Doctor e-consult!

[Losingmymind2021]

Hi all, my local doctors are discouraging anyone from ringing unless they feel they really have to.

I have a non urgent issue but something that will need attention soon if that makes sense (think worrying symptom, convincing myself I have cancer type thing).

I put an e-consult in early Monday with a photo of said problem (thankfully easily photographed) and was told they would respond by Tuesday 6pm when they shut. I heard nothing and still haven’t today.

I am very aware that the nhs is under huge strain at the minute.

But I can’t help feel a little deflated. I don’t want to ring as I know they are busy. I have submitted a form linked from the initial confirmation email to say that I haven’t heard anything.

I’ll wait to the end of the day to see if hear anything and maybe ring tomorrow or submit again!

But I don’t want to feel like I’m pestering of wasting their time.

What would you do?

I have major anxiety about doctors and rarelyG go but I have health anxiety too!! So I’m driving myself mad thinking I’m going to drop dead of cancer (sorry ott I know but cannot relax at all).

That’s appalling, you really do need to consider if you should put in a complaint to the practice manager. Just because it’s an econsult doesn’t mean it should be treated any less seriously. There has been some sort of failure here and it could potentially be recorded as a significant event.

Thank you. I know they are under so much strain. I just wanted some reassurance 😭 especially as we are being discouraged from ringing unless we have to.

Just call them. You’ve tried the alternative with no success.

Thank you. Worst thing is I’ve completely stayed home to wait for a call (I gave my landline number as issues with mobile signal). I know we are in l lockdown but I haven’t been out for fresh air since Monday!

@Fatherbrownsbicycle

That’s appalling, you really do need to consider if you should put in a complaint to the practice manager. Just because it’s an econsult doesn’t mean it should be treated any less seriously. There has been some sort of failure here and it could potentially be recorded as a significant event.

Or it could just be a simple error. A phone call this afternoon might sort it all out. No need to escalate until/unless the practice fail to resolve the issue once the OP has given them a chance to do so.

E-consults aren't time specific- they have to be answered within 2 weeks. If concerned phone your surgery.

It could simply be a glitch with their systems. I'd call them first to see what is going on. I cant believe someone suggested escalating to the manager at this stage for a complaint!!!

If it relieves any anxiety they can't have considered the issue urgent or they would have already gotten back to you.

Call them. If your mobile number is on file, even if you gave the landline, they might have tried to call that.

Thanks all. It stated that a practitioner should contact me by the next working day at 6pm and if I didn’t hear anything I had to fill in a form on my email which I did and can do again tonight if I don’t hear.

I expect they are really. Only only surgery in the area due to living rurally.

I used the service a few months ago and attached a photo of my severe dermatitis and they got back the very next day. It’s not dermatitis this time though.

@NewYearNewOldMe possible yes but unlikely as I will still be notified of a call eventually but it doesn’t often ring if my signal is dropped out. Live in a bit of a blank spot for signal so it drops in and out! 😀 so it sometimes work, sometimes doesn’t! They have me email too!

Please call the surgery, there is a possibility that the e-consult has been lost in the system.

Please call them if you have cancer worries.

In August I had a 'very unusual event' that perplexed everyone. It wasn't investigated because of covid and even asked doctors why having covid was worse than dying of cancer. I was given the doctors sneer each of the 3 times I asked.

So, I was just glad it wasn't cancer and and every time I tried to get help for the symptoms I was told to stop worrying at least Noone thought it was cancer, so I ended up just feeling stupid.

Except, it is cancer. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I found out on Monday; I also found out I almost certainly won't make it to my sons birthday in March.

* [post edited by MNHQ]*

Am I missing something? You submitted a query on Monday, they aimed to get back to you by the end of Tuesday, you've chased them today, Wednesday and are wondering what to do next as its 15.40 and they've not replied? I appreciated its frustrating at you're worried, but you really do need to be patient and understand the situation the country is in. If the issue has got more urgent then of course ring the surgery, but if you can wait a few more days do so with good grace. I am sure they will get to you as soon as they can.

I work in a GP surgery and you're right OP, you should have a reply/call by the end of the next working day for an ailment or if it's an admin query, its 3 days. Occasionally, if a certain GP is dealing with your problem and they're not in for 2 days for example, you should get an email telling you when your request will be dealt with. It sounds like a glitch in the system and a simple phone call should rectify it

Why has my post been hidden immediately?

@Sycamoretrees I totally understand that they are under so much strain but it specified I would have a response by the next working day or sooner. Nothing in the small print to say it could take longer that’s all 😀

I just want to avoid speaking to the receptionists that all. I found they don’t even answer even before covid and a couple of them are rude.

E-consult was ideal I thought as I could attach photos or said problem! 😀

Does sound like it's possibly gone AWOL or maybe gp will phone by the end of today. I filled one in on Saturday night, my gp called 930 monday morning, though it did say it would be by 6PM Tuesday at the latest.

I'm mainly commenting to see why @MichaelMumsnet is old school smiling.

I'd chase them Losing, I've found the e-consult system runs brilliantly at our surgery but I expect the all implement it differently. Or go out for a walk, you're guaranteed to come home to a missed call!

Hi @BernardsarenotalwaysSaints
I dropped in to check the hidden posts from @WellFuckMeSIDD
I've removed my comment because the discussion has moved on.

Thanks all. This post now seems pointless as they’ve just rang me in the last 5 minutes and I spoke to a lovely doctor. If issue does not resolve within a couple weeks I’ll be booked in to see a doctor in person. Thanks all!

Really glad they called, and gave you some reassurance. Hope it resolves it's self quickly.

Thank you and me too. I have something new on my toe and I’m not sure if it’s a blood blister or a new mole. Doesn’t really look like either but I’m very fair so sorry about skin cancer! Doctor said he couldn’t tell by photo either but if it hasn’t gone in a couple weeks to go and have it looked at in person. Hoping it’s just a very flat blood blister!

Worry not sorry *