To be absolutely fed up with GP surgery

[Feckfeckfeck123]

Dh rang GP surgery this morning for DS at 8am (we have to ring between 8 and 9am). He managed to get through at 8.15, which is a rarity, only to he told there are no appointments left. The -dragon- receptionist claimed even the emergency appointments they allocate for at the end of surgery had been taken. DH explained to her that DS in in alot of discomfort as it hurts him when he wees, I had a look last night the head of his willy also looks swollen. Receptionist told him dismissively there is nothing she can do and to ring the next day or take DS to A&E. I mean, fgs. Like our local A&E isn't already drowning with patients with non-serious, easily treatable ailments. And with a crawling, teething baby I really do not want to be sat there for 3 hours.

DS is 11 and being assessed for ASD. He told me he has been in pain for a few days but it didn't occur to him to tell me earlier, only when he couldn't take it anymore. He was in tears this morning. If it's a urine infection like I suspect I know how painful they can be.

What the hell do I do? I imagine tomorrow will be the same, DH was lucky to even get through at 8.15 as it's always so busy. I did ring later on myself and ask to speak to a doctor or nurse for advice. But apparentiy that is the same as an appointment. They are STILL doing phone consulations and only face to face if absolutely necessary. I thought most, if not all, medical staff had heen vaccinated by now so why haven't the guidelines changed.

I'm so pissed off right now, sorry for the rambling. I can't be the only one with such shit service from their GP surgery? Any advice appreciated.

Honestly don’t understand why it’s still over the phone. Could you go to a walk in centre?

Ring 111. I think most A+Es are run on appointments now due to covid 19.
You shouldn't have to of course and I know people in hospitals who say a+e and OOH are overrun with people who could've and should've seen a GP, but they know that GPs are being worse than useless under the guise of "pandemic prevention" so will be able to help.

Please take your DS to a&e, we know it is wrong but it is not fair on your lad. Then put a complaint into your surgery and name the receptionist. Hope he feels better soon.

Surely they should see a child with a poss urine infection? Your child is in pain. My gp has seen both my younger kids recently face to face and I have a face to face app tomorrow. You’ve tried op, phone 111 tell them you’ve tried gp they may try to get you in even via phone but try to get a urine sample meantime. Make sure he’s drinking plenty too, and if he can have painkillers give them as it can be v painful poor lad. Hope he’s seen and feeling better v soon

Can you ask to speak to the practice manager? I e done this a few times and an appointment has magically appeared...

See if your doctors surgery is registered with PushDoctor. Then you can get a same-day online appointment. My surgery is just the same but PushDoctor (look for it in the App Store) is fantastic.

Our local A&E still isn't very busy and he should be seen quickly in paeds. DS had this at 3 years and was quickly seen and needed circumcision, doctor said we did the right thing bringing him in as could see was in a great deal of pain.

Can your DH take him and you stay at home with the baby?

I would call 111 and see if you can either get a GP appointment or be seen at hospital (our hospital has a children's assessment & treatment dept that the gp or 111 can send you to).
I had exactly the same with my son , he is now on the urgent list for a circumcision .

Ring 111 for an out of hours appointment, or go to a&e. Unfortunately if the appointments are gone there's not much that can be done, it's not ideal needing to go to hospital with a baby but needs must. I wouldn't leave it until tomorrow, urine infections can be really nasty.

Thank you for the replies. I will try 111 and see if they can help. The nearest urgent care centre is always very busy too, I took DS2 in for an ear infection once and it was a 3-4 hour wait.

I have complained about the GP surgery numerous times to the Practice manager (picked up ds from school to take him to his app only to be told nothing booked, wrong medication being issued, an extremely rude receptionist) but nothing is ever done about it.

When I worked in a surgery (pre-covid) 111 would often phone us and say that a patient needs to be seen so I would try them. Also if you have a good pharmacist nearby you could explain the problem and they might have some sway at the surgery, this has worked for my neighbour's LO when she was ill.

Take him to a and e and then when it’s resolved make a formal complaint about the Gp practice. Your poor son

That sounds awful PP! Is there another local GP you could move to for future?

*OP not PP!

I'd take him to A&E- you don't want it escalating into a kidney infection.

I’m so sorry OP.

We’ve had the same poor luck since Covid became a blanket excuse for shit care. My DH now needs ankle surgery and has also been left without appropriate pain management for a long standing chronic pain issue. It got so bad I’ve needed to change surgeries and our new one is fantastic so far.

Take your DS to A&E or ring 111. I can’t imagine how much pain he must be in.

I know how frustrating it is not being able to see a GP but they're still closed for a reason. Not to protect themselves but to protect their patients - if a non-symptomatic person goes in they have the potential to infect a lot of people and that's a real risk for people who are elderly, have long term health problems or an underlying condition.

That being said your son should be seen by a medical professional. I would ring 111 and see what they advise and if necessary go to a walk-in centre or the ED. Can one of you or your husband take him to be seen and the other stay with your other child/ren?

If 111 say you need to see your GP, wait until your GP closes, then ring again. When I’ve done this in the past they’ve given me an out of hours appointment. It’s the only way I got my daughter seen last year - if I rang while my surgery was open they just told me to ring them, even though I couldn’t get an appointment.

I hear you. Had a similar experience this morning.

GPs have not come out of covid well

if a non-symptomatic person goes in they have the potential to infect a lot of people and that's a real risk for people who are elderly, have long term health problems or an underlying condition.

All groups who have been offered vaccination and in most cases have been offered both doses. Along with front line NHS workers like GP surgery staff

Give your DS lots of hot or warm water to drink and painkiller to help him before thd doctor can assess him. Do you have a pharmacy nearby? If so, they can recommend something short term

Id want him to be seen so yes, that would mean a&e andnI'd make sure they know that your GP receptionist told you to go there!

If you can't get anywhere with 111 and you can spare £40-50 (I know, not everyone can) then I would also suggest one of the private GP services.

If this is an ongoing issue, can you change GPs? That's really dreadful.

Spoken to a lovely lady on 111, now waiting for a call back. Hopefully if the referral is through 111 the waiting time at UC isn't as long, that's what she told me.

DH is at work now so I will have to take baby with me. I do have my DPs nearby to collect middle child from school so that's not an issue (but they're unwilling to keep the baby as he is currently a nightmare. I don't blame them!).

@KFleming yes I have heard of that happening. Talk about being sent from pillar to post. It's just so upsetting when it involves DC and seeing them in pain.

@LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag

“I know how frustrating it is not being able to see a GP but they're still closed for a reason. Not to protect themselves but to protect their patients - if a non-symptomatic person goes in they have the potential to infect a lot of people and that's a real risk for people who are elderly, have long term health problems or an underlying condition. “

This is exactly the same for walk in centres, urgent care centres and A&E accept they’re now under more pressure because of GP’s not seeing patients face to face🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️