registration, would be always available to suggest preventive methods. But, .. try something in your locale find some DOCTOR, who will not treat you as your DNA, or something like that. Find someone, who cares you as a HUMAN BEING.

Hi gabs, I've had the good fortune of having the same family doctor for more than 25 years but as he isn't much younger than me, I fear that he may be retiring soon. I hope that you find a good doctor, someone who will understand your situation and who you feel relaxed and comfortable with. Take good care. Blessings.

That's a shame, Gabs. It is about the same way here w/doctors. They could care less. I am very unhappy w/the one i'm going to but the choices are scarce around here. They could care less, all u are to them is a dollar sign. I don't know what happened w/them & compassion. I hope u are soon feeling better & can find u a good doctor there. I'll wish u alot of luck because i feel like u will need it.

Hi gabs, I think its just awful what you have to go through, these days it hell, years ago we never had any problem and yet in this day and age with computers, you wold think its straight forward as they should have had all your notes, maybe they just cannot be bothered. Love and hugs. Tamara xxx

I don't have the problem you have with doctors. I've been seeing the same doctor for 30 some years, and before that, I saw his Dad. I'm afraid though the situation may be changing with the new health care law that was passed in the U.S. First, my doctor is thinking of retiring because of it. So I may be in the same boat as you, soon. As for the depression, I suffer from depression as well. And yes, I have to change medications every so many years, because they just stop working and all I want to do is sleep. I'll wait for your next post to see how your appointment went.