GP surgery giving 111 as their out of hours number

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

Is this the norm now?

My elderly Mum has hurt her ankle and is in a lot of pain and having difficulty getting around her house (but is not in urgent need as she can get to the loo and kitchen) but how is she going to get medical attention?

Yes this is normal

Call 111 i guess

It's the norm round here (NW). Currently on hold trying to get through to 111 myself for DS. 12 minutes so far and all we need is a prescription.

Yes, 111 is for non-urgent medical treatment when your GP surgery is closed.

GPs and hcps on call (ie those not hospital based but on call when the surgery is closed) - how do they get allocated jobs? Not from 111 surely? or maybe I'm wrong.

Yes, some GP’s work for out of hours, which is booked through 111.

Yes 111 will direct you through to OOHs GP.

Ok, thanks all. We will persist with 111 then.

Yep, you are wrong 111 will either arrange a call back by an hcp or an appointment with ooh dr. They may advise hospital, although i suspect they will advise rest and pain relief.

Yep. Same at our surgery. Until a couple of years ago there was a collective of local surgeries who staffed OOH between them with a dedicated number. The service was so much better.

Yes, out of hours for GPs is contacted via 111 - they will advise GP and you will them be phoned back by the GP/nurse or if they think needs a different pathway will advise on that.

Yep done through 111 now. Has been for a few years in my area. They refer you to your local OOH team who then call you back (time frame depending on what’s wrong)

yes it's 111. But last time I rang I was on hold for over an hour then it was going to be a 2 hour wait for an ambulance.

Is there a walk in center near you?

Yes, very normal and has been for years. I've always found 111 to be very efficient and good at triaging. And actually much easier to reach than the GP anyway.

If you call 111 in need of medical attention that doesn’t warrant calling 999 they’ll take all your info and pass it onto an on call medical professional in your area who will ring you back. My symptoms got worse after I first called 111 so I rang them back and they ended up sending an ambulance, but the doctor called me while the paramedics were there (they spoke to her, I was in too much pain) Can only have been about 45 mins after my first call, but I imagine how long it takes will depend on the symptoms. The doc will be able to prescribe something for the pain, but it sounds like your mum may need to go to minor injuries, which they should be able to arrange as well.

It's been the norm for as long as 111 has been in existence. Years.

Yes, 111 service arranges an appointment locally for you if you need one. It works a treat.

My surgery and the one I was at a good few years ago at my old address both used 111.

The gps I was familiar with were on duty on a rota at the local walk in centre as I saw them both a couple of times over the years for minor injuries.

I think it’s a good idea to phone first as if treatment is required they can tell you where to go and allocate a time in some instances in order to prevent queuing up inside buildings for hours during these covid times. Safer for the patient and indeed for everyone.

Hope she’s ok.

GPs and hcps on call (ie those not hospital based but on call when the surgery is closed) - how do they get allocated jobs?
A person who is not medically trained triage the problem. They then tell you whether your symptoms require urgent medical treatment through A&E or GP. They tell you if the symptoms can wait until the GP is next open and what to do whilst you're waiting.
If you need an urgent GP, they forward the details to out of hours who ring you and book you an appointment with a doctor, nurse etc or make a referral to another service (ie, district nursing).

@kimlo - she wouldn't go to a walk in centre as she can't get there without a taxi there and back.

You simply can’t get any response from my GP. I tried for two days. In the end I had to pay to see one privately.

@AnnaMagnani - we're obviously lucky not to have needed medical attention OOH for years in that case.

It hasn't been the norm for years at all - different areas of the UK have different arrangements for OOH. In Wales they've been slowly rolling out 111 as their ooh service over the last few years. 3/4 of Wales now need to ring 111 for ooh but other areas will still have a different number.

I hope your mum is ok OP.