Tips for dealing with your doctor
Your GP
Appointments with your GP can be difficult to get. But don't let that put you off if you're really worried about something.
See your GP if
1. You have symptoms which may seem minor (eg a cough) but haven't improved in two weeks.
2. You have a lump which has recently appeared.
3. You have a health complaint which you believe can't be treated by any of the experts above.
Tips for dealing with doctors
1. Consider a telephone consultation. Face-to-face appointments aren't always necessary. Many doctors are happy to give advice and prescribe medication over the phone. So be open to this suggestion if it's offered to you.
2. Find out if you can book your GP's appointment online. Some surgeries now offer this service and it's much less stressful than hanging on the phone for ages or pressing re-dial. For more information go to www.directgov.co.uk
3. If you have more than one problem to discuss, make sure you book a double appointment. The average appointment slot is only 8 minutes and there's nothing your GP dreads more than someone saying 'while I'm here doctor, could you just...'
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