Lady in Waiting
'You should go and see your doctor' said Matilda
MM thought about this piece of advice. Trips to the doctor were not something that she relished as they generally ended with blood tests and, being slightly needle phobic, she was loathe to put herself in that situation. However, after considering her options, particularly in light of the roasting she had given Mark the Carlisle Cockney for ignoring symptoms, she bit the bullet, got up early on Monday morning and phoned for an appointment.
'Hi, can I make an appointment for Thursday with Dr F?'
'Sorry, all the book in advance slots for then have gone.'
'Oh. Okay then, could I have an appointment sometime this week?'
'No. All the book in advance appointments have gone.'
'Could I have an appointemnt today then. Please.'
'No. It's fully booked. You need to phone earlier.'
'I tried but the line was constantly engaged'.
'Try again tomorrow.'
MM pondered on this. Nothing else for it but to wake up early again on Tuesday morning. Since her insomnia had raised it's ugly head again she would rather not have had to set her alarm to wake her after only 3 hours sleep, but needs must.
9 AM - 'Hi, could I make an appointment to see Dr F?'
'There are no appointments left, is it urgent?'
MM mused. In the grand scheme of things, no it's not urgent. However in MM's world how long until it becomes urgent? Should she wait until then? She shared her thoughts, well some of them, with the gatekeeper on the other end of the telephone.
' Phone after 2pm and tell them it's urgent, don't say I told you to though!'
Now MM is a concientious sort of person. She doesn't want to take a slot away from a dramatically poorly person but that appears to be the only way that she can get to see her GP. It's a good thing that she wasn't suffering from a stress-related illness because her quest to get an appointment with her Doc may just have been the straw that broke the camels back. She has 3 hours in which to ponder, fib now, or wait until it is urgent?
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(3.8.04 12:16) If anyone is drastically poorly, they will be seen too - anyway, don't GPs leave about two hours per day free for emergency appointments (and I imagine just like firemen who are on call and fireless, they probably play pool and watch Neighbours). Tell them it's urgent and please get well soon! xx |
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(3.8.04 12:35) Thankyou for your kind words. I'm not 'poorly', thats the dilemma. I have a life-long condition that requires medication and it's just that I am exhibiting signs of being 'under-controlled'. Matilda has the same thing and so recognised the deterioration. |
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(3.8.04 12:49) No hesitation Midwife. Call at 2. We have the same problems with our Doctor. xx |
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(3.8.04 12:55) Dave - What a silly system. It must be a relatively new thing 'cos I havn't had these problems before. |
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(3.8.04 13:03) Unfortunately, it seems that you have to 'play the game' nowadays just to get your fair share. It's very commendable, in my opinion, that you are hesitant about lying and possibly taking an appointment away from someone else. Just remember that plenty of other people would lie to get that appointment and they wouldn't hesitate to take an appointment away from you. |
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(3.8.04 13:44) Nicola - It's times like this when I would be happy to pay a nominal fee to see the Doc. That's the thin end of the wedge though. |
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(3.8.04 14:15) Just fib and see the Doctor for goodness sake! Whilst you're in there, remember to tell him what a stupid system he operates. |