An NHS Doctor has urged people to remember eight things before their next appointment. Taking to social media, she admitted: "It can sometimes be overwhelming or daunting going to a GP appointment."

Because of this, Dr Mollie Harmer-Leicester shared a few simple ways to help you make the most of your GP visit. The NHS Resident Doctor first urged people to bring someone with them.

In her caption, she explained: "A friend or family member can help listen, remember information, and offer support if you feel overwhelmed."

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In addition, she suggests a few other things people do. This includes:

• Keep a symptom diary to track when issues happen, how severe they are, and any triggers, helping your doctor understand patterns.




• Write down your questions before the appointment so you don’t forget what’s important.




• Let the practice know in advance about any language barriers so they can arrange an interpreter.




• Take notes during your appointment to help you remember advice, instructions, and next steps.




• Ask questions if anything isn’t clear so you can better understand your condition and treatment options. She stresses: "Medical language can be confusing, so it’s completely okay to ask your Doctor to explain things in simpler terms; they won’t be offended by this."




• At the end, ask about the next steps so you know what to expect and avoid uncertainty.

Concluding her advice, she wrote: "At the end of the day, your GP or healthcare professional genuinely wants to do their best to help you.

"However, GP appointments are often only 10 minutes and can be very pressured. If you arrive prepared, you’re much more likely to get the most out of the consultation and feel empowered to take ownership of your own health."

The health service also has a checklist of questions to ask at your appointment.

Tests, such as blood tests or scans

• What are the tests for?


• How and when will I get the results?


• Who do I contact if I do not get the results?

Treatment

• Are there other ways to treat my condition?


• What do you recommend?


• Are there any side effects or risks? If so, what are they?


• How long will I need treatment for?


• How will I know if the treatment is working?


• How effective is this treatment?


• What will happen if I do not have any treatment?


• Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing?


• Is there anything I can do to help myself?

Surgery

• What are the different treatment options for my condition?


• What are the benefits, side effects and risks of each of these treatments?


• Why are you recommending I have this operation?


• Are non-surgical treatments possible for my condition?


• What happens if nothing is done about my condition?


• Who will perform the operation?


• What qualifications and experience do they have?


• What exactly does the operation involve, and how long will it take?


• What type of anaesthetic will I need?


• How long is the waiting list for this operation?


• How will I know if the operation is a success?


• Will I need stitches, and will there be scarring?


• How long before the operation will I need to stop eating and drinking?


• How long will I need to stay in the hospital?


• How long will it take me to recover and get back to normal?


• Will I need time off work and, if so, for how long?

What next?

• What happens next?


• Do I need to come back and see you? If so, when?


• Who do I contact if things get worse?


• Do you have any written information?


• Where can I go for more information?


• Is there a support group or any other source of help?

According to the NHS, if you’re having trouble booking an appointment, you should reach out to your GP surgery directly. Information about the complaints procedure and the surgery’s management team is usually available on their website.

It adds: "If you're not comfortable raising a complaint directly or do not feel you've had a satisfactory response, you can complain to the NHS."