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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it is no wonder people go to A and E unnecessarily

118 replies

Keremy · 05/01/2017 10:34

I have a series of medical problems and history of a lot of operations and pain.
I have been in agony for a week and unable to sleep. All I need is tablets I previously had on repeat prescription but haven't had in a few months as I haven't needed them but obviously I can't get them without seeing the doctor because of time frame which I understand but I can't get an appointment!

Our doctors has a system where you call when they open for appointments that day. I've called, I've been in but no luck.

I want to cry.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/01/2017 10:36

I agree. We don't have a queuing system but it's still a 3-6 week wait for an appointment.

Maybe just bang a repeat prescription in anyway?

Wolfiefan · 05/01/2017 10:39

Sometimes they will give you a phone appointment. Try that?

GarrulousGrimoire · 05/01/2017 10:40

Have you explained the situation to reception? I tend to find for my asthma even if I can't get an appointment they will get me a prescription to pick up. Or I can get the nurse practitioner who then refers.

It is ridiculous though, at my old Drs it used to be you could go before 10.30 am and sit and wait. First come first served basis and everyone got seen.

Now in a huge shiny new "super surgery" which should have better service it's ten times as hard!

Original poster
Keremy · 05/01/2017 10:41

Yup actually been in to the clinic.
Cannot have a repeat prescription, have asked for a call but was forgotten.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 05/01/2017 10:42

Put in a repeat prescription request but add a note explaining you're trying (but failing) to get an appointment.
GP services are stretched to the max but some surgeries seem to have better appointment systens than others.

Original poster
Keremy · 05/01/2017 10:43

I wouldn't mind if I went a lot but I went in May last year and then two years before that so it isn't like I'm constantly in wasting their time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Keremy · 05/01/2017 10:45

Tried Vino. They told me I needed to see doctor first.

I wouldn't mind but when i went in the waiting room was empty.

OP posts:
Twolittlejobbys · 05/01/2017 10:46

Phone in the morning and tell them it's an emergency. They will have morning appointments set aside for this. You're in pain=an emergency. Albeit not an A+E emergency but defo a GP one 🌺

DailyFail1 · 05/01/2017 10:47

Can you get a telephone appointment? Can you show up first thing in the morning as soon as the doors open & get seen? How about a non-urgent appointmenf? If not strongly suggest you find a local GP surgery that can offer these services. Many do. You might find differences between 2 surgeries in the same area even.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 05/01/2017 11:00

Please may I recommend Push Doctor.com?
They're an online GPService. Takes 5 mins to sign up online or download the app, there are normally appointments available within 10 minutes or you can book a more convenient time. They will then video call you via your phone or laptop and it's a genuine 10 minute doctors appointment. They can then write you a prescription and you can choose which pharmacy to send it to. I think your fjrst appointment is about £5.
I used them just before Christmas when I realise a cut was infected and knew it would need antibiotics but on Christmas Eve there was no chance of getting an appointment at my normal docs and didn't want to end up in A&E on Christmas Day. I honestly think they're an amazing service.

Tenshidarkangel · 05/01/2017 11:03

Or do OOH or walk in clinics. Might also be worth giving 111 a ring, see if they can sort something elsewhere.

itsmine · 05/01/2017 11:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1470997562 · 05/01/2017 11:05

I know what you mean.

Who has told you that you can't have a repeat prescription? Is it actually your GP or reception? If I write a note to my GP, she'll generally agree for the prescription but ask me to come in when I can get an appointment. Occasionally she's fitted me in as an extra if it's been needed.

Number4OnTheWay · 05/01/2017 11:11

Totally get what you mean. I've had to go to a&e for medication before because I just couldn't get an appointment (I tried for 2 weeks before I ran out and had little choice)
My mum found a lump and phoned the Dr for a week before finally getting an appointment. She said if she was more of an anxious person she would have gone to a&e and it's no wonder people get so ill :(

Original poster
Keremy · 05/01/2017 11:15

I'm waiting for them to call back at 6pm now. I am going to change doctors now asap.

Will search the push doctor thing. How do you get the actual prescription? Is it legit?

What on earth do you do if your child or baby is ill or you have pregnancy problems?

OP posts:
Threelittlerobins · 05/01/2017 11:17

You need to be more persistent and get a GP to call you back. Try again today. If no call within a few hours then call them back again and stress how urgent it is and that you need to speak to somebody today.

Wishforsnow · 05/01/2017 11:17

Trying to get a GP appointment is hopeless. It was odd as last time I went I was the only one in the waiting room and it's a surgery with 8 Drs.

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 05/01/2017 11:17

I've been to A&E twice because regular GPs refused to treat me.

Once was a bad chest infection where the GP just sent me back home and by the evening I couldn't breathe, had to have oxygen and stuff.

Second was a severe infection in my hand which the GP sneerily brushed off as gout and told me to take ibuprofen. I went straight from that surgery to A&E as the pain was too much to bear. Had surgery that night and was in hospital for four days.

Both of those could've been avoided with better trained GPs.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 05/01/2017 11:22

Keremy

The Push Doctor thing and the prescription is totally and utterly legitimate. In my case, while I was on the call with the doc she text messaged me a link to the prescription details. When we ended the call, I clicked on the link in the message which prompts you to choose the pharmacy (and 2 other back i options) you wish to collect it from. 5 minutes later, Push Doctor call me to confirm that my prescription is ready to collect from my first choice pharmacy and less than 5 mins later I was in Boots picking it up. It's brilliant. Obviously it won't be able to cover every kind of appointment but in a pinch for this kind of thing it's an amazing discovery.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 05/01/2017 11:26

PS Push Doctor is totallt NHS approved and you can even read about the Doctor you are having an appointment with
www.pushdoctor.co.uk/nhs

I know I sound like I'm on commission here - I'm not, they just saved my bacon and they could really help other people too.

bingolittle · 05/01/2017 11:26

Maybe try telling the receptionists that you're being forced to go to A&E because you can't get to see a doctor? Surprising how that sometimes opens up an appointment...

Laiste · 05/01/2017 11:27

I agree too OP.

So does eldest DD and she's a GP receptionist. She's embarrassed daily about how hard it is to get to see one of the docs at her practice and how many people she has to turn away.

mowgelijeffs · 05/01/2017 11:28

I haven't tried push doctor yet but have heard really great things about it. You need to pay the actual price for the drugs not the NHS price so it's possible it would be higher or lower then you thought. When you're in pain though that's the last of your worries!

Just to say, if you ring 111 they can get you an appointment with your doctor or may say you need one. Then call the surgery back and say 111 said I must see a doctor as soon as possible.
Also, is it codeine you need? Or tramadol? There are loads of replacement NSAID you could get without a prescription but get it if it's codeine or tramadol etc. Been in that boat myself.
Have you checked in the bottom of your hand bag or wash bags or suitcase for any forgotten meds?

Really hope you feel better soon.

JerryFerry · 05/01/2017 11:31

Boy this sucks. How deeply frustrating for you. Second time tonight I've been super happy to be at the mercy of a different health system.

Needed a script today, hopped online to order, paid by PayPal, received a call 2hrs later to say it was ready. You can either order a repeat or explain what you need and why. Your own GP will write the script if they are happy to.

galaxygirl45 · 05/01/2017 11:35

I cannot understand for the life of me how GPs were ever able to opt out of 24 hour care. Every branch in healthcare works 24 hours, it is pushing the A & E care to crisis levels, yet the average GP earns £150k for working 9 - 5 weekdays. Our local out of hours used to pick up the slack but you can't even get appointments there now, as 111 have to book it for you and they tend to be very dismissive. I had a really bad chest infection last January, that I tried over 4 days to get seen with. I then collapsed and ended up in A & E with pneumonia and was ill for well over a month. Had I had antibiotics and steroids on the 1st day that I needed them, I would have bypassed all of that. I'm a sensible adult who used to work as a HCA so I know darned well when I need treatment. Our GPs surgery is full of elderly patients who seem to go once a week for a check up and students who get block booked appointments from the local agricultural college and have no hassle getting their contraception and sniffles sorted out Angry.

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