Doctors don't understand how difficult it is for me to see them.

Our system has a three week wait but some locations offer Satursdays.
I don't know if I'd be surprised anymore about any aspect of the health service and its variants.

Blood test queue is three weeks for the drawing of blood but then the results are back within an hour or three. That's phenomal!

I hear you OP! And all those ‘make time’ ‘with the greatest respect’ etc comments are not helpful and make me very tearful reading them . Some of us work jobs that really do make it impossible to get those Drs appointments. As unbelievable as it sounds to many it really does bloody happen in the real world.

Stop being a martyr OP. Nothing is so important at work that it can't wait an hour while you go to the doctors.

How big is the school?

We had 7 safeguarding people at the school l taught at.

Also, use your governors (particularly your safeguarding lead).
Assuming it’s an hour or so out of school you need, there’s really no excuse for you not to be covered.

I think it's you who doesn't get it. It doesn't matter how difficult it is, the only solution here is the OP going to her appointment. If she carries on telling herself it's impossible she'll end up off long-term.

Your title says doctors don't understand how difficult it is for you to see them. But I can't see what you think doctors should do? Hang around waiting until you've suddenly got a few spare minutes, then drop everything else to fit in with you?

When you die, your job will be filled in hours.

Issue here is your priorities.

Look after yourself.

I’m sorry things are so difficult right now but it’s your responsibility to prioritise your own healthcare. You have to speak up and work and take the time you need. Everyone else seems to be off. Surely they can give you an hour to speak to a Dr. Lots of things like blood tests can be booked online and out of regular hours where I live. Try researching that.

You need to raise the issue with the senior team. Someone should be arranging appropriate cover whilst the others are off. Whilst you keep doing it though nothings going to change.

Have you spoken to the chair of governors about all of this? It sounds like there needs to be a better short term plan - if you get sick that will have a huge impact on the school so they need to think about options. This could be DSL cover from another school, training up someone else so you have more than two people trained ( our 2 form entry school has a dsl and 4 desks).

I know our Dr only generally has nursing appointments during the day which is very frustrating, but they do have some early morning appointments each week for those who are working. Ask if this is possible - booking early morning means you are not off site when children are in, and less likely for an incident to derail you actually getting there. Alternatively ask if you can use your local hospital drop in blood service - they often have much longer hours or weekends sessions.

I do understand how difficult is to just walk off during any incident when staffing is precarious. You need to talk with chair / LA advisor about back up plans. It is sadly common in schools - I remember our head sustaining a head injury and still coming to work because the stress of trying to arrange cover was greater than the stress of just coming to work anyway!

You are not indispensable. God forbid you should drop dead, OP, but the school would function perfectly well without you.

Working 7-7 with no break is not normal and everyone is entitled to attend medical appointments. Am a former school governor. In these circumstances we would expect the OP to notify the governors of staffing levels whilst she is at a medical appointment.

In my area you can get blood tests at the hospital rather than go. It’s open 7am to 6pm and you just turn up (obviously sometimes are busier than others) if your area offers something like that it gives you more flexibility. You can take your laptop and do admin if needed.

It's very clear on here that most people don't understand how a small school runs and how finely balanced it is, plus the legal requirements for having a DSL on site at all times. I don't disagree that it's not the GP at fault and I think the LA perhaps needs to be proactive in getting more staff appropriately trained but posters blithely saying "just go" and "make time" dont really get it.

This was me in a highly stressful job.

I got dropped from the specialist's list as I couldn't make the appointments, so I then wasn't being monitored for the condition.

Eventually burnt out, left the job, it was horrible. Back on my feet now and taking much more care of my health.

None of this sounds like it’s your doctor’s fault though? She’s not the one cancelling your appointments. You’re just going to have to find the time. What about during the upcoming school holidays?

Eventually you will work yourself in to the ground and have to go off sick.
You say that you are not prioritising the job but you are.
You need to sort out the appointment and go.
If you talk to the GP surgery they may be able to put you in first thing in the morning.
As in the nurse will come in at 0800 to take your blood. I have had to do this with blood tests and blood pressure monitoring.

Are your blood tests bookable online? Find one for after the end of the school day so at least that is done. Try a private online GP to see if they will prescribe you medication in the short term then book review appointment for the Christmas holidays.

Change surgeries.

We have drive through blood tests open until 6:30 in our city.

I guess so. But the guilt - the school may not be able to open. It's easy to say, hard to do.

Does your surgery have extended hours on any days, mine you can book for routine med review type things if you are working in specific slots. The nurse is separate and easy to book, she’s there until 6pm

Then you have to do this!

That said, I think you do have to prioritise yourself, and if the other dsl's are off sick, or regularly going off sick, you will have to go to governers. I get it. But you need medication.