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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:
PurpleThistle7 · 23/06/2026 21:34

Is there walk in or urgent appointment. At my GPs it’s 6 weeks for a booked appointment but you can call 100 times at precisely 8am and try for a same day one.

Unfortunately though, there is unlikely to be much more they can do :(

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

mumumental · 23/06/2026 21:09

Yes and apparently a good many GPs can’t get jobs. Our practice is rammed with prescribing nurses for almost every situation. Thanks Streeting.

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.

NOTANUM · 23/06/2026 21:02

mumof5five · 23/06/2026 20:32

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

Hi - can you explain that please? Google isn’t helping me.

oliviaAustin · 23/06/2026 20:58

Yeah everything is broken. DH has been off sick for 6 months. Urgent referral made in February this year because he couldn’t leave the house, watch TV, work, cook… he was in so much pain he wanted to die. The specialist appointment was for August and that was urgent.

We had to go private. He’s still very unwell but doesn’t want to die. The NHS would’ve left him to rot.

PhiladelphiaRose · 23/06/2026 20:56

mumof5five · 23/06/2026 20:32

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

Are they? Where does the contract say this?

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.

Twasasurprise · 23/06/2026 20:47

If under private care, why are prescriptions not being sought/ included? (We have paid for many private prescriptions when using private care over NHS for speed of treatment.)

Arlanymor · 23/06/2026 20:40

Legochristmas · 23/06/2026 20:39

Why not ask private surgeon to prescribe?

Yes, this.

Legochristmas · 23/06/2026 20:39

Why not ask private surgeon to prescribe?

FelicityBennett · 23/06/2026 20:38

Is that the next prebookable appointment? Can you ring to get an on the day one? Or send an e consult in?
if that’s the date you’ve been given after an e consult then if you are England based you could ring 111 and say he’s in a lot of pain , they have some appointments they can book into . It’s actually really difficult to get on top of arthritis pain , if you can’t get any help have a word with the chemist to see if he suitable for anything to be added in

yellowpinksky · 23/06/2026 20:33

Emergency appointment?

mumof5five · 23/06/2026 20:32

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

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