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

I do something similar almost every year - terrible bruising and a line suggesting a slight break - but as it’s only painful if I move it I tend to just tape it to the toe next door (some times don’t even have to do that) and it heals by itself.

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

No. He can't. It also depends which toe it is. If it's your little toe they prob won't do anything anyway. Your big toe might need some strapping. But the doctor can't know that without an x ray.

Do you want him to xray it with his eyes?
its a total waste of an appointment.

Pharmacy?

or call 111 and then get a video call back with a gp if they think necessary - surely if it just needs to be looked at to determine if you need an X-ray or not this is enough ??

not really needing a gp in person appointment I don’t think

You do need an X-ray but GPs are awful in my opinion

dad was tested for diabetes twice over two years. Both times he heard nothing so assumed it was all okay.

then recently he got a letter asking for him to go to a diabetic eye test. What? Turns out GP FORGOT TO TELL HIM! His eyes are now permanently damaged, my mother is fuming as they’ve deteriorated in those two years - since the two forgotten test results.

so, formal complaints, GP very sorry etc. so, after my dad’s recent blood test, he tried ringing ten times. He’d hold and then it wouldn’t go through. He’s at work so my mum rings. I listened to the convo on loud speaker. Issue with portal so he can’t retrieve them via that.

mum: hello, I’m X, Y’s wife. Could you please ring him and let him know his recent results?
receptionist: no.
mum: what do you mean?
r: we let him know if there’s something wrong
m: I’m sorry but we’ve had two bad results go astray. He’s worried about his health. Could someone just give him a quick call so he knows his exact results. GP knows about our previous complaint and promised all results will now be talked over.
r: I can’t discuss it with you
m: I’m not asking you to. Can you please ring him?
r: no, I can’t discuss this matter with you
m: I’m not asking you to, could you please just get his GP to arrange a time to call him? Phone him now? Literally anything?

ans the receptionist hung up on her! how unreasonable? My mother was so polite and patient.

I I once injured my toe,it turned black,happened to be at the hospital for another reason,the doctor sent me over to A&E,but they said they do not x-ray the toe unless it is visibly out of shape. Even then,they only bind it up to keep it straight,if not deformed they leave it to heal,as you would with any bruise.Fingers,of course,are different. If the joint is deformed as well as bruised,your GP was right,far better to go to Minor Injuries,where they have X ray facility if necessary.Hope it is feeling better,I remember how painful mine was!

I am not sure that anyone can do anything for a broken toe.
The doctor is right that you need to go to minor injuries.
I have been A and E for hours waiting to be seen and there was nothing they could do apart from ice and elevate.

It’s either bad enough to make the effort to go to minor injuries or it doesn’t need treatment

YANBU I work in a minor injuries unit and unless there is a deformity (displaced fracture or dislocated) we shouldn’t/wouldn’t xr it because it’s giving someone radiation they don’t need. Treatment is the same. This applies to toes 2-5. Even if we suspect an uncomplicated fracture we would strap it to the next toe for comfort and suggest it could take 6 weeks to heal. Different story if it’s the big toe.

Well if you won't go to A&E. Then you have two choices. Carry on . Or go to hospital. It won't take all day either. Also can you ask your mum or friend to pick up your child from nursery if your held up at the hospital.

If you ring 111 they will triage you and can fastrack you at A&E for Xrays. I had an issue a few months back and was in and out of A&E, with XRays taken, looked at and seen by doctor within an hour as 111 had booked me a timeslot. Average waiting time said 5 hours in the waiting room. Maybe try this route?

Unless you think your GP has x-ray vision then seeing them is a waste of time. Minor injuries is the place to go, irrespective of how inconvenient that may be for you.

They’ll more than likely want to send you for a precautionary x-ray.

If you can’t find the time to go it can’t be that bad. Just strap it to the next toe.

You're wasting your time and the GPs time going to the GP appointment to be inevitably sent to the minor injuries

Our minor injuries is absolutely brilliant. They'll triage you, send you for an xray , tell you ( and show you) you the results, do whatever is appropriate and send you away. Your GP can't do any of that.

If you are worried about it you can call 111 and I believe you can make an appointment at the MIU, that is certainly what happens in my area. It’s not like A&E where you will be there for hours.

No! You are not being a twat … but you’re making an issue out of something which is deflecting from the most important thing (person) in this situation .. I.e. YOU! You’ve had a fall. You’ve injured yourself. So….. Normal Service is interrupted. Whether that is nursery, job, shopping, other appointments, love-life or whatever. Get yourself to minor injuries clinic, take DD with you if necessary. DD needs a Mum who’s on her toes, so stop dithering and get yourself treated. Best wishes for full recovery.

They can’t X-ray at the GP so go to minor injuries and they will see you all in one go.

I can imagine my GPs response to this...

"Do you think I have sodding x-ray vision, now bugger off.".

Ring 111 and explain the situation and see i they can help with an appointment.

She clearly hasn't got a bad break if she's getting around ok, I'd imagine she'd be in agony and unable to walk of the bone was broken out of position.

Go at the weekend and get there 10 mins before it opens. The minor injuries mear me stopped allowing anyone else in after 11am because they were so busy.

They constantly pass people over to hospital in situations like these.
I honestly don't know what GPs do all day.

I ignored a possible broken toe about 18 years ago and regret it regularly now!

Your feet are important. If its broken and doesnt mend correctly then that could give you ongoing ptoblems (experience talking here).