Community for asking and answering any question related to the life, the people or anything related to the UK.
Some places may allow you to ask for a "double appointment", and even take a pre-written list in (I once had to do this after waiting months for an appointment).
The receptionist will look at you as though you just pulled down your trousers and pants and shat directly on their desk, but they may reluctantly strain themselves to click the box to give you a bit of extra time.
That's really helpful, thank you! I'm going to tell this to a friend who has put off GP visits for too long and I'll bear it in mind for the future
Just bear in mind that it's dependent on where you live, and possibly the specific GPs, whether they'll allow this or not.
Fair enough, thank you.
No harm in trying. The GP could possibly schedule more appointments for you, bypassing the annoyances of getting through reception
If the symptoms are connected, such as sinus infection and bad cough, tell the doctor. If unrelated, such as sinus infection and knee pain, book another appointment.
Put it this way: if you you don't tell them about your other problems what will happen?
The NHS exists for your health, not for the convenience of receptionists or any other employee, despite how they might try to make you feel otherwise.
This isn't a moral or political point. If you insist on your health issues being addressed they will see to it. You have rights.
The culture of fobbing people off probably does reduce load on the NHS in the short term because it deters timewasters, but it also deters people with genuine problems who are entitled to treatment.
If it makes you feel better about 'being a burden' just remember that you will be more resource-intensive for them to treat the longer your issues are left to worsen.
I once brought up an additional concern while I was in the room with the GP. He said "you're not supposed to do two issues in one appointment, but go ahead anyway"