Phone system could be improved
Recently I have had to use the GP phone appointment triage system. The hold times for reception to actually get through have been ridiculous - on one occasion I was trying for almost 30 minutes then when I finally got through there was a very long covid message, before I got to 2nd in the queue the system cut me off! The phone system could definitely be improved, and more receptionists should be made available first thing in the morning when appointments are released as I feel sorry fir them being bombarded. It also means they have to rush through booking & some can then loose the personal touch and appear ÔshortÕ which I am sure is unintentional. However, once I had got through I was told the GP would call me back, which they did & I felt I was really listened to. On one occasion I felt bad (& told the GP as such) as I only wanted a repeat prescription but had I take up an appointment to request this. I felt that there should be some other way to request this such as via email or web form where I didn't have to use an appointment that somebody else might have needed. On another appointment I received a phone triage. This was for an issue where the doctor needed to see me for a physical examination. Unfortunately, my phone triage was on a Friday afternoon. They therefore could not get me booked for the physical exam until Tuesday as there was a bank holiday. The appointment was with another GP so I had to explain everything again. I couldn't fault the care & attention shown by both GP's & understand that measures are required due to Covid, but this meant that I had to have a second appointment which somebody else could have had & a delay of 4 days. Triage is great for some if it is something that is simple that can be carried out over the phone. However I wonder if there is a way of potentially noting the nature of the issue somehow when the appointment is requested and those who may need a physical consultation be triaged first so that they could come in later on the same day if this was then needed? Prize Draw Data