Another one unable to access a GP!

[NonsensicalHair]

I know there's been other threads on this topic recently, so just venting! Am frustrated with latest attempt to get a GP appointment. Filled in on online form requesting an appointment (of course you can't make them over the phone these days, let alone in person). It's for a possible eye infection so really just needed a prescription for antibiotic eye drops that I've had before. Received a text back saying I need to go to an optician, please follow this link for a list of participating opticians. The link works, but the list of opticians is blank.

Phone the surgery and am told she (the receptionist) will try to contact the GP and ask for, I don't know, maybe the list to be given to me in a different way. Obviously I asked if it was at all possible to actually speak to someone, but no.

Anyway, off to ring some opticians to see if they deal with minor eye conditions service.

@ChloeCrocodile

This isn't a condition for a gp. Go to your opticians. This is why we have these systems as everyone assumes the must see a gp when 9 times out of 10 another health professional is better to deal with the problem

My GP sees people for eye infections (in non-covid times). Most people don't have an optician and would assume you have to pay for an appointment. If you fill in the NHS symptom checker with eye infection details it tells you to see you GP.

In short, it isn't the fault of the general public if they are turning up at a GP surgery when they have an infection.

Minor ailments should always use the community pharmacy as a first point of contact.
It is ridiculous to take a GPs time which can be better used on more serious issues for something that is minor and the medication bought over the counter

@Nanniss
I have just googled the minor eye conditions service you recommended. It is definitely not available in all areas, unfortunately. My nearest is over 125 miles away.

Umm I have "minor ailments" like this however as I have a major ailment my doctor needs to know about it so not everything can be dealt with by a "community pharmacist" whatever that is

This thread feels bizarre. The OP is expressing what most the population would think, yet many are making out it’s odd.
Of course low income people get free prescriptions, of course any bodily infection may warrant an NHS prescription.
Those saying get it over the counter, wouldn’t the pharmacist she saw have advised this once they saw the private prescription if she could?

I also googled that service, even in London my nearest place is 4.8 miles away. A good while on two busses here, hardly a local idea like the GP.
Tried my mums postcode and it’s 76 miles.

Write a note to your GP and ask for a prescription for it. If you've had it before you don't need it diagnosing.

@Mugsen - last time I asked if I could drop a note to the Gp the surgery said no, due to covid. It may have changed, but you can't go into the surgery and they don't answer the bell unless you have an appointment.

Yes I agree this thread is bizarre but yet does chime with that entirely normalised refrain of recent years: how very cheeky of you to expect to see a GP.

Next stage is you deteriorate, end up in Aand E where you are berated for not seeking help promptly from your GP.
Happy days.

I think more people should speak with a pharmacist before trying for a doctor's appointment. Many medicines can be bought over the counter for minor ailments (coughs, colds, conjunctivitis, ulcers etc)

Too many people are to quick to waste a GPs time for these kid of things, then moan because they cant get appointments.

If people thought first of alternative ways to sort the problem, GPS would have more time to deal with more urgent medical requirments

I had not realised you could go to the optician for an eye infection. (And though I do have a usual optician, that's unlike most of the population I'd hazard a guess..)
So thanks op! 👍Useful thread in any case.

@HalzTangz

I think more people should speak with a pharmacist before trying for a doctor's appointment. Many medicines can be bought over the counter for minor ailments (coughs, colds, conjunctivitis, ulcers etc)

Too many people are to quick to waste a GPs time for these kid of things, then moan because they cant get appointments.

If people thought first of alternative ways to sort the problem, GPS would have more time to deal with more urgent medical requirments

Couldn't agree more. Just because a GP can prescribe something it doesn't mean you need a prescription.

OP, have you tried just buying chloramphenicol antibiotic eye drops over the counter at the pharmacy? Is there a reason you can’t have them in particular?

They only cost a couple of pounds and it would have saved you so much time.

You can drop a letter through the letterbox. People do it all the time for repeat prescriptions. If they want to see you, they'll let you know. Just make sure it has your name, address and date of birth on the note. I put my phone number too.