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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That I can't get a Doctor's appointment?

24 replies

venetian25 · 12/03/2018 19:30

Just as the title says really.

I am now entering week 4 of a persistent chesty cough, my chest now hurts, it's keeping me awake at night (and DH) and I've noticed over the weekend how breathless I'm getting. For the record I'm also a non-smoker.

All the advice online says to see a GP if cough lasts more than 3 weeks, great advice but sadly this doesn't seem to be an option.

I rang our local surgery today and was told they are not booking any appointments at the moment but if it was really urgent I would need to go to the walk-in centre - well I don't think a cough is urgent and I am going to work, not particularly ill etc., but just want to get it checked out!

Both myself and DH work and pay taxes, DH Is a high earner so is In a high tex band, neither myself, DH or two teenage DC have seen a GP in the last 2 years as luckily we're all pretty healthy (of which I'm very thankful for) so aibu for being annoyed that on the odd occasion it would be nice to access a service that I'm paying for?

.

OP posts:
ScreamingLevitation · 12/03/2018 19:31

You can access the service you're paying for by going to the walk in...

HarrietKettle · 12/03/2018 19:32

It's not ideal for you but you CAN access a service you paid for. The walk-in.

Original poster
venetian25 · 12/03/2018 19:33

Yes, but i feel this is for urgent cases? Maybe I'm wrong, tbh I have never been there before as would feel a bit silly going there with a cough.

OP posts:
ScreamingLevitation · 12/03/2018 19:34

Have you checked the opening hours of your local WICs? Near me they are open up to 8 pm at least, some as late as 10 pm.

feathermucker · 12/03/2018 19:34

Yes, you should be able to access a GP.....in an ideal world, but you do have the option of a walk-in centre aswell.

I have every sympathy for your condition, but your income, and your husband's income, are totally irrelevant in this situation. The right to see a GP does not increase or decrease based on a person's wage or how often they access NHS treatment.

FroodGloriousFrood · 12/03/2018 19:34

Complain to your MP

ScreamingLevitation · 12/03/2018 19:35

WICs are intended to deal with "minor illnesses and injuries". Go for it.

HarrietKettle · 12/03/2018 19:36

If it's something you'd go to your GP for then yeah, you can absolutely use the walk-centre.

Batteriesallgone · 12/03/2018 19:37

I know what you mean OP. We hardly ever go to the doctor but I had a really painful joint a while ago and had to wait 4 weeks to get it seen. What with waiting over a month to see if it would get better on its own I was in pain for over two months. It’s not GPS fault obviously they are overworked understaffed etc. I just wish there was better provision made for GP services at top level. I’m sure the pressure on A&Es would lessen if GP appointments were easy and convenient to get.

Original poster
venetian25 · 12/03/2018 19:39

Thank you all for your advice - I will go to WIC, I just wasn't sure if it was too 'minor'.

And yes sorry shouldn't have mentioned income/taxes was just venting as we are a family of four who very rarely use NHS, but I guess you never what's round the corner and I know they do swing into action when needed.

OP posts:
SweetieBaby · 12/03/2018 19:40

Problem with WICs is that they only deal with acute illnesses or injuries, so eg if you need to be referred to hospital you still need a GP appointment. This happened to me last year. Developed acute symptom, couldn't get a GP appointment so went to WIC. They felt that it needed referral to hospital but this had to be done by GP. Couldn't get an appointment with GP, and so it went on.

HarrietKettle · 12/03/2018 19:43

My walk in centre phoned my GP and said I needed to be seen, got an appointment the next day. So it can be totally worth going that way.

feellikeanalien · 12/03/2018 19:44

YADNBU. I have recently changed my GP practice as I was unable to get an appointment. I was told that there were none available and no date for one being available was given.

I had a telephone consultation with the GP who ordered blood tests. According to a locum who spoke to me about the results there was nothing wrong with them and he grudgingly offered a nurse appointment.

After changing to a new practice I was seen by a very sympathetic GP within three days, given further extensive blood tests and have now been referred to a rheumatologist with a potential autoimmune condition.

I don't know if a change of practice is possible for you but if not I would go to the walk in centre as they are usually pretty good.

Original poster
venetian25 · 12/03/2018 19:48

@feellikeanalien

That's awful, glad you got to see someone else eventually - hope you get it sorted.

OP posts:
OrangeHorse · 12/03/2018 19:55

I find that it is crazy how different it is in different areas/GPs. I recently moved, (about a 15 min drive away) and changed GPs. At my old one I could never get an appointment unless I was willing to wait 3+ weeks or call first thing for an urgent appointment. My new one I had an issue on Friday night, logged on to their online system on the Saturday and was able to book an appointment for Monday morning.

JuniLoolaPalooza · 12/03/2018 20:05

A few people I know don't bother with the GP at all. They call 111 and get an appointment at WIC or just go straight to the WIC. It's not great, but sadly, this is the way the NHS is going, due to the cuts etc.

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 12/03/2018 20:10

You can have one of mine if you want. I've been notified my surgery want me in 2 times this week and a phone consultation as well Hmm

I'm actually surprisingly well for me so I have no idea what they're for!

Bombardier25966 · 12/03/2018 20:14

but I guess you never what's round the corner and I know they do swing into action when needed.

Many of us with chronic conditions would disagree with this. The NHS is on its knees due to years of underfunding. It gets no better for those with more severe conditions, just lots more waiting lists.

(Rant aimed firmly at the DH, front line NHS staff are amazing and working under immense pressure.)

Obsidion · 12/03/2018 20:21

It's very frustrating. I wanted a GP appointment for a minor injury but couldn't get one. The city I work in has a minor injury unit, so I went there. They said I need Physio and possibly a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon for a torn rotator cuff. But because I was from 'out of area' I had to go to see my GP. I only went there because I couldn't get an appointment with my own GP and it seems a bit OTT to go to local A&E. I'm hoping I get an appointment soon, as 4 weeks on I still can't lift my arm properly... I'm not in much pain though so it's all good.

MrsPatmore · 12/03/2018 20:31

If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can), then you could attend the walk in centre at your nearest private hospital? You'll be see straight away without a long wait and less pressure on the nhs- win, win. It shouldn't have to be like that but it is what it is.

HoarseMackerel · 12/03/2018 20:37

I had a 5 month ear infection and couldn't get appointment at my own surgery so kept having to go to WICs.
They ended up telling me not to keep coming as I probably needed to be referred.
It was so frustrating as when I did call, there were no appointments.
Also, it was taking me anything from 30 - 90 minutes when I was at work to get through to be told there were no appointments!
In the end, I got the walk in centre to phone my surgery to tell them I needed to see them, then a doctor called me to give me an appointment the next morning!
Turns out I only needed some slightly different antibiotics which worked straight away!
What a waste of time and money!

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 12/03/2018 20:48

Yep same situation in our part of the UK. You ring at 8 when they open along with 100s of others. That's the only way to get an appointment, you cannot book online or queue and our WIC was shut down last year.

On a side note please get it checked out I had similar, and as a result of not being able to get an appointment and me thinking it wasn't serious enough for A+E I now have irreparable damage to my lungs. Sad All because I couldn't get seen at the doctors and I thought a cough was not serious enough for the hospital.

I hope you feel better soon.

Lifeisabeach09 · 12/03/2018 21:40

Do the walk in, OP. You need your chest listened to.

Original poster
venetian25 · 12/03/2018 22:20

@HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone oh that doesn't sound good, you've got me worried now - that's it I'm off to WIC tomorrow!

OP posts:
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