To make another GP thread

[Shockedbutnotsurprised]

My thyroid is swollen. If I swallow I can see the entire outline of the gland. Not painful but I'm aware of it. Feels a little choky if I wear a scarf or car seat belt pushes my winter clothing onto my neck, of that makes sense.
I rang GP surgery today, feel it needs looking at.
I am grateful that I was able to get through (on hold for half an hour) and get a call from a doctor booked. I know it's a difficult time in the NHS.
But it's for 5 weeks' time!

We're really in a mess now, aren't we? Lack of doctors, lack of GPs. Medical practices having to take on far too many patients for not enough staff.
It's only getting worse.
I'm a fairly pragmatic sort, but it's quite a wait for something that WebMD tells me ought to be checked out fairly quickly.

Our GPs are not seeing anyone in person, from what I gather. Maybe emergencies. I'm not sure. Actively discouraged though.
We do an e-consult, wait for a day or so for the response and then we receive a text. If we have a question about the text, it's back to e- consult.

We cannot phone for an appointment.

Can you do an online econsult? You can go into quite some detail about the problem and it will be assessed. You might get a much quicker response if you do. I've done two or three and always had an appropriate response to the issue. Good luck.

It's mad, isn't it? It's why I made clear that I'm really grateful to get any kind of appointment at all. But it really does seem as though the system is being dismantled to force us to go privately.

I'm basically self-diagnosing and medicating now.

What is an e-consult? Is that like using the Livi app?

@cleofatra

I'm basically self-diagnosing and medicating now.

It's horrifying that we're being put in this position

@Shockedbutnotsurprised

What is an e-consult? Is that like using the Livi app?

I'm not sure what a Livi app is but its the online NHS service for consultations. Maybe not nationwide.

Yes it’s a mess. Our surgery will only book on the day appointments (with the exception of childhood vaccinations) and will only allow you to book a phone appointment that day if it’s an “acute medical emergency” (their words).
But there’s loads of things that require a GP without being at the level of an acute medical emergency, and for those things they just won’t book you an appointment, at any time.

Our surgery does not have any online options like e-consult either. So if it’s not an acute medical emergency, there’s nothing.

@Slowfoxfast

Can you do an online econsult? You can go into quite some detail about the problem and it will be assessed. You might get a much quicker response if you do. I've done two or three and always had an appropriate response to the issue. Good luck.

Thanks 😊

I've now called my GP. Three times about a rash on my body that just won't go, they keep saying next time we'll see you. Finally got prescribed antibiotics and they Better hope it works or I'll be on their doorstep. Not impressed at all with them.

E consults may be good but not if the response is a one sentence text

@SickAndTiredAgain exactly! The first thing the receptionist said was, we've got no appointments today.
Last time I saw a doctor was pre covid, and I went in because I couldn't get through on the phone, and as we hear so often, by the time I'd got through, no appointments left. At that time, you couldn't pre book an appointment, so a five week wait for a phone consultation is, I suppose, an improvement.
But it's not good, is it?

Totally agree that there are many conditions that are not urgent, exactly, but definitely important

I would say, many a time, people are not the best judge of "urgency". Especially the older generation who "don't want to be a bother".

You could be right @cleofatra
I was thinking along the lines of urgent: need to see today for an acute infection for example
Versus important: symptoms that could be a serious condition or illness (which I think mine could be, potentially)
And then you have women wanting to discuss day menopause and hrt
Or all those things that a person might want to discuss with a doctor that are niggles but not pressing.

*say, not day

I would think that needs seeing more urgently, what did you say when you rang? Did you stress the importance?

@SilverSandStorm

I would think that needs seeing more urgently, what did you say when you rang? Did you stress the importance?

I told the receptionist my symptoms. I kind of hoped she'd make the judgement call on how urgent it was. I may well look into an e-consultation now. Thank you;

I've found the best option is to pop in and speak to the receptionist. Each time they have booked me an appointment. I've also used e consult and been asked to pop in for blood tests with the nurse (same day) then when results received they called me and said they were prescribing x and to collect them from boots on the high street, took 3 days in total and only one in person consult (with nurse practitioner who in all honesty knows as much as the doctors, she's brilliant)

I've found the best option is to pop in and speak to the receptionist

I’d have to break in. The door is locked and is opened only after you knock on the window and confirm you have an appointment, then you wait outside and the doctor or nurse comes to get you when ready - this happened for DD’s flu nasal spray a few weeks ago.

You're lucky @gogohm we aren't allowed anywhere near the place without an appointment. It was my trick pre covid.
My friend's surgery is also a pharmacy so people can and do there.
Different everywhere, which makes matters more awkward

Try 111 - potentially could book you a GP appointment depending on the outcome of the assessment

A lot sooner than 5 weeks away I was meant to add to that 🤦🏻‍♀️

I suppose it would be worth seeing what they have to say, @whataballbag
I tend to think it's for emergency. I'm normally in good health, very fortunately, so I'm not really sure of the right thing to do!

111 isn't for an emergency. They can advise who you should see and when. Whether GP/A&E etc. They will book appts for you as needed. Definitely a good option!