How many times did you use the NHS last year?

[bumchic]

Me - none
DH - 4 GP appointments for acne
DS1 - one overnight hospital for an operation after shoving a button up his nose, flu vaccine through school
DS2 - flu vaccine
DD - flu vaccine, one consultant appointment for a congenital condition that we have annually

Plus 2 x dentist for all

I think this is quite low. No point to this - there have been years it’s been way higher

One of my children has a life threatening condition. I think I was in the NHS over 30 times last year.

Yes, very grateful for it’s existence

I have a repeat prescription every 3 months, one review appointment. DC once chest infection.

2025: loads.
Recurring UTIs in Jan followed by a reaction to one of the antibiotics resulting in several GP appointments over a couple of weeks, more blood tests and 2 more lots of antibiotics to finally get rid of the UTI.

Routine mammogram in February.

Appointment re HRT in May, and follow-ups.

Routine NHS dentist check up.

Breast lump in August, referral and various appointments in September & October.
Mirena removal and GP appointment re cervical polyp, removal and followup (all clear).
Plus flu jab in case I needed chemo.
Lumpectomy for BC in October & various follow ups in November & December.

2026 and onwards will have hormone inhibitor drugs following the radiotherapy this month (private due to work cover & NHS waitlists).
Hoping for nothing else major!

Me - one call to 111 for advice then popped to pharmacy on their recommendation.

DP - none

A lot. Both DH and I have had cancer twice.

Me:
Physiotherapy and other treatment weekly to monthly for a fractured shoulder for a year at hospital.
GP referral to x Ray at hospital for arthritis, and then hospital appointment.
Annual consultation with hospital lipid specialist.
FIT test for bowel cancer.
Repeat prescriptions for cancer medication, cholesterol.
Dermatitis GP appointment.
Dexa bone density scan at hospital.

DH:
dermatology hospital appointment for possible skin cancer ( he has history)
Blood test screening for prostate cancer.
FIT test for bowel cancer.
Podiatry appointment.

We were lucky, don’t think we used it at all apart from the DCs having flu vaccines at school. There are no NHS dentists available here, so we’ve all been to a private dentist. We would have had NHS dental check ups if it was possible.

Me - none. Last time I saw my GP was in 2005.

DH - none. His last GP appointment was in 2023 and prior to that, 2009.

Dentist - both private.

I last saw the GP three years ago. I also had a had a routine mammogram, smear test and asthma check up about two years ago.

I have a monthly repeat prescription which I was given three years ago. I should have been called for a review of that medication and the condition I take it for by now. Dr Google says I shouldn't be on the medication long term without regular reviews. Never had one, never been called for one.

All nhs dental apps plus 2 teens in nhs braces.
GP few apps for minor illness
Flu jsbs at the surgery/school nurse
Me surgery with ITU stay, specialist nurses visiting the house etc. Post op checks.
Kids under pads & different teams.
Its unusual to not have an appointment every week.

Edit to add forgot teen had dental op & 3 nights stay.

Definitely grateful for our nhs

Me - none
dd1 - once, infected finger needing anti biotics
dd2 - none

A heck of a lot

Me 3 x A&E
Gall bladder removal
Referral to EPU
4 EPU scans
2 lots of medical management for miscarriage
1 D&C
High Intensity therapy for PTSD
6 months of bimonthly GP appointments for anxiety/ depression
ASD diagnosis

DS
1 x A&E visit for badly broken limb
2 nights in hospital following surgery for resetting the bone
Monthly clinic appointments for 6 months
Further surgery to reset bone a month after break
5 months of bimonthly physio
ASD initial referral acceptance onto waiting list.

Other DC - about 3 GP appointments each for random illnesses.

I had a baby last year so.... lots 😆. Fantastic care though.

I suspect I am over my quota for the GP and under for the hospital:

Flu jab
Pill check
2x GP appointments
2x blood tests

Couldn’t count

at least 7 dentist appointments but all private

surgery (full day) with endo specialist and bowel surgeon, overnight stay plus follow ups, ultrasound, MRI etc
a&e for the endo a few times
doctor for UTI plus numerous other stuff
usual specialists - haematology every 12 weeks plus bloods, dermatology every 6 months

Me - repeat prescription request each month to gp
DD1 - repeat prescription request
DD2 - a&e trip for gastroenteritis - iv fluids and anti sickness meds. Urgent care for x-ray following ice skating accident. (Currently seeing plastics for finger)
DS - diabetes clinic X4, annual blood test, x-ray on shoulder, foot check
DH - colonoscopy, countless blood tests, MRI X2, several clinic appointments with consultant and gastro nurse,

Blood tests twice

Good I’ve no idea. roughly?

2-3 rheumatology appointments with my injections delivered to my home.
1 surgery on my vocal cords to biopsy and then remove a cyst.
1 bariatric surgery and gall bladder removal
1 smear test.
2-3 gp visits for infection/antibiotics.
1gp visit for right to choose adhd referral and following diagnosis
3x sets of blood tests
1 vit b12 injection.

4 dentist visits with 2 fillings and an extraction for a shattered tooth

One appt with practice nurse re a mole.
Private medical care was much more extensive though - loads of dentistry, covid and flu jab, mounjaro, treatment for a fungal toe, none of which were available on NHS.

Me:
flu jab
monthly repeat for antidepressants and HRT

DS:
Monthly testosterone injections (shared care with GP and private endocrinologist)

DH:
Practically lives between the surgery and the hospital.

Far too much.
multiple gp appts (prob 25 approx)
8 blood tests
x2 urgent care centre
x7 EPU appointments
TFMR surgery
surgery for broken bone
a and e dislocated jaw
MH appointments (4)

last time I used the nhs was for my smear test a couple of years ago

Varies year on year:
DH- GP reviews for asthma and Meds
DD: A&E after accident for steri strips
Me: Meds review at GP, appt for flu and chemist appt
Both DD and DH- Flu vaccinations
All of us- Dentist

Me - 2 telephone consults with GP for sick lines
DP - 1 GP visit to get sus moles checked
Dd1 - a&e followed by 4 night hospital stay, skin graft and follow ups at wound clinic and GP visit for antibiotics

Are you a journalist?

Personally 3 or 4 times. Two telephone appointments, one blood test and one visit to minor injuries. Should have also had a smear and BP / health check but am too busy, have a BP monitor at home and don't want to go and get a bmi lecture from an overweight nurse. Oh and a dental check up.

Have also taken dd to minor injuries.