I know I am but arrghgghhhhh.... GP

[monkeymamma]

I just want to make an appointment for my 4 year old to see the GP (or nurse practitioner) because there's something I'm worried about, and it's driving me nuts.

Called this morning at 8am and they were engaged. Tried again and again until it was time to take DS to school and had to run all the way there.

Called now and was told they have nothing bookable for at least three weeks. They said call 8am for same day appointment (can't get through) or come to walk in (don't want to, because they will tell me it's not acute/urgent and I need to make an appointment to see the GP). (Actually what they will say is 'he seems fine' (head isn't falling off, no temp etc), 'but come back again if you're worried'. Well yes I am already worried, that's why I'm here for fuck's sake).

I've made the appointment for 3 weeks' time, but I know I'll be worrying myself silly until then. So fucking cross that a FOUR YEAR OLD can't get seen by his/a doctor when he needs to be.

Need to pull up my big girl pants now and get on with it, but really I just want to cry.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Hrft, but my dd, 5, has a scab on her head. I've assumed it's just excema, she's scratched it, scab has formed. Just like a scab on any other part of her body. No need to go to dr at all.
Of course, yours might be different, I don't have time to read full thread to find out, just thought I'd add my experience.

[ConvincingLiar]

Taking a 2 year old to A&E because they might have hurt their wrist? Surely there was more to it. My two year old is pretty vocal if he's hurt himself. The level/length of crying is a good indicator of how badly hurt he is.

[MaudlinNamechange]

No. They know their drugs, do pharmacists.

It is a huge misunderstanding of what general practice (or medicine is) to think that it is knowing what thing to prescribe. If GPs behave like that, they are not very good GPs.

[QuizteamBleakley]

MonkeyMamma - I have already said this but PLEASE pop along to your pharmacist. There are private rooms and no need for appointments so, worse case scenario, you'll be seen after the pharmacist has filled Mrs Scroggin's prescription.

I am constantly staggered at people (not directed at the OP) either waiting weeks to see their GP or clogging up A&E with minor ailments when there is usually a highly trained medical professional within a few miles. To give you some idea, a pharmacist will usually have undertaken a four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree, a one-year pre-registration training course in a pharmacy AND a registration exam. They know their onions, do pharmacists.
Hope you get some answers v soon.

[BushExplorer]

I know. It boils my blood as well people using the system as a gp drop in centre.

[ItsJustNotRight]

bush I know that fining people for using A&E could never work for the reasons you mention and many more, I know it could never be a realistic solution to deterring time wasters ... but it atill makes my blood boil. It was just a rant - not meant as a realistic solution !

[CockacidalManiac]

A and E does seem a tad extreme but if it avoids weeks of angst and worry then I say go for it.

Don't be so fucking ridiculous. Entitlement like this is ruining the NHS.

[steppemum]

Pharmacist is your answer.
They are massively under used for stuff like this.
You can have private consultation, ,all pharmacists have a private room.

[roasted]

At least you can make an appointment for 3 weeks' time - mine only lets you call the same day and hope for the best, which is a terrible system.

Could you see a pharmacist? Many of them are able to diagnose minor ailments which covers cuts and bruises - a scab on the head doesn't sound too far from their standard remit. Much easy to see a pharmacist than a doctor!

[Helloitsme90]

I'm sorry but non of you are doctors and therefore it isn't fine to wait 3 weeks or not get it checked out. It is Probably nothing but the anxiousness OP is feeling is likely to cause her unnecessary stress and the quicker she can see her GP for reassurance for her son the better. A and E does seem a tad extreme but if it avoids weeks of angst and worry then I say go for it. I went on a Monday morning after half term. My daughter had possibly hurt her wrist (2 years old) she was seen in 5 mins as they were so quiet.
My surgery have this 8am policy but it has never seemed to apply to young children

[unlucky83]

Our GPs have a fantastic system - you can book in advance online or phone on the day. But they hold some appts back and release them at certain times - so eg at 8am and more online after 6pm. So if it is something that can wait weeks you can just make an appt - more urgent and a bit more hassle...but possible.
The other thing that is great is if you have something ongoing and need to see the same GP regularly -say in a weeks time - there might not be a standard appt available so in theory you would have to try and get one after 6pm or phone on the day and hopefully get one. But the GP can override the system and book you in themselves from their computer. Obviously the receptionists can't do that -as it has to be the GPs decision whether it is 'important' enough.

[MrEBear]

Monkey the reason why there is nothing between same day and 3 weeks. Is because of a catch-22, GPs need to keep so many appointments back for urgent cases, at the same time many people will be on the phone asking for urgent appointments who don't really need urgent, in turn pushing up demand for urgent. So the GP ends up reserving more and more appointments for urgent.

Please don't underestimate pharmacists, they start out on the same medicine degree as doctors, take her along and ask their thoughts. They probably know more about what to put on it / avoid putting on it than your GP.

[monkeymamma]

Thank you all for the replies, especially the 'could be something harmless' ones which really help, I know I am over worrying this one but I just get very very anxious about my eldest in particular. When I was very young my mum had a series of what turned out to be benign lumps, but there was a lot of worry around about and lumps and weird bumps really get me in overdrive.

I won't be taking him to A&E!

To clarify I wasn't suggesting he should get a same day appointment nor did I feel it was urgent enough for walk-in (plus I know from experience they won't take anything short of meningitis seriously at the walk-in). What pisses me off is that there's nothing in between same day and three weeks away.

Hodor am sending you un-mumsnetty hugs and hoping your little one is ok.

Two posters did make me lol 'put your youngest in his high chair' fuck me I wish I could get him in the blessed thing at mealtimes let alone to buy me five minutes! Also 'why can't you supervise your children when you're on the phone' - you welcome to come round and try it for yourself, why not show me how it's done

[Sirzy]

I am so pleased this thread has moved towards common sense. I was reading it wondering what the fuss was!

What people seem to forget is that a big part of the problem with getting GP appointments, especially same day ones, is the amount of people who don't self treat or just nip the the pharmacist they run to the GP at the first sign of anything.

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

"sepsisandAKI

I think 3 weeks isn't unreasonable for something that really doesn't sound serious. Flu jabs literally take 2 mins and are usually done by Practice Nurses so I can't see, as a PP suggested, they have taken all the appts!
As to whoever suggested A&E I dread think what you go to A&E with!"

Erm...I have never ever been to A&E because it is for very very serious stuff. I broke my ankle once and struggled bravely with it. Eventually it got better but my leg is twisted out of shape now. I broke my collar bone another time so I self-diagnosed. Oh and I sprained my ankle really badly hill-walking in the Scottish Highlands in the winter. That time it took me 10 days to inch my way off the hill.

Fuss? Moi?

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

Oh yes I was "somehow joking"...

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

"KitKat1985

Can I just say PoppyBird please don't suggest going to A&E for this. A&E is for serious and life threatening emergencies / injuries only, not to be used in lieu of going for a GP appointment."

Are you an A&E consultant? Is so, shouldn't you be working very hard for the benefit of the NHS?

Lol

[hopetobehappy]

I agree greatfuckability that is where the drunks should go. It still uses up lots of resources though, same as people going for scabs on the head. Nether is right.

[BushExplorer]

I agree with not going to a&e. That's for emergencies. I don't agree with fining people who go at find it's a waste of time or not appropriate as this will put people off from attending with potentially serious problems for worry that they'll get fined such as the elderly. If someone has a mental health problem or anxiety and thinks they're dying but they're having a panic attack or similar would you charge them. It would be too hard to police.

Anyway sorry for the derail. Yabu to demand a same day appointment for a scab on the head. I understand you're anxious but it most probably is nothing. Could it be psoriasis? That appears like a lump and scaley, or as others have suggested it may be a blocked hair follicle. Hard to say without seeing it. Hope you are reassured after the appointment.

[IWantAnotherBaby]

This is in no way urgent. 3 weeks is perfectly fine. You have left it "for ages"; why do you suddenly think it needs to be seen urgently?
I am very unimpressed by people who show up for things like this having demanded a same-day emergency/ urgent appointment with me.

And A&E?!? I really hope the people suggesting that were somehow joking...

[LivingOnTheDancefloor]

Why can't you supervise your DC while being on the phone, especially if you are not actually talking to somebody, just trying to go through?
When I need a same day appt I start calling 30 sec before 8am, and re-dial non-stop as long as the line is engaged. And sometime I do it with landline and mobile at the same time.

[GreatFuckability]

well, if those drunken fighting louts are injured thats where they should be. its not worse than taking up time at a&e for a scab thats been there for a while. a&e is for accidents and emergencies. this is neither of those.

[sepsisandAKI]

I think 3 weeks isn't unreasonable for something that really doesn't sound serious. Flu jabs literally take 2 mins and are usually done by Practice Nurses so I can't see, as a PP suggested, they have taken all the appts!
As to whoever suggested A&E I dread think what you go to A&E with!

[hopetobehappy]

To be fair there are far worse things that clog up the A&E, what about all the drunken fighting louts.

[CockacidalManiac]

A&E?! Jesus, some people.