Gp appointments

Is it a UTI? Pharmacists can prescribe that easily.

That sounds really rough and very upsetting and frustrating.

I would definitely discuss with the receptionist and with GP if/when you see them, how you can be seen and prescribed what you need quickly in these situations, given they are recurring.

For today if you can’t get in to see GP then contact 111 “after hours” and hopefully they’ll get you an OOH call or appointment.

At our surgery you would fill in an E - consult form online stating your case. You may then get a same day appointment with a practice nurse or an AHP. The AHP may be able to prescribe, the practice nurse would probably grab the duty GP to pop in and have a quick look/chat and get them to do the prescription.

What doctor? Notes should be on the system to get you seen.

I did an econsult, GP called me and got me seen 9am the next day last week.

Because we are very short of GPs. One of the reasons is that quite a few have left to go to Australia, where they are better paid.

If this is a medication you have on repeat prescription that you have run out of, you can request a emergency supply to tide you over via NHS 111 here: https://111.nhs.uk/emergency-prescription

if it’s not on repeat, then it depends what system your GP surgery has for requesting an urgent appointment. My surgery has an online form and you are supposed to be triaged for urgent requests to be seen same day. Ask reception when you get there what the system is with your GP.

if that fails then I would try 111 again this evening. I had to do this once with a new medication that hadn’t been put in repeat yet. The GP surgery had put me on the “non urgent” list which meant waiting weeks so the meds ran out before I’d even got an appointment booked. Despite sending follow up requests I couldn’t get any reply. Eventually I contacted 111 and they got me an out of hours GP appointment , who prescribed it.

I’m in Australia and I don’t understand why the UK has this system that barely works.

If I want to see my GP I make an appointment online - I can choose the appointment time myself. If there are no appointments I see one of my GP’s colleagues or (if it’s last minute on a Saturday) I have a backup Drs surgery that takes last minute walk-ins and is close to my house.

I pay out of pocket to see a GP and the GP also charges the federal government. Some places bill the entire amount to the government.

The NHS needs to be completely overhauled.

It doesn’t always work like that. I have GP access via Axa PPP but they do not prescribe antibiotics for many things because they need to see the patient F2F. A private GP through a local private hospital could but there is a week long, often longer, wait to see them because they are fully booked. Two of the GP’s from a local large practice see patients privately at the local private hospital.

The GP should have an on call dr. That doesn't mean you'd get on their list though. Is it something that a nurse practitioner could prescribe or a pharmacist? Otherwise here you'd have to go to the walk in centre for a consult and sit and wait (it shares waiting time with the ED). or could it wait until tomorrows appts are released in the am?

Exactly this. If the private GP is so sure that the medication is what you need and urgently too, then they should prescribe it for you. Otherwise what are you paying for their service for?

@Newstartplease24 good luck. Keep calm and stand firm.

Again, this may not be the correct advice.

The walk-in centre won't be able to help if this is a new prescription for a long-term condition which GPs manage, or for an illness that practitioners don't manage

I second going to the practice and explaining F2F. Ask to speak to the practice manager and explain what you have been advised. Ask them to note they have refused GP access despite that advice having been given by another clinician.

it’s a shit show.

@MaurineWayBack It's not out of hours - it's in hours until 18.30

It is unusual for GPs to book OOH, but possible - but either way OP would still need to contact their own GP and wait for response

@Newstartplease24 , you are not qualified and might harm yourself. Go to the walk in centre or call 111.

Whoever the Dr was that told you to be seen and get meds should have sorted this either directly with the GP if it needs to come from them or have sorted themselves. It shouldn’t be on you to play GP lotto, but also it’s not down to the GP to sort meds for another Drs consult.

My GP actually set an appointment with OHH fir me when they couldn’t fit me in and they agree I really to see someone (I needed a review first BP meds as I couldn’t take the ones prescribed due to side effects).
I don’t think they like doing though that because it highlights they dint see people in a time it manner….

Try again.
111 was the advice I was given too in a similar case.
You need to tell them that 1- you’ve seen a private GP who says you need the meds today and 2- you’ve tried your GP and there are no appointment s available.
You’re not asking for urgent care (even though depending on the meds, it migut well be!). You’re asking for out of hours.

@TwoTuesday Terrible advice - go to the Emergency Department!!!!

Why do you think it's an emergency.

Sometimes people just have to wait.

i just put in an admin request or at least a prescription request

@Serencwtch That's not how the 111 prescription usually works although there can be some variation among the different call centres.

You can request an emergency prescription out of hours from a pharmacist, if there is already an ongoing repeat prescription set up by the GP.

In hours, you contact your GP.

If it's a new request for medication, contact your GP.

@YSianiFlewog OOH is usually only available through 111 and does not begin until GPs officially close at 18.30