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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To visit a walk in centre for this?

28 replies

Coughcough123 · 18/05/2018 22:42

I've had a cough for around 6 weeks now, I don't have any other symptoms but thought it would be a good idea to get checked out.

I'm struggling to get a doctors appointment, would I be ok to visit an NHS walk in centre or are these designed for people requiring more urgent attention?

OP posts:
Tinycitrus · 18/05/2018 22:43

Phone 111 and find out?

debka · 18/05/2018 22:43

Don't go to a walk in centre for a cough. They won't thank you. You need to see your GP.

Wondermoomin · 18/05/2018 22:45

YWBU to go to a walk in centre for this. That's not what they're for. Make a GP appointment, however much of a 'struggle' that might be.

Icantstopeatinglol · 18/05/2018 22:47

What is the issue with getting an appt? Would it be possible to change drs if yours are bad to get appts with?

Original poster
Coughcough123 · 18/05/2018 22:48

It's a two week wait for a doctors appointment and I'm worried that this could be a sign of something more serious.

OP posts:
PuppetOnAString · 18/05/2018 22:48

No, see the GP.

Tiddler7 · 18/05/2018 22:50

I did, as my next available appointment with any GP at my practice was in 5 weeks time. The doctor said it's been way too long, and it's a good thing I had it checked. She also said they do x ray after 3 weeks of cough, I had mine for 3 mths.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 18/05/2018 22:53

Is your cough productive
Is there a pattern to the coughing
6wk cough any triggers?new environment?
I’d say GP appt, but I can appreciate you're worried

IAmMatty · 18/05/2018 22:54

I'd phone and ask for a phone consultation with the GP; they'll be able to advise on whether you should be seen more urgently or if a routine appointment would be ok, I think.

DrScully · 18/05/2018 22:55

If it’s 6 weeks, could it be hay fever?

Shutouttherain · 18/05/2018 22:57

I can always get a call back on the day I ring up. If they feel like they need to see you then an emergency appointment can be made.

2 weeks wait isn’t even that long. I had to wait 4 for my last non emergency one.

CocoaGin · 18/05/2018 22:58

If it hasn't bothered you enough to book an appointment over the last 6 weeks, it doesn't need treating on a Friday night. Walk ins are literally "instant" treatment, not for diagnosing long term conditions/illnesses. You really do need to see your GP.

Glumglowworm · 18/05/2018 22:59

Yes it’s a good idea to get it checked. But it should be via a GP appointment.

Jonbb · 18/05/2018 23:00

. . . and they wonder why people go to a & e. Can't get a gp appointment so what are people supposed to do?

NWQM · 18/05/2018 23:02

Our local WiC's are fab so the following comments are in no way to 'do them down' but they are established for a specific range minor illnesses and injuries. You can check out the list here www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/Walk-incentresSummary.aspx. You'll see that coughs or indeed respiratory illnesses aren't on there. They simply aren't equipped / trained for them. I totally know that getting a GP appointment can be tricky. What's the out of hours GP service like in your area? Ours is actually fab and I'm guilty of waiting till after 5 and ringing them. For the kids I've usually had an appointment within and 1 hour and half and for me 3 hours. You don't get to see your own GP but I don't go to the doctors for myself very often and never see the same person anyway. Please get it checked out. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Original poster
Coughcough123 · 18/05/2018 23:06

Thanks everyone, I won't go the walk in centre, I know the nhs is overstretched and don't want to misuse their resources.

I've left it for so long because I'm very worried about what people think of me. On one hand I think it's only a cough and I shouldn't be wasting a GPs time and on the other hand I'm worried it's a sign of something more serious.

I'm in my late 20s and not a smoker, I've never had hay fever so don't think it's that. I'll give the doctors a call on Monday and see what they say

OP posts:
Icantstopeatinglol · 18/05/2018 23:20

I would ring the drs again on Monday and tell them you’re concerned that it could be something serious and you’ve been trying to get an appt with no luck. That might make them squeeze you in. Hope you get checked asap.

category12 · 18/05/2018 23:21

If it's gone on as long as you say a two week wait for an appointment is hardly going to make a difference.

GabsAlot · 18/05/2018 23:22

just wait for the gp appt-are you coughing up anything

neveradullmoment99 · 18/05/2018 23:22

Phone early. They may give you a cancellation or an emergency appointment.

crunchymint · 18/05/2018 23:24

At your age and as a non smoker, it is extremely unlikely to be serious. More likely to be hayfever or mild asthma. Unless it is productive in which case a chest infection.
If you were 60 and a lifelong heavy smoker, would be different.

crunchymint · 18/05/2018 23:25

Persistent cough: Major causes
Common causes of a nagging cough

Postnasal drip

Asthma

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Chronic bronchitis; bronchiectasis

Treatment with ACE inhibitors

Pressuredrip · 18/05/2018 23:26

Can you describe the cough? Could be whooping cough. If you've had the vaccine the symptoms are often very mild, and only half of people get the whoop noice.

Pressuredrip · 18/05/2018 23:26

Could also be adult onset asthma.
Most doctors have a 2 week wait for a prebooked appointment but you call at 8-8:30 for a dame day appointment. Is that not the case?

Turnitupdrhill · 18/05/2018 23:28

Phone 111 and find out?

No, 111 is for urgent medical issues.

You've made the right decision to go to the GP OP, and you won't be misusing resources.