UTI and no doctor's appointments

[DuckDuckDiva]

AIBU to think I can't wait much longer? I've been trying since last week to get a GP appointment for a UTI and every time I get through too late and all the appointments are gone. This is always after being on hold for 30 mins plus. I even went in to the surgery after dropping my son at nursery and they had no appointments left at 8:30. It was an extra 30 minute drive (I live rurally). Is there any other way I can get treatment for a UTI?

If you’ve got about £20 you can go to Lloyds private GP - an online GP - set out your symptoms and they’ll issue a prescription direct to your nearest Lloyds pharmacy. Think lots of other pharmacies have a similar system. Annoying that you have to pay but super easy and quick.

I genuinely don't have £20 spare for a prescription. I'm on universal credit and struggling a lot.

I might get shouted at by other posters for this but you could go to A&E.

I’ve only had a UTI once in my life and the pain was hideous. I tried and tried to get a doctor’s appointment but got nowhere. It got to the stage where I was sweating with the pain, I was dizzy and nauseous and knew I was potentially going to be very ill so I went to A&E. They did a urine test, and quickly prescribed my medication which I started immediately - I felt SO much better by the following morning!

Pharmacies can prescribe for a UTI, I’ve been given antibiotics in Sainsburys pharmacy before

I think it's different going when you're extremely unwell with it and at risk of a kidney infection. I definitely wouldn't go to a&e at this point as it isn't an accident or an emergency.

Boots offers a service as well but not sure of cost

A&E / Urgent Treatment Centre / 111

I've phoned 111 previously as I couldn't get an appointment for a UTI. They referred me to the Urgent Treatment Centre next to our A&E. The staff there were great, a nurse took a urine sample and gave me antibiotic prescription all within 15 minutes. No one made me feel like I was wasting time and actually I know from my own experience of how bad it can get if you leave a UTI untreated (I ended up admitted into hospital 8 years ago as I kept ignoring the UTI)

Best of luck OP. Get well soon.

What are you looking for OP? You've asked where you can get treatment but say you can't afford it but you won't go to A&E? What other option do you think there is?

Some pharmacists. Can prescribe antibiotics for a UTI. Op. Call your nearest and ask if they can do so and the cost. Mine is just. A regular prescription payment

Have you tried 111? Hopefully they can help you

I’d ring 111. Does your Gp release afternoon appointments?

Have you called 111? I tried the online symptom checker just now and clocked 'I can't contact a GP', it advised to ring 111.

Also help here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/#:~:text=Ask%20for%20an%20urgent%20GP,very%20low%20temperature%20below%2036C

Well someone has kindly suggested a pharmacy which I haven't tried yet, so, that.

Phone your local pharmacies. Some pharmacists can prescribe it for you.

Ring 111.

I had a UTI on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago and my GP receptionist refused to offer me an appointment, so I rang 111 who contacted them and I got an appointment that afternoon.

I can’t go to Lloyds chemist or Boots because I’m allergic to the antibiotic that they give. It’s a disgrace that you can’t get this sorted. They don’t necessarily have to see you, you could drop a sample in and they could do a telephone appointment.

So sorry, OP. UTIs are the pits.

Just to check - did you have a chance to tell your surgery why you were calling? With ours if you tell them you suspect a UTI you can just turn up, take a urine sample pot from reception, drop it back and they'll do a simple test that day to get you antibiotics. No need for an appointment.

Failing that, is your GP surgery signed up to the Livi app? If they are then you should be able to get a video appointment at no charge, but do check carefully.

Otherwise, any walk-in or centres nearby?

Hope you're feeling better soon.

I would call 111 and explain that you can't get in with the GP, they should be able to sort something for you. If cost allows I also recommend getting some d-mannose (Holland & Barrett or online from Sweet Cures), it's miracle stuff for UTI's.

111 it's likely they will prescribe over the phone.

You definitely can get antibiotics for a UTI at the pharmacy if they have a pharmacist on site that can prescribe. I've done this before when I couldn't get to the Dr. Also keep some of the cystitis sachets handy for when you feel symptoms again. You can get supermarket own brand or Boots ones are good. Keep a supply of Cranberry juice as a preventative and ensure you are drinking plenty of water. Hope you get it sorted and feel better 😊

A UTI should warrant an emergency appointment at your GP. I would ring and insist. Or could you do an online consultation? Or try 111 after hours? You shouldn’t really leave a UTI because it can cause serious problems if it gets worse.

111 put me in contact with a local pharmacist that could prescribe. Most can for utis now. Hope you feel better soon.

Have you told the surgery what the problem is, ours will prescribe without needing an appointment, though you do need to drop a sample off

Have you told the gp reception it's a suspected UTI? At mine they ask you to collect a urine sample pot, drop it in for a nurse to test and then text you to say pick up antibiotics at pharmacy or if it's clear.

My gp also do online consultation for this, complete a symptoms form on their website and within 24 hrs they will text or call with appointment or prescription or no treatment needed notice.

Failing those, call 111 to arrange an appointment somewhere. Our treatment centre is the next town away and about £6 return on bus so be prepared for transport costs to an out of area gp.

I hope you're feeling better soon

I never see a GP for that. I used to get a lot of them. I drop my urine sample in at reception for the nurse to send off and be tested and the nurse arranges antibiotics for me.

All they really need to do is test a sample and prescribe antibiotics, my surgery will evrn let reception staff test and pass results to GPS, they shouldn't be leaving you to suffer, it could spread to your kidneys if left untreated.
I'm a long time sufferer of utis, and you have my sympathy.