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

[curiousgeorgie]

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??

But come on silver why should you have to be clear on the phone with a receptionist. They are not triage nurses, they know nothing at all about medicine and should not be making the decision about whether something is urgent. That's dangerous.

If I were you I would go to a walk in clinic and see what they say. They should have no problem with you going if your gp won't see you.

As for your gp I would make a complaint to practice mgr and PALS and probably also my MP.

It's ridiculous for the receptionist to suggest you can't need to see the gp if you don't need A&E!!! GPS are only there for non A&E issues!!! Such flawed logic!

Hearing this, my gps are amazing, I have never failed to get a same day appt for a non-emergency issue (eg ongoing back pain). I have had 3 physio referrals over the last couple of years and just been referred for an MRI.

There are great GPs out there, yours are terrible

And I never have to justify an appointment to the receptionist.

Why didn't you book an appointment in three weeks? You wouldn't have long to wait, and there would be nothing stopping you from trying to get an appointment every day, and if successful, cancelling the other.

Why didnt you say it was an emergency? The receptionist asked if it was and you said no. She could have just thought it wasnt that urgent. I would have said yes it was an emergency as it clearly is urgent you are seen.

I'm sorry that you're having trouble getting a timely appointment, it must be stressful for you.
However, as you have had previous surgery, you should be able to ring your consultant's secretary to get an appt without a GP referral.
Also, the paediatrician could have referred your LO directly to the allergy clinic.
(from persoal experience of both)

i dont think the paediatrician can necessarily refer direct, with gp's holding the purse strings i think they have to make the referral.
and didnt op say the previous surgery was in london, which sounds like she isnt in london.

Our gp practice classes an emergency as 'cannot wait till tomorrow', not immediately life threatening. You have already waited several days so you cannot wait anymore. I would follow the advice above to demand an appointment and if you don't get one go to the nearest walk in clinic.

This is the reason why a&e is in crisis. Many people would use their gps in preference to going to a&e if there were appointments available. And it's ultimately costing the nhs far more money.

Good luck op and hope your medical issue turns out to be nothing serious

I am just outside London. I had all my surgeries at Chelsea & Westminster.

But they were years & years ago. I was discharged a long time ago. I don't think that's an avenue I can explore.

And my paediatrician at the hospital discharged us back to the GP for them to make the referral for my DD to have allergy testing.

It is urgent - tell the receptionist. I've had two breast lumps, and was seen at GP surgery same day and at breast clinic within 2 weeks. Can a friend help with the school run - I know you said your close support network couldn't do it, but I'd do a school drop off for anyone in this situation and have done so for neighbours and mums at school I've not know that well.

Hope you get seen soon and all is ok

curious the system sounds insane but you need to be assertive. It absolutely is urgent and it cannot wait. First thing on Monday, please phone and get yourself an appointment, you have all of MN rooting for you. Good luck!

They should squeeze you in.

BuT YANBU a bit..they are not refusing you an appointment just offering you one if you go at a yime you can't or won't as its not convenient.

So they are not technically doing wrong but should be more flexible.

I am a dental receptionist and get people telling me they have toothache but can only come say at 5pm on a monday..then they get annoyed when I have no space then for weeks.

You know you can move to a different Dr and leave your children registed there don't you?

It is terrible but do go to a walk in centre, they are not just for accidents

Of COURSE you have to be clear on the phone to the receptionist (and less of the 'come on' please - I'm not 5). That doesn't mean explaining symptoms - I have never done that - it means explaining clearly and objectively whether this is a condition that needs seeing that day or in a weeks time. Our receptionists are really good - I'm lucky, but doctors receptionists are not psychic. I do wonder whether they have a list of patients that demand to be seen immediately, every time, and another list of patients that are reasonable.....

I dont think you should have to tell the receptionist why you need to see the doctor, but in the ops situation I would have definitely said 'I have found a lump in my breast'. I think she would have found you an appointment then.

The trouble with walk-in centres is that they can't do referrals.

The distinction that the receptionist hasn't grasped (and this is a problem throughout the NHS, imho) is the difference between "urgent" and "serious". The OP's condition isn't urgent - she's not going to bleed to death, for example, if not treated immediately, so going to A&E would be ridiculous. On the other hand, it is potentially very serious, so she does need to be seen reasonably quickly.

I assume you don't have a situation where you can ask for a GP to call you? That would be one option. Another, I guess, would be to ask to see the practice nurse, on the basis that once you have made contact with a medical professional, then they will make sure you get the appropriate treatment.

I agree that you have to be very clear with a receptionist.

I usually use phrases such as "I am very concerned about this" or "I need to see or speak to a dr today". I also tell her what the problem is. I don't mind doing that, but I understand if people don't want to.