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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Have I been a twat or should the GP surgery have given me an appointment?

267 replies

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:27

For context I am a single parent and I work full time so I may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with stress. I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable.

I have had swelling on my toe after falling. It swelled up really fast and has lessened since but the bruising is still bad. I asked for an appointment for the GP to review and I was told to go to a minor injuries unit as it might need an x ray. Minor injuries is 40 minute drive (we are remote) and will take almost an entire day to be seen. I can’t go in first thing as I need to drop DD at nursery (unless I wanted to take her with me which I don’t!).

I have asked them again for an appointment and asked for it to be escalated as I’m not happy with being told to go to minor injuries. I’m really exhausted and confused as to whether I’m in the right here?! From what I’ve read it’s usual to have a few signs looked at with the toe to decide if an x ray is needed and that this is something a GP could do.

OP posts:
PollyBell · 07/01/2026 08:49

No i dont think demanding a doctors appointment in this situation is what is needed

UniquePinkSwan · 07/01/2026 08:49

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:32

So would a GP not be able to decide if it’s probably ok and no x ray needed?

I don’t know what to do now as I literally can’t take the time to go at the moment

No, GPs only know what medications to give out. Useless at other things

Blushingm · 07/01/2026 08:48

What do you expect the GP to actually do at the appointment?

S/he can’t see whether it’s broken. Even if it was they couldn’t do anything about it

Shittyyear2025 · 07/01/2026 08:46

Get DD to nursery then go? You have a medical reason not to go to work, would they be arsey about you not going in in this case?

Fwiw I live in a city with two major teaching hospitals where a&e waits can be 12h plus. Minor injuries is a much swifter turnaround and the last time I went with DD they x-rayed her suspected broken arm within an hour.

NarwhalBuddy · 07/01/2026 08:44

Just go to minor injuries.

CautiousLurker2 · 07/01/2026 08:41

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:32

So would a GP not be able to decide if it’s probably ok and no x ray needed?

I don’t know what to do now as I literally can’t take the time to go at the moment

Nope, not unless they are Clarke Kent (and have xray vision).

It is more efficient on the NHS to go to see one service - minor injuries - than to go to the GP first, who will have no choice but to send you to the same service, and then go - ie two NHS clinical slots.

MurkyMo · 07/01/2026 08:40

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:34

@SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied what do you tape it with?! Sorry I am clueless about these things I’ve been lucky it’s not happened before. Do you tape it to the other toe presumably? How tightly?!

Show quote history

Can you get to your pharmacy? They will advise.

Danikm151 · 07/01/2026 08:39

I broke my toe a few weeks ago. Called 111 who booked me in at minor injuries.
xray and I was given a special shoe to keep the weight off the toe. Then a follow up with the fracture clinic 2 weeks later.

3 hours in minor injuries including waiting time and 30 mins at the fracture clinic.

TokyoSushi · 07/01/2026 08:39

Just tape it up and carry on, very unlikely you need much medical intervention at all.

Clairey1986 · 07/01/2026 08:39

Sorry op I agree GP won’t help.

Tape your toe like this - not tight, just to give it support. You’ll need padding between the toes like this.

Have I been a twat or should the GP surgery have given me an appointment?
SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied · 07/01/2026 08:37

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renthead · 07/01/2026 08:37

PhyllisTwigg · 07/01/2026 08:35

Is there any treatment for a broken toe if it's not the big toe?

No I don’t think there is any treatment. They will just advise ice, rest, ibuprofen, etc. So there isn’t really any point in seeking care to confirm this.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:37

Pillypolly · 07/01/2026 08:36

I wouldn’t seek medical attention for a bruised toe.

@Pillypolly i was worried as it was very swollen

OP posts:
Pillypolly · 07/01/2026 08:36

I wouldn’t seek medical attention for a bruised toe.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:36

AphroditesSeashell · 07/01/2026 08:35

I wouldn't expect do anything for a hurt toe. With a simple broken toe, the minor injuries will likely just strap it to the next one and advise you to take paracetamol. Only if it's a terrible break or a dislocation would they be likely escalate to any other action.

If you aren't even sure it's broken, it's probably not broken - or certainly not to an extent that they would do much for you. So yes, YABU.

@AphroditesSeashell ok thank you

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2026 08:35

Cross post. You use medical tape you have in your first aid box.

Miranda65 · 07/01/2026 08:35

Just leave it.... already sounds like it's getting better. Seems that you don't need either a GP or minor injuries, tbh.

AphroditesSeashell · 07/01/2026 08:35

I wouldn't expect do anything for a hurt toe. With a simple broken toe, the minor injuries will likely just strap it to the next one and advise you to take paracetamol. Only if it's a terrible break or a dislocation would they be likely escalate to any other action.

If you aren't even sure it's broken, it's probably not broken - or certainly not to an extent that they would do much for you. So yes, YABU.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:35

Anjin · 07/01/2026 08:34

Which toe is it? They won’t do anything unless it’s the big toe. If it’s the big toe, a GP would take a look but still say go to minor injuries for an X-ray. There’s not much the GP can do. If any other toes it’s a case of maybe strapping to the neighbour toe and wearing hard soled shoes (to discourage toe bending). If walking is painful you could use a stick (like a hiking one).

@Anjin big toe

OP posts:
renthead · 07/01/2026 08:35

I meant I wouldn’t bother with the GP or minor injuries. If it’s improving, just monitor it.

PhyllisTwigg · 07/01/2026 08:35

Is there any treatment for a broken toe if it's not the big toe?

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:35

renthead · 07/01/2026 08:34

If it’s improving then I wouldn’t bother with the GP if minor injuries. What’s the point?

@renthead it is still painful but not any worse than before and no more swelling

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2026 08:34

Strap it To the next toe.

Anjin · 07/01/2026 08:34

Which toe is it? They won’t do anything unless it’s the big toe. If it’s the big toe, a GP would take a look but still say go to minor injuries for an X-ray. There’s not much the GP can do. If any other toes it’s a case of maybe strapping to the neighbour toe and wearing hard soled shoes (to discourage toe bending). If walking is painful you could use a stick (like a hiking one).

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:34

SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied · 07/01/2026 08:33

What do you think a GP could do about a bruised toe? If it is broken (and only an x-ray would confirm it, and that would mean hours of sitting in A&E), the usual "treatment" is to tape it to the next toe. You could do that yourself.

@SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied what do you tape it with?! Sorry I am clueless about these things I’ve been lucky it’s not happened before. Do you tape it to the other toe presumably? How tightly?!

OP posts: