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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think its ridiculous I still haven't seen a doctor?

67 replies

curiousgeorgie · 30/03/2014 02:40

I am 31, with a long history of breast surgeries (followed by a bout of MSRA in a London hospital where I had to have the surgery a further 11 times.)

That was 9 years ago. I hardly ever go to the GP for me, but often go for my children.

Last weekend I felt a lump in my breast and noticed that above it was a huge blister on the skin I hadn't seen before. Probably nothing given that I have had so many surgeries.. But it still worried me.

I rang the GP first thing Monday morning.. 'No appointments'.. Not, 'none this week' or 'none today' just, no appointments. Ring again tomorrow.

I called Tuesday. We have nothing left. For the next three weeks. It's only try your luck 'book on the day' appointments but we only have five and people queue for them.

Great.

Tried Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Nothing.

Was asked my the receptionist that if it was such a serious problem I needed to call every day I should just go to A&E. I (although none of her business!) told her that it wasn't an emergency but that I would like to see a doctor... She said in that case, I don't need to see one.

I'm with an integrated practice and on Saturday afternoons there's a call session where you can speak to a doctor. They wouldn't even put me on the list.

I asked for an appointment, and the 'nothing for three weeks' had increased to 'nothing for four weeks, try book on the day appointments.'

After my discovery last weekend I just wanted to see a doctor and get a weight off of my mind. It's already been a week. It's clearly going to be four more! (At least.)

I'm pissed off. I hardly ever go. I personally haven't been in 5 years aside from to book in for pregnancy and when I had pnuemonia. I deserve a bloody doctors appointment!!

AIBU??

OP posts:
Kittymalinky · 30/03/2014 07:46

Could you try a local walk in centre? I know you should be able to see a doc, and a GP would be best for this but I guess it's better than presenting at A&E.

I don't think you can wait 4 weeks tbh, that seems a long time.

AboveTheOxbow · 30/03/2014 07:53

Not an ideal solution but when my working hours mean I can't get a consultation, I book in to a local private GP surgery. There are a few around, it's worth seeing if you have one close by.

Longtalljosie · 30/03/2014 08:11

God almighty.

You need to tell the GP you need an urgent appointment. Tell her you have a lump for heavens sake. And sod the school run.

Nocomet · 30/03/2014 08:30

Our surgery has no appointments except emergency ones either at the moment, it's ridiculous. We have to phone after the school bus has left, which means hoping you get a morning appointment or racing in after you've rung and hoping the child isn't late.

We have no drop in for illness (only minor injuries) A&E is 13 miles

deakymom · 30/03/2014 08:33

i hate to say this but its probably not the actual doctors fault they seem to be pretty clueless as to what goes on in reception i had one doctor threaten to sack his staff because she refused to put me through for a call to him which he himself requested! he rang me asking if there was a problem and i told him he asked how hard it was to get an appointment and i explained everything my friend knew one of the staff and apparently he went apocalyptic at them!

go to out of hours care its what they are for xx

slartybartfast · 30/03/2014 08:33

we have to ring at 8.30, are you leaving it too late?
never mind getting children to school, do you have a mobile that you can ring from, at dead on 8.30?

do they offer a nruse appointment?
that cant be right that there are just no appointments.

frumpet · 30/03/2014 08:41

Ring them on Monday and explain the situation to the receptionist , previous breast surgery , new lump / blister ,explain you are significantly worried about your health . If they still have no appointments available , ask to speak to the practise manager , stay on hold , do not allow them to ring you back , and get everyone's name .
If they suggest A&E again ask for the persons name so you can tell A&E who refered you to them , for neither an accident or emergency .

thegreylady · 30/03/2014 08:45

That is appalling Ihave never heard of such a system. There is a rule that if you have a breast lump you have to be seen at a breast clinic within 2 weeks. Tell the receptionist you will send a written complaint to the practice manager and if need be a copy to the regulating authority (I forget the name).

MorganLeFey · 30/03/2014 08:52

If you don't want to go into details you could say to the Receptionist that you have a 'RED FLAG SYMPTOM' that might require a '2 WEEK WAIT' referral' & could you please have their full name to DOCUMENT as responsible for delay buy not even putting you on a telephone triage list to speak to a doctor.
I think that will get you a space on the callback list & sooner appointment!

Walk-in centres may not be able to make specialty referrals & same with A&E (except v defined bring back clinics like Ortho) unless you need admission to hospital - so not sure I'd waste time there without checking that first.

Not sure direct private referral would necessarily by the way forward either - e.g. might be a breast surgeon not a gynaecologist you need or just repeat examination.

MorganLeFey · 30/03/2014 08:53

(It's not a rule that all breast lumps must be seen within 2 weeks in hospital - it depends on the clinical assessment!)

3littlefrogs · 30/03/2014 08:59

OP.
Sit down today and write a letter to your GP:

Dear GP
I have a lump in my breast that I am very worried about. I have a history of breast surgery.
Despite my best efforts I have been unable to get an appointment and your receptionist has advised me that the only alternative is to go to A&E.

Please would you confirm whether this is my only option, or whether you can offer me an appointment at the surgery.

Many thanks.

3littlefrogs · 30/03/2014 09:01

PS - quote the dates and times you have contacted the surgery and post the letter first class.

The GP will have no idea that you have been trying to get an appointment, but usually they do read letters.

CC the practice manager if you wish.

polythenespam · 30/03/2014 09:03

YANBU, it shouldn't be that difficult to get a GP appt.

However, you're not helping yourself - just tell the receptionist that you have a history of breast surgery and have now found a lump, so it is urgent. I bet they'll magically manage to find you an appt.

Parliamo · 30/03/2014 09:05

Are you still on the books with the hospital? My mum still sees a consultant because of her history and it was nearly 15 years ago. She said I can phone for an appointment without seeing my GP because of family history. Maybe worth a phone call there?

Other than that, Morgan's advice sounds like the quickest way to get an appointment.

wigglylines · 30/03/2014 09:06

You need to be seen. Agree with others, just take the SCs with you Monday morning and demand to be seen.

slartybartfast · 30/03/2014 09:13

otoh, go to A & E.

ExcuseTypos · 30/03/2014 09:17

Ring tomorrow morning and explain you have been trying for a week to get an appointment for a breast lump. If the receptionist refuses to give you an appointment that day, tell her you will come and sit in the waiting room until you are seen and that you will make a complaint about her/the surgery as you have told them you have a breast lump and have not been given an appointment.

I've had 2 breast lumps, one only a month ago. Both times I've had an appointment the same day as the dr has "squeezed me in" at the end of surgery. I would expect any dr would do the same with something so urgent.

bbcessex · 30/03/2014 09:24

Agree..write a letter stating everything.

But also.. DH can't help because of work commitments? Come on.. tell him.to raise his game... Sod work, with your history and new symptoms. Surely he can take time off or go in late? If he can't bend to make things more accessible, how is he different from the GP practice?

HSMMaCM · 30/03/2014 09:29

Can you make an appointment with the nurse, who will grab a doctor if needed?

RandomMess · 30/03/2014 09:32

It is urgent! Tell them you need an urgent appointment.

rabbitlady · 30/03/2014 09:33

you have to go. you have to make a fuss. its urgent. i'm sorry. just do it.

MrsCaptainReynolds · 30/03/2014 09:34

Contact the Practice Manager.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/03/2014 09:35

It IS an emergency, why would you tell then otherwise?Confused

Hope you get seen soon and it's nothing sinisterThanks

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 30/03/2014 09:40

Maddening - she saw one paediatrician then got discharged with a letter for the GP to refer her for allergy testing.

And my DH really can't (at least this week)... He's started a new contract (self employed, contracts at different companies) and its crucial to be a model employee at the beginning Wink

I'll ring the practice manager, and if no luck, threaten Pals etc.. Or go to a minor injury centre.

Thanks so much for all your advice Thanks

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 30/03/2014 09:47

I have never failed to get an appointment on the same day at my GP surgery. If they can manage to do this I don't really understand why other practices cannot. Generally my appointments are a few weeks away, which is fine. But a couple of months ago I phoned with a condition that I was concerned about. Spoke to a dr - all fine. A week later - phoned, was phoned back by the dr and was told to come straight in. I do think you have to be very clear about what it is that is the matter, and you do have to be reasonable - getting arsey about appointments 2 weeks away for non urgent stuff is not reasonable, neither is getting arsey about not being seen if you haven't been clear about urgent symptoms etc.

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