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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctors won’t see me (saga continues)

324 replies

TheCatsPaws · 12/02/2018 09:13

Previous posts about severe anxiety, recurrent miscarriages.

Had a D&C on Wednesday. Yesterday had a raging temperature, coloured discharge and general unwell feeling. Rang EPU who said to make an emergency doctors appointment today re possible infection.

Got an emergency appointment today. Stuck in traffic for half an hour because road is covered in snow. Rang GP, stuck on phone for 20 minutes. Got told by a receptionist that “sorry you’re too late, we won’t see you”

I explained I had surgery on Wednesday and the ward thinks I have an infection, and wants me to see a dr today. “Sorry that’s our policy”. After much arguing, I asked if she’ll be personally responsible if I get sepsis to which she just quoted policy at me again.

AIBU to be fuming? I’m going down to the surgery and demanding to see the manager right now.

OP posts:
shouldnthavesaid · 12/02/2018 09:39

I'm sorry you're having such an awful time Flowers , hope things get sorted soon. If you've a walk in centre nearby could you try them? (Understanding not everyone has one, I live in Scotland and don't think we have anything of the sort!)

Original poster
TheCatsPaws · 12/02/2018 09:39

So yours is life threatening. But nobody else's is. Sure.

A post surgery infection can be life threatening and can quickly turn to sepsis. I’m sure those people being made to wait an extra 10 minutes or being late picking their kids up would be inconvenienced to the same level of my two year old if I died. But hey, they can’t possibly be late for their non emergencies can they Hmm

OP posts:
DriggleDraggle · 12/02/2018 09:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LemonShark · 12/02/2018 09:41

"GPs need a triage system. Nobody who is potentially dangerously ill should be refused a pretty much immediate appointment."

I don't think you understand the difference between a GP surgery, and A&E. and walk in centres! If GP surgeries opened themselves up to emergency walk ins they'd never see the end of them and be unable to see their regular patient appointments. That's why we have A&E and walk ins. So people who are seriously ill and can't wait can be seen asap, and those who need to be seen that day can be seen that day.

Seriously wondering if some of PP are even familiar with the UK healthcare system!

Go to A&E if you're that concerned or ring a walk in centre.

Skittlesss · 12/02/2018 09:41

Oh ignore Lemon. She's probably a GP receptionist and we all know how important they think they are... I think maybe ring NHS direct and speak to them - explain what's happened and they might be able to arrange something for you.

Sirzy · 12/02/2018 09:41

It’s the ward who told you to wait that you should be angry with surely? They should have sorted something yesterday

Rebeccaslicker · 12/02/2018 09:41

With respect OP, you don't know why any of them are there.

What you're going through is utterly shit and then the shit weather has put the icing on the crappy cake. it makes sense that you need to take out your frustration somewhere but Gp surgeries couldn't run efficiently if everyone turned up and shouted for an appointment.

Could you see someone privately maybe? You can usually get in there with a couple of hours' notice.

LemonShark · 12/02/2018 09:42

"A post surgery infection can be life threatening and can quickly turn to sepsis. I’m sure those people being made to wait an extra 10 minutes or being late picking their kids up would be inconvenienced to the same level of my two year old if I died. But hey, they can’t possibly be late for their non emergencies can they hmm"

So where are all the other patients who have a potentially threatening infection going today if not their GP? Hmm

Theworldisfullofidiots · 12/02/2018 09:42

My GP would have seen you even if you were late. I'd be inclined to go and wait to be seen. I suspect it's the receptionist not the GP.
If they won't see you go to a walk in centre or a&e. I really wouldn't wait.

FragrantFloozy · 12/02/2018 09:43

I’d be going to A&E if I were you.

brummiesue · 12/02/2018 09:43

If you are less than 1 week post surgical evac just called the epau/gynae ward where they saw you, then should arrange for you to be assessed.

Chrisinthemorning · 12/02/2018 09:44

Goodness not sure why everyone is getting at you OP, you’ve just lost your baby Flowers
Where was your D&C done- in hospital? Ring the ward. They should deal with their own post op complications surely not send them to the GP?
In terms of the GP ask to speak to the practice manager, apologise profusely for missing your appointment but say you do need a consultation today so you are going to sit and wait. They will have someone not turn up or cancel at some point today I’m sure.
FWIW I spent 15 years working in NHS healthcare but being busy doesn’t mean you have to stop being kind to people having a rubbish time. Flowers

LemonShark · 12/02/2018 09:44

Skittlesss No, I'm not. If I was I wouldn't have time to be sat on here!

But I am very familiar with using GP surgeries sadly due to long term serious health problems. So I know why they can't just let everyone show up when they can and be seen. That's not their job. Again, that's the job of a walk in centre or in an emergency A&E.

You're quickly losing sympathy OP by insisting that only you are special enough to need to be seen with your condition while being so certain everyone else is there for a sniffle. Come on now, you're frustrated and kicking off at anyone else you can but even in this state you must be able to recognise how impossible you're being.

nakedscientist · 12/02/2018 09:44

A post surgery infection can be life threatening and can quickly turn to sepsis
Yes, call the hospital again and tell them what's happened. They will advise.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 12/02/2018 09:45

OP had a potentially life threatening condition, not an ingrown nail.

Kicking off won’t help, but it’s worth going to the practice and see if they have any cancellations.

AnUtterIdiot · 12/02/2018 09:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 12/02/2018 09:46

Actually, A&E might be better, chances are GP would have sent you there anyway.

3boys3dogshelp · 12/02/2018 09:47

YANBU to be upset that you’ve missed your appointment but YABU to expect to take somebody else’s. Because that is what you are asking essentially, that or the dr missing their lunch/goes home later. That doesn’t sound too bad, it’s only 10 minutes, but what if 10 people did that?? It’s a rubbish situation, but it’s not the drs fault you weren’t there on time and they can’t magic extra time out of thin air.
You sound like you do need to be seen so perhaps go to your urgent care centre/walk in clinic. Hope you feel better soon.

nakedscientist · 12/02/2018 09:47

You're quickly losing sympathy OP by insisting that only you are special enough

Not with me! You are not 'special enough" but you are ill enough to need a speedy response.

twoplytwoply · 12/02/2018 09:47

It's completely unreasonable to go in and shout. As has already been said, you had an appointment, you missed it, they kept to their policy. It doesn't matter why you were late, you were too late that's it.

If you went and kicked off in my surgery, they'd kick you off their list - zero tolerance.

If you think you're that ill, there's a&e and other facilities available to you.

I had a similar situation after I had my baby where I had retained placenta and a huge infection, I spoke to my GP and he sent me straight back to the ward anyway so maybe you should try that.

LemonShark · 12/02/2018 09:48

And all of this energy spent raging at the surgery (who made you an appointment) could be spent googling the nearest walk in, ringing them and asking if you just show up and wait or can be made an appointment (they differ) or going to A&E if it's too urgent to wait.

Ring 111 (is that still the number?) for advice if you're unsure but you'll only waste your own time being rude to the surgery. You may possibly be fitted in if you show up and refuse to leave but there's no guarantee (mine wouldn't physically be able to fit you in) so you may as well head to a walk in where you WILL be seen.

MrsPreston11 · 12/02/2018 09:49

Just go to out of hours or minor injuries department and stop being so dramatic.

YOU missed your appointment. YOU need to find an alternative.

Sleephead1 · 12/02/2018 09:50

op I am a receptionist we are advised if over ten min late you have to rebook this is the doctors policy not ours. if I had you on the phone I would have sent a message to doctor to explain and see what they advised. we do ask the doctors and some are more likely to say it's ok than others. I would say your options are ring and ask your details to be passed to on call doctor or ring ward see if you can go to them or drive straight to walk in or A&E you need to be seen today

frogsoup · 12/02/2018 09:50

Um yes I live in the UK lemon and know the difference between GPs and a&e, but I don't think you do! I have three kids with asthma and if one of them has a bad chest infection they will probably need antibiotics and maybe a nebuliser. They don't necessarily need to go to a&e for that, it would cost a fortune if we headed there every time. Definitely both urgent and potentially deadly if not treated though. Luckily the GP surgery don't think like you, because they will ALWAYS slot us in, even if I ring at 5.20 on a Friday. Sure, we'd go to a&e if not, but rather better use of resources for a gp to see instead - which is what the epu clearly knows as well in this case. The receptionist in ops case is being an idiot.

Original poster
TheCatsPaws · 12/02/2018 09:50

Thank you for replies. Spoke to surgery in person and took my dad with me because I was too anxious to go alone. They’ve miraculously rebooked me for this evening and told me to go to a&e if I get worse in the meantime.

I’m sure certain posters know as well as I do not everyone is there with a life threatening condition. I’d be more than happy to wait (and have waited an hour for appointments before) if someone had an emergency and needed to go in before me. I don’t understand the lack of compassion some have.

OP posts: