The Old should get checked out.

So we old folk are expected to get the doctor to check out all our aches, pains and lumps as they may be serious, well yes IF you could get an appointment and like My doctor said to me after a Wait of 2 weeks to see him about one thing, went on to say "while I'm here doctor, can i mention...."
"Well if its quick, I don't have much time", he cut me off.

So that's it wait 2 weeks to see the doctor then limited to one item discussed per visit - when did these rules come in?

On 7/11/14 I rang Doctors to make an appt, made a Doctors appointment, earliest I could get was Mon 24th Nov

Having seen the Doctor he referred me for an X-ray and blood tests

X-ray at Louth is just walk-in. So I can go there ASAP 9-16:30 M-F

Blood test the earliest I can be seen for this is December 15^th!

They said that they have a shortage of staff - its not just Doctors. Surely out of the East Lincs Trust there are other Doctors/surgeries. I accept that some people really need to be able to get to see their nearest doctor and traveling to Mablethorpe is difficult in its self. they can get a bus to Mabo but then its a liongwalk to the actual surgery on Stanley Avenue.

Personally i can go to Mablethorpe no bother if it means I get seen earlier or at a convenient time. It often seems that they don't understand that some people actually work! Most of their clients don't and can come anytime.

I suggest that East Lincs Trust try seeing what services ALL their GP practices can Pool and offer times for services at alternative practices - none of them are miles away. After all if you are referred to a hospital, as I was, in this case it was Louth which again is not easy to access if you don't drive but I've been for a scan and that was Grimsby! 30+ miles and over an hour away.

What is it with this "exclusiveness" of GPs? If I took ill whilst at my Son's in Cumbria I wouldn't expect them to say "go to your GP in Mablethorpe" would I. Hospitals serve the area so why not some collaboration between GPs?

I then went to see the "Nurse" for a blood test on Monday, 15th. No problem there and surprisingly I had an ECG. I wasn't expectiong that. then I asked "what about the results, what do I do, ring in a week?"

"No", she said "if you hear nothing all's OK. the doctor will let you know if he wants to see you."

Later that day I got a call the doctor wants to discuss your results, well he hadn't got the blood tests so is my ECG bad?

I rang for an appointment, Tuesday next week, another 8days to wait so surely it can't be urgent. All together remember I rang to make an appointment beginning of November but couldn't be seen for over 2 weeks and now its still ongoing over 2 months. They say get "checked out" , don't wait but no wonder folk go to A&E. if it is serious we've wasted 2 months when I could be getting treatment.

Bah.