Here in Canberra my partner and I have anything from 1 week to 3 weeks wait for an appointment with our doctors.
We'd heard about a doctor shortage in the bush so were very surprised in Katherine NT, when he got an appointment in 2 hours!
How long do others have to wait, and where are you?
goinsoon said
10:02 PM Dec 8, 2011
I am at Jimboomba (Qld) and doctor is at nearby New Beith and I usually get in same day or the very neast next day (this is a busy surgery)
I think this is due to how well it is run and the doctors stick to appointment times and police extended appointments
Happywanderer said
10:03 PM Dec 8, 2011
Usually about a week here, sometimes I've had to wait two weeks.
Elle on Wheels said
10:20 PM Dec 8, 2011
Geez that's really bad Gerty especially in Canberra. I'm in Denmark WA and normally have to wait a week at the most but if it's urgent, the doctors have emergency appointments set aside and if they are full then I can go to the local hospital.
Helena said
07:30 AM Dec 9, 2011
We in the Southern side of Adelaide have the same set up with our doctors as Elle does so it isn't too bad. Helena.
Father Ted said
07:41 AM Dec 9, 2011
Here at the Tea gardens medical center you can usually get an appointment within an hour.If you are picky about which Doc you want to see it takes longer of course.Bulk billing available.
Ma said
07:42 AM Dec 9, 2011
In Ulladulla you usually have to book about a month in advance.
They do have prescription only appointments that you can usually get with a weeks notice.
All other things - GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
-- Edited by Ma on Friday 9th of December 2011 07:43:44 AM
Gerty Dancer said
08:43 AM Dec 9, 2011
I should have said that that waiting time was to see our own GP. If desperate we can get an appointment within a day or 2 with some other doctor in their practices.
Geez, Ma, that sounds pretty desperate!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Friday 9th of December 2011 12:15:20 PM
Esmeralda said
11:55 AM Dec 9, 2011
If I ring early enough - same day otherwise next day - for preferred doctor.
Ma said
02:44 PM Dec 9, 2011
Any wonder I have already made appointments for when we get back from Tassie in March next year.
Travel Bug said
04:47 PM Dec 9, 2011
I go to a Medical Centre in Brisbane's South West and I see my choice of Doctor, on the same day, even Sunday if neccessary.
I forgot to add that I have gone to the same Doctor for several years. He is very good and often phones me with test results etc; as soon as he recieves them, in order to save me a visit or the anxiety of waiting.
(Edited to add 2nd paragraph )
-- Edited by Travel Bug on Friday 9th of December 2011 09:41:49 PM
Happywanderer said
05:39 PM Dec 9, 2011
In some cases you just about have to make the appointment before you even know you are going to need it.
Beth54 said
09:00 PM Dec 9, 2011
I've done that once or twice Marj!
There are lots of doctors around here for me to choose from, but I still go to my GP of more than 25 years.
Generally it's about a 2 week wait for her. I can see other doctors in the practice, I just choose not to.
But she has told me on several occassions, if I need to see her, she will fit me in, and she has done so many times.
I try not to abuse it though. I only use that tactic on the receptionists when I really have to. One time I rang in the morning and she couldn't see me til the evening, and she apologised to me for the wait!
She's a very caring doctor, almost like a friend, she's seen me through so much.
Cruising Granny said
10:14 PM Dec 9, 2011
Northern suburbs, Adelaide. Malaysian doctors, and I've been very impressed. I think they recognise severity of illness fairly quickly, because when I first started to see them 12 months ago I had no trouble. I carry medical records of chronic health issues and recent surgery. If urgent, appointment same day within an hour or 2. Maybe my own doc or a partner, but that can be a good thing. Another opinion can sometimes resolve things quicker.
sucastja said
07:34 AM Dec 10, 2011
my doctor is booked weeks in advance, unless you want to pay extra and have an after hours appointment. Wouldn't want to be really sick - and if you're going to be, make sure you plan it ahead!! Can get in earlier if you want to see one of her side kicks
lilly31 said
12:25 PM Dec 10, 2011
Here in tamworth you have to wait at least 2 weeks unless you wont last that long and that up to who ever is on the desk that day when you ring .. ...You can go to hospital and wait up to 6 hours , i never have but that because i have a few medical issues.... I have been with same doctor for 14 years .....sometime i think it time to change ..
jimsiron said
01:42 PM Dec 11, 2011
I have same day appointment with my preferred GP in Mildura. If later in day would be next morning though but has always fitted me into schedule without much problem. regards Jimsiron
Vic said
12:42 AM Dec 13, 2011
Elle on Wheels wrote:
Geez that's really bad Gerty especially in Canberra. I'm in Denmark WA and normally have to wait a week at the most but if it's urgent, the doctors have emergency appointments set aside and if they are full then I can go to the local hospital.
When I was in Denmark awhile back Elle, I had a problem and went to the local hospital, but they didn't have a doctor on duty and needed to be prescribed some drugs, the rang the local medical centre and managed to get me in for an appointment in the afternoon. They knew I was just passing through so maybe that helped.
Let me say the nurses at the hospital were terrific and examined me in emergency first, the doctor I saw later was fantastic to. Found the people in Denmark very friendly.
Firefly said
01:09 AM Dec 13, 2011
A month in advance to see my doctor of choice. He does offer some appointments he sets aside daily but I ring right on 8 and they say he is all booked so who knows.
I ask the Front Desk Nazi's to ask him to ring me and they generally get very dirty about that. I live 45 minutes from my doctor and he knows I only go see him when I need too, like today. He rang me back within an hour.
Here in Canberra my partner and I have anything from 1 week to 3 weeks wait for an appointment with our doctors.
We'd heard about a doctor shortage in the bush so were very surprised in Katherine NT, when he got an appointment in 2 hours!
How long do others have to wait, and where are you?
I am at Jimboomba (Qld) and doctor is at nearby New Beith and I usually get in same day or the very neast next day (this is a busy surgery)
I think this is due to how well it is run and the doctors stick to appointment times and police extended appointments
Here at the Tea gardens medical center you can usually get an appointment within an hour.If you are picky about which Doc you want to see it takes longer of course.Bulk billing available.
In Ulladulla you usually have to book about a month in advance.
They do have prescription only appointments that you can usually get with a weeks notice.
All other things - GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
-- Edited by Ma on Friday 9th of December 2011 07:43:44 AM
I should have said that that waiting time was to see our own GP. If desperate we can get an appointment within a day or 2 with some other doctor in their practices.
Geez, Ma, that sounds pretty desperate!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Friday 9th of December 2011 12:15:20 PM
If I ring early enough - same day otherwise next day - for preferred doctor.
Any wonder I have already made appointments for when we get back from Tassie in March next year.
I go to a Medical Centre in Brisbane's South West and I see my choice of Doctor, on the same day, even Sunday if neccessary.
I forgot to add that I have gone to the same Doctor for several years. He is very good and often phones me with test results etc; as soon as he recieves them, in order to save me a visit or the anxiety of waiting.
(Edited to add 2nd paragraph
)
-- Edited by Travel Bug on Friday 9th of December 2011 09:41:49 PM
I've done that once or twice Marj!
There are lots of doctors around here for me to choose from, but I still go to my GP of more than 25 years.
Generally it's about a 2 week wait for her. I can see other doctors in the practice, I just choose not to.
But she has told me on several occassions, if I need to see her, she will fit me in, and she has done so many times.
I try not to abuse it though. I only use that tactic on the receptionists when I really have to. One time I rang in the morning and she couldn't see me til the evening, and she apologised to me for the wait!
She's a very caring doctor, almost like a friend, she's seen me through so much.
I think they recognise severity of illness fairly quickly, because when I first started to see them 12 months ago I had no trouble. I carry medical records of chronic health issues and recent surgery.
If urgent, appointment same day within an hour or 2. Maybe my own doc or a partner, but that can be a good thing. Another opinion can sometimes resolve things quicker.
my doctor is booked weeks in advance, unless you want to pay extra and have an after hours appointment. Wouldn't want to be really sick - and if you're going to be, make sure you plan it ahead!! Can get in earlier if you want to see one of her side kicks
regards
Jimsiron
When I was in Denmark awhile back Elle, I had a problem and went to the local hospital, but they didn't have a doctor on duty and needed to be prescribed some drugs, the rang the local medical centre and managed to get me in for an appointment in the afternoon. They knew I was just passing through so maybe that helped.
Let me say the nurses at the hospital were terrific and examined me in emergency first, the doctor I saw later was fantastic to. Found the people in Denmark very friendly.
A month in advance to see my doctor of choice. He does offer some appointments he sets aside daily but I ring right on 8 and they say he is all booked so who knows.
I ask the Front Desk Nazi's to ask him to ring me and they generally get very dirty about that. I live 45 minutes from my doctor and he knows I only go see him when I need too, like today. He rang me back within an hour.