Tsunabi Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hi everybody, we have an awesone RSA doc we go to but always wait between 40 to 60 minutes to see her. Is that the same all over? I am considering looking around for another doc just to cut waiting time but not if that is a standard all over.Thanks for the inputs in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 I think it totally depends on where you are and how busy the individual surgery is, but - no way, I don’t think that’s normal at all. I’d be changing doctors if we took that long – especially with a bored toddler getting restless. Our quack is usually on time and if not, then only about 5 or 10 minutes late at worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordy Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Is it possible to phone the rooms first, say an hour before the appointment and and ask if the doctor is running on time. Then simply go 45 minutes later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veronique Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 I dont usually wait more than 5 to 10 minutes and thats without an appointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eva Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 When we first arrived here and needed a doctor, it was such a mission to find one who was taking new patients, so we ended up at a new practise which bulk bills. By luck we saw a fantastic doctor who we now see each time. You can just see whoever is available first if you prefer. And we have always waited for an hour or more, so consider yourself lucky. You cannot make an appointment at the place we are going to, but as Jordy said, you can put your name down then buzz off for an hour and come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 The practice we go to is very busy, and our doc we like there is very popular. So, sometimes she is booked out for the day when I ring. But with a appointment I have never waited for more than 15mins. They also want you to ask in advance for a normal length appointment or a long one, depending on how many issues you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele R Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 I've been to 2 different docs so far (I'm still desperately trying to find a good one!) and waiting quite a while both times. Not great if you're feeling terrible. My doc I had in the US made me wait 2 hours the one time! She was the worst doc I've ever had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serendipity Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hi everybody, we have an awesone RSA doc we go to but always wait between 40 to 60 minutes to see her. Is that the same all over?Then i am way to calm from reading the other posts, on 90% of occasions we would wait this long at our RSA docs rooms, yet to try one here (touch wood we dont have to soon) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tookie Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Any appointment after 10am, you should phone the doctors room to find out if they are running on time. Often Doctors have emergencies and it only takes 1 emergency and they run late for the rest of the day. It is awfully frustrating, but I guess that emergency could be any one of us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brissy Bessies Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hi Tsunabi,What is your south african's doctors name and where is she based?Cheers,Tanya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunabi Posted June 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hi Tanya, sy is dr. Liebenberg by Browns Plains family practise. Sy is regtig goed dis net rof om so lank te wag met n 1 jarige wat die wereld vol rondhardloop en vir die deur duik di oomblik dat iemand in of uit gaan(sliding doors)Dankie almal vir di info.Talita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baileyroadrunner Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Personally i do not wait more than 30 to 40 minutes in the waiting room and then leave. I know it is self defeating and in the end I don't get to see a doctor but sometimes i am feeling so sick that i cannot stand the smell and noise in the waiting room that it is better to head home and try again to get an early morning appointment. I once waited a hour at a dentist and when i eventually got into his rooms i told him that i will be sending him my bill for my time and it was a total waste of breath because i don't think he even understood english. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 Saffer doctors (In RSA and in Aus) generally tend to overbook and to have their appointment times for 10 to 15 minutes only. This is to prevent loss of income should someone cancel or not arrive. Sorry for the ones who do arrive with an appointment and on time, as they have to wait patiently (pun intended!) while the doc counts the $$$. Almost like the cheap airlines - you're lucky if you get a seat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21yearsoutofrsa Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 I had a doctor in New Zealand that I always had to wait for. She was a great doctor, but I always had to wait.I starting taking my "office" to the doctor, cell phone lap top etc.It was very satisfying when she came to call me (30 minutes late) and I made her wait while I finished my call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 It was very satisfying when she came to call me (30 minutes late) and I made her wait while I finished my call.LOL! Wish I could do that, but I'm too ordentlik! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny & Rene Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 People I miss my SA doctor so much, yes every now and again I had to wait but it was alwasy worth it.I have been ill for 10 months now, I have 98% been diagnosed with multiplew sclerosis, after 10 months still not 100% sure, I am not on any treatment as they dont want to start something if they are not 100% sure. The firtst doctor I went to with a lazy leg and in pain told me I need a good nights rest and gave me sleeping tablets. The first neurologist said I had inflamation of the my spinal cord and also assured me there is no signs of MS on my MRi scans - 4 months later with no improvement a normal GP looked at my MRi scan and said he is sure I have MS.Every time I get referred to specialists it is a waiting period of between 4 - 12 weeks to get an appointment. 4 weeks ago blood tests was done - no results yet. 2 weeks ago a lumber punch was done - no results yet. I can hardly walk, I have to hold on to people when I do walk or hang on walls, in constant pain do not sleep at night so I am constantly tired. Every time I phone to find out if there is any results the rude woman (receptionist) tells me to be patient - does she know how it feels to live like this for 10 months and I think I have been patient for a long time.This is where I miss my SA doctor - this would have been sorted out months ago - he was good and quick.So I think the best suggestion above was to phone an hour ahead and make sure how on schedule they are. Dont wqorry about waiting a few minutes wait till you get to the point where you wait 8 weeks to see a neurologist after your case has been labelled as urgent.Good luck with the doctors in OZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 I know what you're talking about - been through 18 months of this with almost $3000 out of pocket and no further to an answer. Turned out I had a few imbalances and deficiencies which was sorted by taking supplements and adjusting my diet. After all those MRI's and tests, (and hours waiting in consultation rooms) it was that simple... I find the doctors in Aus to be very conservative in their treatment and almost too scared to make a diagnosis in case it is the wrong one (fear of being sued). "Try this and come back if it doesn't work", must be their favourite (and most frustrating!) phrase. When they do actually come to a conclusion, they are still too scared to just go for the stuff that works and you end up going back again and again. The South African doctors thend to be more "ruthless" and get the job done - I seldom had to go back for the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANDYL Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 If you have a headache - Panadene Forte, if you have a tummy ache Panadene Forte, if you have a butt ache Panadene Forte, if you have a ........ Panadol Forte. I think you can get the picture. Terrified over here to prescribe antibiotics!!! A friend of mine discovered a South African Dr and she only goes to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 if you have a butt ache Panadene Forte,Whahaha! What if you're a pain in the butt??...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mozzie Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 Myprohol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 What if you're a pain in the butt??......A Brooklax, Immodium, Ritalin, Red-Bull and Eno cocktail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele R Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 Myprohol? Good one!I suffer from chronic sinusitis, and my SA doc was an absolute gem. It gets quite bad after a while when it becomes bronchitis and I usually have to go into the clinic to get nebulised. Went to the doc here (a SA one) and he gave me antibiotics (which by the looks of things, I should be overjoyed with) but they were the weak take them for 2 weeks ones. Also, he didn't prescribe anything to take the symptoms away. My SA Doc (probably being female herself) always gave me probiotics with antibiotics to avoid any nasty itchy side effects 'down under' but he just looked at me strangely when I mentioned it.Went back last week but to another doc as he wasn't working that day...mentioned also that I've been having trouble sleeping along with the sinusitis having returned with a vengeance, and got told if I still feel like that after a month, to come back! And as for the not sleeping well because I'm quite stressed, I should also come back after a month if I still feel like that and she can organise me therapy. I just want to have a good night's sleep and then I'll get back into routine! So I don't know...guess I'll just have to live with this until I find someone who will be a real doctor.Sorry to hear about your problems Rene! Wishing you all the best and hope they can diagnose you quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 I just want to have a good night's sleep and then I'll get back into routine!Get yourself Mersendol Night - it is panadol with a little bit of oomf on top of codeïne and it will put you out like a log! You have to ask for it though (You get the day one and the night one - ask for the night one). They might be a bit funny about it (I mean really, if I want to get high, I'll go to the alley behind the dodgy Chinese restaurant downtown.... ) but insist - say you have been sick for weeks now and haven't been sleeping and you're desperate to get some rest while also helping with the pain (otherwise, if they get the idea it is for sleep only, they'll give you some natural flower remedy that does ziltch...) Hope you get some decent shut-eye! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 A Brooklax, Immodium, Ritalin, Red-Bull and Eno cocktail. Oijoijoi!.... Good thing I'm not a pain in the butt then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibella Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 And sorry, the UK isn't any better either. Ok you never really wait long, but once I was 10 minutes late and the dr nearly refused to see me. The next time I waited 20 mins for her and she did not even apologise.You have to be extremely ill before they prescribe antibiotics and other than that I've never received any other type of medication (don't know how the pharmaceutical companies make a living here!). They tell me to go to the pharmacy to get something or to come back in a week's time if I don't feel better - ja right.Also a few weeks ago my daughter was seriously ill so I took her to the dr who was young and kept asking my 3 year old why she was breathing so funny - she doesn't know for goodness sake she is 3!! She said she might just send her home with some antibiotics but maybe I should take her to the hospital to have her checked out. I waited another 20 minutes for her to have a letter typed out. When we got to the hospital they freaked out as my daughter was so ill - she was apparently having an ashtma attack brought on by pneumonia and they wanted to put her in a coma and onto a ventilator!! Luckily the meds they gave her worked quickly and she made an amazing recovery. The hospital was excellent and she actually has good memories of the 3 nights she spent there (with me by her side). But next time I have any doubts I am going straight to A & E.And unfortunately the only South African doctors I know around here are private and not on the NHS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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