gah!
I hate trying to get through to the cunting doctors' surgery on a Monday morning. twenty minutes so far of engaged tone apart from one ring tone that went to a recorded message* saying they were closed (they're supposed to open for appointments at 8.15am) and one where it rang and rang and rang. bastards!!

*message said: "we are now closed. if you have a life-threatening emergency, please call nine...nine...nine" as if speaking slowly for the number to be written down

[edit] ringing again, but not being answered...
[edit2] cunting answering machine again!!
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:37, archived)

Tried NHS direct
or do you need to make an appointment?
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:40, archived)

I could try NHS24
(we don't have NHS Direct in Scotland any more) but they would most likely tell me to see a GP
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:41, archived)

I've had that problem
and I find it generally works better if you turn up at the surgery at doors open; the receptionists ignore phones a lot more readily than someone standing there.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:51, archived)

doesn't work here
I've been there in the waiting room and seen people try that and they've been sent away to phone in. it's crazy
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:52, archived)

So you could conceivably stand in reception, 2 feet away from the receptionist
and call on your mobile phone for an appointment?

The world's gone mad, I tell you.
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:59, archived)

they'd probably tell you
there were none left for the day and to call again in the morning
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:00, archived)

Or tell you that mobile phones are not to be used
in doctors surgeries because of interfering with dialysis machines or kettles or something.
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:02, archived)

Mindpiss.

( Druid, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:00, archived)

*mops ear*

( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:02, archived)

I would stand at reception and call them on my mobile.

( Druid, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:00, archived)

*feels pulse*

Say Ahh! *looks in throat*

*listens to heart*

*gives lollipop for being a brave girl*
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:40, archived)

you want to look in my throat?
ok, my tonsils yesterday and today (not very nice really)
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:50, archived)

Ouch
tried gargling saltwater? but Tyrocaine (or Tyrozets) lozenges are the dog's bollocks for tonsilitis.

/had tonsilitis A Lot
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:56, archived)

I've tried the saltwater but it made me gag and then thow up
which wasn't nice. I'm taking strepsils, soothers, lemsip and honey and hot honey and lemonade. also ibuprofen when I can manage to swallow it.

it's a fucking public holiday today, that's why I can't get through. NHS24 it is then
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:59, archived)

Public holiday?
Has Telly Savalas Day come round again? It doesn't seem 2 minutes since the last one!
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:05, archived)

4th of July
doesn't everyone celebrate the Americans fucking off?
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:06, archived)

coincidence
it's the first day of Trades
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:08, archived)

"Americans fucking off"?
When did that happen? They keep on coming back, like an irritating cousin.
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:09, archived)

That's probably why
it's not an official holiday.

irritating inbred
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:11, archived)

*faints*
I'm assuming that white residue at the back of your throat isn't from recreational activities?
( Johnny Catfish - Yowsa!, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:57, archived)

arf!

( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:57, archived)

if only t'were that innoccuous
that's the infection
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 9:00, archived)

I'm a doctor!*
*may be is lies
( The Coast Of Yemen, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:42, archived)

I understand.
I had to make a doctors appointment, so called and managed to get through at 8:45 (It opens at 8:30). The lady said that there were no more appointments for today, and I should call again tomorrow - I explained that I start work at 7:30, and have to drive nearly 2 hours to get there, I'd already lost one morning and couldn't I make an appointment for tomorrow now?

She said there was nothing she could do.

I think I'll just die of cancer, it's quicker.
( Druid, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:43, archived)

that's the problem
with these same-day appointment systems
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:46, archived)

I assume it's to meet government targets,
so no-one is waiting longer than a day because they don't let you make an appointment unless it's for the same day. That's probably not going to help people like me who have a worry but don't normally go to the doctor (ie men).

I'm lucky in that I get paid if I take a few hours off, but I know my boss will get mightily pissed off if I have to take mornings off all week on the off-chance I might get to see the doctor.
( Druid, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:53, archived)

my surgery does have
a few appointments bookable in advance so when I wanted one to take Mr V to I argued about him not being able to book time off work at short notice and they gave me an appointment for later in the week
( Jadeviper was still alive on, Mon 4 Jul 2005, 8:55, archived)