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AIBU?

I know I am but arrghgghhhhh.... GP

77 replies

monkeymamma · 03/10/2016 11:37

I just want to make an appointment for my 4 year old to see the GP (or nurse practitioner) because there's something I'm worried about, and it's driving me nuts.

Called this morning at 8am and they were engaged. Tried again and again until it was time to take DS to school and had to run all the way there.

Called now and was told they have nothing bookable for at least three weeks. They said call 8am for same day appointment (can't get through) or come to walk in (don't want to, because they will tell me it's not acute/urgent and I need to make an appointment to see the GP). (Actually what they will say is 'he seems fine' (head isn't falling off, no temp etc), 'but come back again if you're worried'. Well yes I am already worried, that's why I'm here for fuck's sake).

I've made the appointment for 3 weeks' time, but I know I'll be worrying myself silly until then. So fucking cross that a FOUR YEAR OLD can't get seen by his/a doctor when he needs to be.

Need to pull up my big girl pants now and get on with it, but really I just want to cry.

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DetailedConfusion · 03/10/2016 11:39

Just keep trying for a same day appointment in the meantime. What's wrong with dc?

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ReedBunting · 03/10/2016 11:41

Monday mornings often a bad time to call docs for an appointment as people have had a weekend to decide to do the same. Hopefully you'll get better luck calling in the morning later in the week.

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YouAreMyRain · 03/10/2016 11:42

I would write tomorrow off as far as school is concerned, ring Dr at 8am, keep ringing until you get an appointment (could take hours), go to the appointment then take child to school if there's still time.

Same day appointments are supposed to be urgent, they will assume that if you can go to school today, you can wait a bit

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monkeymamma · 03/10/2016 11:44

Detailed, While I was on the phone this morning my youngest had literally destroyed the lounge. I've been clearing it up ever since. And we had to run to get to school on time. If I do that every morning I'll end up insane.

DS has a small, scabbed lump on his scalp. It sounds like nothing but it's been there ages and I don't know what it is. Every time I ruffle his hair I notice it and feel really scared. His scalp is fine otherwise (other than a big, colourless mole) and his health is fine generally. Just tired like more reception intake kids right now.

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monkeymamma · 03/10/2016 11:45

Reed I wish that was the case. It's like that every time. I've never managed a same day appointment, always go to walk in and get fobbed off.

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monkeymamma · 03/10/2016 11:46

Rain by the time I get through the appointments I presume will be all gone. I don't feel like I can just not show up for school when he's only just started. It's not 'urgent' because he's well in himself, but I am shitting myself about this and while I don't need him seen 'same day' three weeks is a long time to wait.

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slightlypeevedwombat · 03/10/2016 11:48

have you tried to change surgeries? is there another one in your area?

i hate the 'phone up for an apt today first thing' type ones

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ItsJustNotRight · 03/10/2016 11:49

Can you see a practice nurse or a pharmacist in the meantime? It may help allay your fears while you wait for your appointment with GP.

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NowThatsClosureJen · 03/10/2016 11:49

Just go in...

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ItsJustNotRight · 03/10/2016 11:52

If you can see a nurse at the surgery and they have any concerns about it it will short cut you to GP. , well that's how it works with mine I hope yours is the same.

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Bearcats · 03/10/2016 11:54

This sounds like a really silly suggestion OP, but my aunt had something similar. Turned out she'd somehow scraped her scalp with her hairbrush (causing the initial bump/scab, like the bump at the end of the bristle had come off and scratched her head) and then as it was now there continually caught it causing it to not go. It wasn't painful but she was worried and went to the doctors and that's what they figured it out to be. Once she knew she was careful of it and it cleared up and went! Sounds like a silly story but thought I'd say it and hopefully ease some of your worry!

I hope your little one is okay and you manage to get an appointment :)

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DetailedConfusion · 03/10/2016 11:54

Try not to freak out. It's a bumpy scab...kids get bumpy scabs all the time.

Whack your youngest in the highchair/pram etc and try again for another couple of mornings.

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PizzaPlease · 03/10/2016 11:56

Does yours have Internet appointment booking? If so, you would be able to do it that way and avoid the phone? You might have to register within the doctors first.

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user1475440127 · 03/10/2016 11:57

I would ask for a cancellation. Surgeries are much busier than before.

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FriedPisces · 03/10/2016 12:05

Aaargh I feel your pain! It is hard as each surgery has different policies. If something is making me worry I phone and ask for a cancellation and once I've tried twice they recognise my voice and are more understanding because of my persistence. Agree with the poster(s) who suggested the nurse and/or pharmacist as reassurance seems to be quite key here. I've also worked out when the helpful receptionist works as she is much nicer and more reasonable! (I'm sure your DC's scalp is fine, sometimes the body unnecassrily overcompensates and makes more scar tissue than it needs and it'll feel bumpy for a while. I'm not a medic but I am anxious enough about health stuff to know random stuff like that!)

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mypropertea · 03/10/2016 12:08

You need a blue tooth hands free. That way you can do everything as normal when on hold. Seriously, saves me sanity!

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BonusNewt · 03/10/2016 12:12

Could you try seeing the school nurse? They might be able to put your worries at rest or if not you can then go to the GP and say "the school nurse said I need to get an appointment"?

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Idliketobeabutterfly · 03/10/2016 12:15

Is it a boil or a spot/ wart? My five year old had to have one wart removed off his head a few years ago.

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iseenodust · 03/10/2016 12:16

Get to the surgery for 8am and book the appointment in person then go on to school run. A bit of a pain but will get you sorted.

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pollyblack · 03/10/2016 12:18

It's a pain when you can't easily get an appointment but if you really want to see the GP you will either try tomorrow for a same day or attend the drop in clinic, they won't turn a small child away if you are truly worried.

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MrEBear · 03/10/2016 12:19

I would speak to the pharmacist. I they think it needs urgent treatment I'd then chase the GP for an urgent appointment.

If the pharmacists suggests something give it a go while you wait for the GP appointment. It really doesn't sound like something that needs to be seen urgently esp If it's not causing her pain or spreading.

One thing to watch for is it could be the start of chicken pox.

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BillSykesDog · 03/10/2016 12:21

My surgery does the call at 8am thing. I struggle to do it with the school run too, because you have to try over and over again to get through. So DH has started calling instead from his work. Do you have a partner who could call for you? Parent? It is annoying because it's the worst time for parents.

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FRETGNIKCUF · 03/10/2016 12:21

OP my son has this, he's had one since birth (ten hairs came through one follicle and as it stuck out it would rub and scan) AND one from where he fell and hit his head five years ago!! He scratches in his sleep we think. We eventually got referred to a consultant but we moved house and dropped off the list.

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Snowflakes1122 · 03/10/2016 12:28

Same here. You call at opening time and constantly engaged. You get through and no appointments!

I'd ring and ask for a doctor to call you back. They do telephone appointments here. If the doctor is then concerned he should fit you in.

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BarbarianMum · 03/10/2016 12:35

I can see that you are worried but honestly, it's fine to wait 3 weeks to see someone about this. Just accept their earliest appointment.

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