The Retirement Thread

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BoldonLad

Not part of the Elite
Location
South Tyneside
DUnno how it works in the remote parts of the empire

but I help out with Age UK and often help older people (looks at thread title knowingly!) with the NHS Ap

One of the things that works here in the heart of the Empire is using the NHS App and using the "contect you GP abotu a health problem"

it does go through a lot of questions
but the GP will read it today and if they think you need an appointment then they have extras they can allocate if they think they are needed


whether or not this is how it should work in another matter
but it works when I do it - with our GP

I did get a phone call saying "can you be here in 30 minutes - we have just had a cancellation" once!!

This may be a rash assumption, but, I assume there is only one version of the NHS App in circulation?

The version I have (downloaded from Apple Store, automatic updates set to yes), appears to have several flaws, which may or may not be due to it's use by our GP Surgery. For example:

- although both myself and Mrs @BoldonLad have "repeat prescriptions", which are reviewed annually, they do not show up in the NHS App, thus any "hiccup" in the smooth flow of medication (it does happen regularly), means I have to phone the surgery, and, listen to a recorded message telling me I can resolve this problem via the NHS App, before being put in a queue to await a "Care Navigator" (formerly known as a Receptionist.

- it is only possible to book a GP Appointment with the NHS App, annual reviews are conducted by a "Nurse Associate", it no possible to book an appointment with a "Nurse Associate", necessitating a phone call to the surgery, with recorded message and queue, as above

I have raised these points with one of the GPs, and, with a couple of "Care Navigators", pointing out it is a waste of my time and theirs, why not just fix it? The response from the "Care Navigators" was a shrug of the shoulders, from the GP, "it is Governments fault".
 

SpokeyDokey

69, & my GP says I will officially be old at 70!
Moderator
This may be a rash assumption, but, I assume there is only one version of the NHS App in circulation?

The version I have (downloaded from Apple Store, automatic updates set to yes), appears to have several flaws, which may or may not be due to it's use by our GP Surgery. For example:

- although both myself and Mrs @BoldonLad have "repeat prescriptions", which are reviewed annually, they do not show up in the NHS App, thus any "hiccup" in the smooth flow of medication (it does happen regularly), means I have to phone the surgery, and, listen to a recorded message telling me I can resolve this problem via the NHS App, before being put in a queue to await a "Care Navigator" (formerly known as a Receptionist.

- it is only possible to book a GP Appointment with the NHS App, annual reviews are conducted by a "Nurse Associate", it no possible to book an appointment with a "Nurse Associate", necessitating a phone call to the surgery, with recorded message and queue, as above

I have raised these points with one of the GPs, and, with a couple of "Care Navigators", pointing out it is a waste of my time and theirs, why not just fix it? The response from the "Care Navigators" was a shrug of the shoulders, from the GP, "it is Governments fault".

Care Navigators. 😄😄😄
 
Location
Widnes
This may be a rash assumption, but, I assume there is only one version of the NHS App in circulation?

The version I have (downloaded from Apple Store, automatic updates set to yes), appears to have several flaws, which may or may not be due to it's use by our GP Surgery. For example:

- although both myself and Mrs @BoldonLad have "repeat prescriptions", which are reviewed annually, they do not show up in the NHS App, thus any "hiccup" in the smooth flow of medication (it does happen regularly), means I have to phone the surgery, and, listen to a recorded message telling me I can resolve this problem via the NHS App, before being put in a queue to await a "Care Navigator" (formerly known as a Receptionist.

- it is only possible to book a GP Appointment with the NHS App, annual reviews are conducted by a "Nurse Associate", it no possible to book an appointment with a "Nurse Associate", necessitating a phone call to the surgery, with recorded message and queue, as above

I have raised these points with one of the GPs, and, with a couple of "Care Navigators", pointing out it is a waste of my time and theirs, why not just fix it? The response from the "Care Navigators" was a shrug of the shoulders, from the GP, "it is Governments fault".

I have seen this with my clients from the charity - it is normally solved by contacting the GP and telling them what the problems is - it can only be fixed at their end
I find that it is normally better to go down there for stuff like this
but I am retired so time is not an issue!
 

Drago

Legendary Member
Sleeting here in Poshshire.
 

PaulSB

Squire
@BoldonLad I would say there is only one version of the NHS app but there is also MyGP. My experience is one should use both but in separate manners.

I find my NHS app doesn't instantly update data. I do find it excellent for viewing my entire medical history, checking information etc. I never use it for appointments, prescriptions.

MyGP works well for prescriptions and appointments. I think it's probably more directly linked to the surgery. The medical history one can see is limited unless you request, in writing, deeper access. I've never bothered. There seems to be something clever one can do with a bar code to link to the NHS app. Again I haven't bothered to avoid breaking something that works well. If you go to Google Playstore you can see multiple images of the info that's available. You will need to get your GP Practice to enable the app after installation.......I forget how but it just involves a simple request.

For obvious reasons I'm only putting up limited screenshots from my phone.

Screenshot_20260203_163421_One UI Home.jpg


Screenshot_20260203_163658_myGP.jpg
 

gavroche

Getting old but not past it
Location
North Wales
Do you have the MyGP or NHS apps? It is mandatory for practices to offer online booking. This is specifically to counter the 8.00am rush.

Introduced 1st October 2025. I've used it twice. I've been able to choose my doctor, day and time. I like to choose my GP because there is one I refuse to see, though would if it was life-threatening.

I chatted briefly with the GP and he said it works very though people forgetting to cancel appointments they no longer need is an issue. If at all possible I only ring at 8.00am for an emergency.

Apparently, if we turn up at the surgery at 8.20 am, we can book an appointment over the counter so guess where we will be tomorrow morning ?
 
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