A Visit to My General Practitioner

This morning I went to my General Practitioner (GP) because of abdominal pains the night before. My GP surgery is in Tynemouth Road, London N15. This is my first in about 5 years. The last time I went there, the GP that attended to me told me that I was wasting his time because I complained of a pain in my groin, when I challenged his comments, he quickly retracted his statement blaming a work overload for his silly ranting. I reminded him that in light of men's reluctance to visit their GPs, he should be appreciative of the likes of me who visit their GPs only when they suspect something wrong with their general health. I also reminded him that considering that prior to that visit, I had not been to his surgery or any other for that matter in 10 years, to refer to me as a time waster was rude and disrespectful. He did apologise in the end but his comment is indicative of what many GPs think of their patients.

Although I have been experiencing this abdominal pain since Monday 16 April, I though it best to wait in case it was just an indigestion, as it turned out, 3 days after my first pain, the problem persisted. I called my GP to book an appointment only to be told that it was fully booked, but if I turn up before the surgery opens, I might be seen by a doctor. As I was up all night in terrible pain, I made sure that I was up this morning so that I will be - possibly, the first in the queue (since a queueing system existed). By 7am, I was third in the queue and waited for an hour and fifteen minutes for the surgery to open - 8.15am. In spite of my pain, when I saw the receptionist, she bluntly told me that the doctor cannot see me because I had not booked an appointment. Immediately, one is caught in this revolving door - you cannot be seen unless you book an appointment, and when you try to book an appointment, they are fully booked, but is advised to turn up early if you want to see a doctor and when you turn up, one is again told that you cannot see a doctor because you had no appointment.

It would appear that while GPs are happy to have you on their book, they are not willing to treat or even see you. I was told to go to the hospital!!! SO what exactly is the use of a GP if I cannot see any of them. I was even berated for not seeing my GP regularly. They should commend me for making less use of the service because I take good care of myself and not condemn me for being careful.