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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this GP appointment date is outrageous

39 replies

Imdunfer · 23/06/2026 20:31

DH is waiting for a hip replacement. He's in serious pain, walking with crutches and we are paying to get it done in early August. He's prescribed max strength cocodamol and it's not enough. He's been told he has to book a GP appointment to be prescribed anything stronger.

And the earliest date available is August 10th.

OP posts:
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EvieBB · 27/06/2026 16:17

AnnaMagnani · 26/06/2026 12:53

It's bone scraping on bone.

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ouch. (I just mean until the op) x

AnnaMagnani · 26/06/2026 12:53

EvieBB · 25/06/2026 23:20

oramorph?

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It's bone scraping on bone.

Pistachiocake · 25/06/2026 23:30

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 23/06/2026 22:02

I agree with pp that there is very little that can be done for the pain. My mum was left to suffer for years because the surgeon didnt believe she was old enough to really need it. She was 51 when he finally did it, only to say "ohhh Mrs Susan, you really dod need that doing didn't you". It was a very good job she was high on meds or I think she'd have lynched him.

The GP can also only prescribe certain pain meds. What is needed is an urgent referral to the local pain clinic, as they can prescribe much stronger options. Their waiting list is likely to go way beyond his operation date but might be worth a punt, especially if you have the option to go private.

Didn't her scans and tests show that? Poor woman.
OP, as others say try 111. Our GPs hardly have any appointments these days.

EvieBB · 25/06/2026 23:21

SabrinaThwaite · 23/06/2026 22:56

It’s been massively underfunded since 2008. What did you expect?

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A lot gets wasted though. Too many managers and not enough doctors and nurses :(

EvieBB · 25/06/2026 23:20

AnnaMagnani · 23/06/2026 20:50

Unfortunately nothing except the hip replacement is going to work for pain control here. Even if you had the GP appointment tomorrow, they aren't going to be able to offer anything amazing for the pain.

oramorph?

Goldengirl123 · 24/06/2026 07:53

mumof5five · 23/06/2026 20:32

They are contracted to offer you an appointment within 2 weeks. Complain to the practice manager.

That’s not true!

Original poster
Imdunfer · 24/06/2026 07:47

Thanks for the support. We'll get on top of it today, I just needed a rant yesterday.

I'm off this morning for a DEXA scan that the NHS won't pay for either.

If love to know who the 21 people are so far who think I'm being unreasonable in thinking being offered an appointment 7 weeks away are!

OP posts:
Laurmolonlabe · 23/06/2026 23:23

Go to A&E tell them he cannot wait- they will tell your GP off far more effectively than you can.

SabrinaThwaite · 23/06/2026 22:56

darksideofthetoon · 23/06/2026 22:07

And yet we keep getting told the NHS is the best health service in the world. Aye right.

It’s been massively underfunded since 2008. What did you expect?

Davros · 23/06/2026 22:37

I find E-consults work like magic. Either get a call from a Dr, message, appointment or prescription sent to pharmacy

Wonkywalker · 23/06/2026 22:25

Lots of people have said the GP won't prescribe anything stronger than he is on but my doctor has put me on weekly pain patches and said I can take prescribed codeine on top - though the bad news is that I have to wait 8 weeks to see a doctor.

It is worth asking about pain patches as my GP said they give a constant pain relief - though I still can't get out of bed in the mornings without a long wait.

Trallala · 23/06/2026 22:24

I had morphine in the last few months before my hip replacement, it was the only way I could get a decent night's sleep - naproxen and codeine weren't touching the pain. Can you do an econsult or ask for an emergency appointment?

Lemonsqueezer12 · 23/06/2026 22:18

Thats shocking. Our local Doctors gone online you fill in a little form and then they either call you or it is minor or an existing thing just deal with it remotely. It works really well.

HoppityBun · 23/06/2026 22:17

We book online and there’s a clear distinction between urgent and non urgent requests. Though each time I’ve said it’s not urgent I’ve been given an appointment the same day.

This sounds really urgent and you should contact them tomorrow and make that clear, or attend in person and explain

youalright · 23/06/2026 22:13

He needs an emergency appointment and he needs to specifically say emergency appointment he's been given the next routine appointment

MsGreying · 23/06/2026 22:12

darksideofthetoon · 23/06/2026 22:07

And yet we keep getting told the NHS is the best health service in the world. Aye right.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/23/stop-training-medical-students-demand-doctors/

The BMA knows that it's doing.

Happyjoe · 23/06/2026 22:10

Can you not phone in the morning and do the morning scramble? Prebookable apts at mine are about a month or so in advance but there's always apts available if get through in the morning. Good luck OP.

darksideofthetoon · 23/06/2026 22:07

And yet we keep getting told the NHS is the best health service in the world. Aye right.

MoshpitAtMorrisons · 23/06/2026 22:03

Is he allowed to take NSAID’s? If so Naproxen or Celecoxib are great and would work well combined with cocodamol. I’m assuming he’s on 30/500mg? I’d be tempted to hit up his private surgeon or the secretary and say you’re getting no support from GP and he’s seriously suffering.

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 23/06/2026 22:02

I agree with pp that there is very little that can be done for the pain. My mum was left to suffer for years because the surgeon didnt believe she was old enough to really need it. She was 51 when he finally did it, only to say "ohhh Mrs Susan, you really dod need that doing didn't you". It was a very good job she was high on meds or I think she'd have lynched him.

The GP can also only prescribe certain pain meds. What is needed is an urgent referral to the local pain clinic, as they can prescribe much stronger options. Their waiting list is likely to go way beyond his operation date but might be worth a punt, especially if you have the option to go private.

bengalcat · 23/06/2026 21:55

Ring 111 - they may be able to prescribe for you via a telephone consultation with one of their GPs or get him an earlier appointment with his own GP or practice pharmacist if there is one .

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 23/06/2026 21:50

Hippiedippi · 23/06/2026 21:11

I doubt very much that the GP will prescribe anything stronger than codine. Normally need a referral to the pain management team for anything stronger

Pure codeine and cocodamol are not the same thing. You can get codeine in a higher strength which a GP can prescribe.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 23/06/2026 21:48

Legochristmas · 23/06/2026 20:39

Why not ask private surgeon to prescribe?

His pain relief situation is complicated by other health conditions, it's a whole body management issue for the GP.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imdunfer · 23/06/2026 21:46

Sweetbeansandmochi · 23/06/2026 21:06

Early August still seems far away. I would call and ask them to put you on a waiting list for any cancellations.

My surgeon was getting through six hips per day on his surgery days and so it might be able to be done sooner, if you ask.

There are complications doing hip replacements with a pacemaker, there has to be a cardiologist present. That's the earliest date everything can be coordinated, its already been moved to its third hospital.

OP posts:
Namechange1086 · 23/06/2026 21:38

Hi I was in a similar position waiting for a hip replacement with bone on bone. The pharmacist advised me to take paracetamol and ibuprofen together. It was way more effective than the codeine/co codamol tablets I had run out of. I was amazed. Please check first with your pharmacist in the event your husband is on other medication/has health issues. Good luck

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