Out of hours GP service I need a rant

[Digeroo]

We have a new system and it took me 12 minutes on the phone being asked all sorts of random and irrelevant questions by someone who seems to have no idea what they are talking about, before they will even refer me to the out of hours GP service.  Seems they will not refer you to the out of hours service until the computer triggers something and says its ok.   Then someone was supposed ring me back within the next hour and then I will need to drive for 25 minutes.  Next time I think I will have to pretend I am having a heart attack or something. 

I do not think the computer can understand I am ok at them moment but by this afternoon things may have gone pear shaped.   Somehow my symptoms did not trigger a you need to see a doctor asap response.

I know what the problem is and I am supposed to see a doctor as soon as possible if it flares up.
The first time I had the problem I was in hospital for most of a week.   

In the end I went to the small injuries unit and they sent me straight through to the GP service.  I had already seen the doc and got the treatment I needed and 2.5 hours after I first called the out of hours GP service I finally got the call back from the doctor from 111.  So much for the 'within an hour'.     

I know they are trying to save money but I am not sure how much they think they will save if I end up in hospital for a week quite unnecessarily. 

[Digeroo]

[Yorkshire Lass]

I agree with everything you have said. It's a disgraceful situation. The person at the end of the 111 line has a form to complete with about 30 questions with tickboxes and you have to have a tick against a certain number before you can be referred on to the on call doctor service. These people are not medically qualified either.
No wonder the A & E depts are stretched because people are turning up there because of the lack of GP service.
The system worked  well in our area before this was introduced when you could ring the on call doctor and speak directly to them.
So Digeroo I'll join your rant!
Anne

[antipodes]

The more I hear about the medical system in the UK, the more frightened I get! It sounds horrendous.
If there is really a problem, our GP will squeeze you in between two appointments. If it is the middle of the night, they have a thing here called SOS Medecins (SOS Doctor) who will visit you at home, if what you describe on the phone sounds serious enough. On Sundays there is a medical centre that will see you for urgent but not life threatening things (like infected wounds, minor injuries etc).
Honestly, when people have a pre existing condition, it is nonsense to fob them off. It is plausible for Joe Bloggs to know he is ill and know that some treatment is required!!!

[steve76]

the move to 111 was the worst thing ever, it is manned by people of the street so to speak who just read a scrip from a computer no human input is allowed
Yes it has increased work load for both A&E and the ambulance service, to the point where they are stacking calls for crews when they book clear,
Yes if you hadn't guessed it i work for the ambulance service and the word from the crews is its the biggest mistake ever, that with the rota change to save money (ie less crews mainly at nights) is a disaster waiting to happen, but then they are very good a covering their tracks - ie bullsh****g