Well I'm in Spain and it's not the NHS, but the Social Security, but it's the same and just as inneficient. This is my story:

The thing is I've been waiting for a month (I'm 8weeks pg), since I found out I was pg, to get seen to by the docs, only to find that when I went today, there was no doctor and they don't know when she'll be back because she's ill!!!! I understand people get ill and can't tell you before hand they'll be ill (I phoned to confirm my appt yesterday) but can they not get someone to take over??? Can they not phone and spare you the travel and the wait??? I took the day off work to go, hubby did too, only to find it was for nothing. Not only that, but they had a notice on the door saying "speak to administration office" so I had to wait for almost an hour for them to say "oh, she only called in sick this morning, there's no one to take over..." I answered "I don't care! If someone gets ill in the hotel I work in, they phone me, even wake me up, and ask me to come to work in a hurry to take over, and I'm only an extra worker, without a contract, but they do what they have to do to cover thieir service. And this is the NHS and you can't sort your doctors out for a morning shift mon-fri. It's ridiculous"

So I placed a complaint, explaining about not seeing any doctor yet, and it's my first pregnancy. I don't know what I'm supposed to do or anything. Plus I've taken time off work, hubby too, and I'm exposed to one hour of people coughing and spluttering and no solution. They said they'd call me when they have a doc, could be tomorrow, next week or whenever. (I have seen a private doc, but if I don't have money then what, I wouldn't even know the basics about folic acid or what I'm supposed to eat... I wouldn't even know if I'm truly pg, it's not ectopic, or what have you)

Makes me wonder if with the recession there are no jobs going, or if the problem is they're not willing to pay when there is work to be done.

Please ladies, don't let these things happen, place a complaint each and every time you feel you're not treated right. They're not late or don't have any excuses or mistakes when they have to take money from your wages are they??? They're fast enough to take money but not to do what they're supposed to do!!!
I'm soooo annoyed

i agree with the incompetence of people!.

Im now 9 weeks, Found out at 4!.. It irritates me that i havent seen a single doc yet!.. I would have thought they should confirm it or something.. and my booking in app isnt until the 21st when il be 10weeks!.

I mean its not quite the same situation as you.. but to ring the surgery and be told " o doctors dont really care about pregnant people. you see a midwife for that" i thought hmmmm lovely way to treat people!

But they do get paid a fair bit of money and have a stable job so I don't see how they can get away with these things. I can't go taking time off work for nothing, specially as I haven't told my boss I'm pg yet, and I don't want to tell until I'm 12 weeks pg.

I think there should be more check-ups more often and if they don't have enough docs, get more!!! There are tonnes that graduate every year!!!

Thanks for answering and I'd advise to go private if you can afford it and are worried. That's what I did, as I didn't have a clue on what I had to do, I'd been ill and taking meds in the first few weeks as I didn't know I was pregnant and I've bled also. It's just not good enough.

Sorry you had a rubbish experience but doctors are humans too. This wasn't the "NHS walking all over you" - it was the incompetency of one practice.

Sorry, I understand people can get ill, that's not what I'm annoyed about, I'm annoyed because I've had to wait 1 month, it's my first pregnancy and I didn't have a clue on what to do or not to do. I had to pay to make sure everything was ok and I don't think it's just one practice, they're all the same here, you get your appt for ages after you have a problem and they don't always treat you right. I had a flu, my job is to work with mentally challenged people, that also have other ilnesses asociated and are prone to catch any little infection we bring in. Well they said I didn't look ill, although I spent every night coughing like a dog, with a snotty nose and still they didn't want me to take time off work, even if my patients are at risk. This happened 2 of the 3 times I went to get seen to, I had loads of medicine and was pg (I didn't know) and my fever just wouldn't go.

I think they're generally incompetent and they should have substitutes because this is not the third world and people need to be seen when they need to be seen to! And the least they could have done is phone me, they I would have gone to work and so would have hubby. It's not so difficult to be considerate and they haven't even given me a solution, they'll call me whenever she gets better, so I'll prob have to take another day off. It's just not good enough. I do my job and they get someone to take over, simple as that. And I contribute to the Social Security so it is my right to be seen to.

I just want to add something to this. I went to my doctors last night and actually heard the receptionist calling people with appointments for the following day to advise them that the dcotor had rung in sick and could they reschedule their appointment for a later date or the next day with the relief doctor. I know there are bad things that happen on the NHS but it really does depend on the area you live. Each GP is responsible for their own budgets and procedures although they are governed by the department of health. Same with the hospitals, if the hospital is a foundation trust they are completely independent.

At the end of the day, it takes time to deal with complaints. Someone has to review them, reply to them, investigate etc. All of which time, could be better used. I'm not saying don't complain by any means, just keep it in perspective.

I for one believe that the NHS is pushed to it's limits and the vast majority of it's workers are very competant and caring individuals. They are understaffed yes and of course they are also human so mistakes happen. I feel like this thread could be seen as a tad unfair on those staff who always go the extra mile. Many of my friends have had babies under the NHS and cannot praise them enough especially when something goes wrong god forbid! And this is my first baby and so far I'm am extremely happy with the service I have received from the NHS. Only my opinion though so don't shoot me!!!!! Xxx

I can totally understand how you feel being pregnant for the first time, but pregnancy is not a medical condition and even though it is totally understanding that you were looking forward to this first appointment, from a clinical point of view, it wasn't urgent. They can't help a doctor falling ill, and they would have prioritised poorly patients to see someone else on that day over you.

it is totally normal not to get any treatment early in the pregnancy because there isn't much to be done at that stage especially when there is no reason to think there is anything wrong. I certainly don't think it warranted a complaint.

But I do remember the excitment and anxiety of being pregnant for the first time. You'll see after your 2nd or 3rd (if you go that way!), you'll me moaning that you have to go to your appointments!

This post has made me pretty angry. I agree with the 2 previous posts. The NHS does not run like a private organisation and on the whole, the NHS does a superb job. Ask someone who has cancer treatment or whose child is in intensive care.

I have had to attend many medical appointments (at 3 different hospitals acros the country) over the past few months and there wasn't single negative incident. My NHS consultant spent about 40 minutes with me - about the same as my private consultant. I am fortunate to be able to go private whenever I choose but I can honestly say the standard of advice and care is no different - things just get done quicker. My GP has said that I can call her whenever I need any advice because she knows what I have been through. I have seen how hard doctors in intensive care units fight to save the lives of babies. So yes, before encouraging others to stage a protest, some perspective is a good thing.

Pregnancy is not an illness and booking appointments don't usually take place until 7/8 weeks. The NHS website is full of info about what to do if you are pregnant.

I am not saying the NHS is perfect but much is out of the control of the actual medical staff. Please go easy. Imagine if we didn't have it. That would be much worse for you.

I STILL Havent been seen...
I wont be seen until Saturday, and thats at a drop in centre. I'll be nearly 11 weeks.
I was 8 weeks when I had my first appointment with DS