is there a maximum waiting time for an appointment for a paitient to see their GP?

Question

My colleague is having to wait 3 weeks to have an appointment see his GP. Do patients have to wait for a length of time or is there a way they can demand an appointment?

Answer 1

I cant believe your friend has to wait 3 wks,i have to wait only a day.If its a urgent medical problem demand an earlier appt you and your friend as patients has right (patients charter) if no luck complain to the medical board.Good Luck

Answer 2

I don't think so. I'm surprised the waiting list is so long though - is your colleague only able to go along out of work hours? That will restrict the times available to him/her considerably and I think surgeries often think that, unless it's an emergency (for which there are reserved emergency appointments) then it will wait.
I don't believe a particular doctor has an obligation to treat a specific patient, so it's worth being polite to them.

If it's so serious it can't wait, get an emergency appointment of go to A&E (I assume you're in the UK...)

Answer 3

the gp that i go to depends how busy she is some times get in a day or two after phoning for appointment some times a little longer if its urgent should see you same day

Answer 4

You go "DEMANDING" and your doctor will tell you to take a hike!
He/she has a sucessful practice that would not at all be uncommon. I lived in Seattle, WA where the average appointment took two- three months! If you had an emergency you need to go to the "EMERGENCY" room! That's pretty much a "no brainer"!

Answer 5

Its supposed to be 2 weeks but my GP never has any appointments and nothing gets done about it.
Too many hypocondriac grannies out there.

Answer 6

or schedual an urgent appointment but it will be expensive