Can’t get a GP appointment

[skinwoes]

Posted about this before- unfortunately I’m no further forward but genuinely don’t know what to do in this situation. I feel like I’m completely caught in the middle!

ive had a skin infection for around 3 months. I can’t sleep lying down at night because of it. Its hot, it throbs, leaks clear and yellow liquid and is a sticky mess. The skin is completely raw and open and the doctor said it’s very clearly infected. I’ve had lots of different treatments so far -creams, tablets and washes. Mainly either antibiotic or anti fungal. NOTHING is taking it away. It’s an absolutely disgusting mess and nothing is helping it. it’s been confined to the immediate area and is only spreading within that immediate area and is about 2 inches or so in size right now

my problem now is that it’s STILL not gone away and I can’t bloody get an appointment. I’ve been calling everyday and it’s always the same- position 80+ at 8.30am then all the appointments are gone. There’s no econsult, no ask my gp, no patient access. You can’t even walk in and book an appointment- that stopped in Covid and now it must be in the phone queue. You also can’t change gp practice either apparently as our health board doesn’t allow you to move practice unless you get booted out or you move area!

I tried the pharmacy- the pharmacist recoiled when she saw it and said she can’t help and it needs a doctor

I don’t know why this is happening as I’ve had blood tests just after hogmanay and my immune system is fine, so I don’t understand why I’ve had this infection for so long!

I really can’t afford to go private either unfortunately so it needs to be nhs

nhs24 can’t help because it’s an ongoing thing and not the type of thing that can’t wait, and it’s obviously not bad enough to warrant a&e as I’m not systematically unwell with it

obviously the solution is to keep trying everyday with the GP but I’m so frustrated. I’m in so much pain and discomfort and I feel like I can’t get help for it. I was told it’s not likely I’d get sepsis or systemically unwell since I’ve had it for 3 months now and that hasn’t happened in that time thankfully, but I just bloody want this gone once and for good and I don’t know what to do. Yet another night with me unable to sleep because sitting upright is uncomfortable but lying on it is horrific😞 I know GOs are simply so busy right now and I’m not blaming them at all, I’m just so fed up with it all 😣

Honestly I would try and see if you could get a private appointment with a dermatologist? (Obviously finance depending) if you eventually see Gp appt see if you can be referred to a dermatologist

If you've already seen a gp and had antibiotic tablets then I don't think a gp is likely to be able to help now. (Well, they could help by referring directly to the surgical assessment unit which would save you an A and E wait).

Minor injuries or A and E would be quickest and best. The longer you leave it the bigger a scar you'd end up with if it is a bad infection /partially treated abscess ...

How far away is the nearest Minor Injuries Unit? Is there any way you can get there today? Don't worry that you don't live in it's catchment area, it's your nearest one and you have to go there because it's the nearest. They will still treat you, you are an NHS Scotland patient and it's an NHS Scotland facility.

Given that you've been suffering for months and your situation is urgent this seems your best option for immediate help. You can go through the complaints procedure later when you've been treated.

Call 111

I second emailing the practice manager and include a photo. They can’t ignore something like that.

Very frustrating.
I have an infected cyst atm so feel your pain.
Can you go to a minor injuries unit or even A&E?
Its not good enough.
Alternatively go to GPs practice just before they open so are in queue in person to make an appointment- maybe that would work? Good luck

Email you GP practice, with current photo and advise them of what creams you've used previousily and request dermaloglist referal.

Good luck

Yes I’m in Scotland. It must be area specific because we are NOT allowed to change practice here. I tried to register at a new practice and I explained I can’t access my current practice or get an appointment but there’s no exceptions. Possibly different in other health boards but it’s not allowed here since Covid and just hasn’t gone back to normal.

for people saying I’m letting myself be fobbed off- I’m not, I can’t make them give me an appointment! I’ve been down in the morning and similar to another poster was told appointments can ONLY be made online. It’s only same day appointments even for the nurse too and there’s no econsult. I called again this morning- couldn’t get an appointment and asked if I could email photos in even if they couldn’t see me and they said no that’s not possible it needs to be seen in real life. But then they also can’t give me an appointment! The receptionist said he could request the doctor writes a press for the same antibiotic I had last time but it didn’t change it so I said what’s the point and he said I need to try again tomorrow.

I appreciate why people are saying a&e but it’s definitely not an a&e job yet and I would get turned away for it- I don’t have any other symptoms and the infection is superficial. It’s in an area where the skin is extremely thin and i think it’s just bone underneath it so there’s no muscles or other issue for it to spread to (unless it spreads further across my skin in which case I would obviously go to a&e but its not done that so far).

Thanks for all the advice. I’m going to investigate a private GP and see if I can find something affordable. I’m so bloody fed up of it all

I’d go to an urgent treatment centre or minor injuries today. And also email practice manager and write to my MP

OP - you’re not an overweight woman of a certain age, are you? Is the problem on your legs? I had a wound that refused to clear up last year - turned out I am type 2 diabetic. Once they’d worked that out, it got treated and sorted, even if not over weight, is there a history of type 2 in the family?

No I’m not overweight and I’m definitely not diabetic (I had a blood test recently where they checked everything) and there’s no diabetes in the family but thank you very much for the suggestion I appreciate your advice. Glad you managed to get yours sorted! x

Yeah I’m definitely going to contact the practice manager and write to my MP and ask why we can’t change GPs. Bloody impossible situation

Is one big wound or multiple little ones?

You don’t need to go to a&e, attend the minor injuries clinic instead as this is the sort of thing they deal with (see my link above)

Minor injuries only do things that have happened in the last 2 weeks.

Phone the GP and insist it is urgent for the same day. Don't take no for an answer, they should be able to triage to duty doctor.

Good luck x

Can you download and use the NHS app? (I don't know if it is the same in Scotland) You also have to register so need your NHS number.
If you can, be aware that it is not organised particularly well, as you are presented with each question on a separate screens, so it is useful to know the questions in advance and prepare what you are going to enter.

These are the initial questions;

Please tell us in a few words how we can help.

Have you tried anything for this?

Please tell us what you have tried.

Is there any particular help you would like?

Please tell us what help you would like.

Would you like help from a particular person at the surgery? If the person that you requested is not available, another member of the team at the practice will contact you.

There are more questions but they are based on what you have already put.

Hi OP have you heard of Care Opinion?

I posted my own issues on there and they were very helpful, it could be worth a try?

www.careopinion.org.uk/

Hope you get the help you need soon x

I appreciate why people are saying a&e but it’s definitely not an a&e job yet and I would get turned away for it- I don’t have any other symptoms and the infection is superficial

no you wouldn't. Go today. Tell them what you've told us and they will treat you.

They 100% will. They don't turn people away.

This. PLEASE do this.

You have been too passive with the GP.

They are NOT a charity. They receive ££££ per patient they have on their books. They are legally required to let you see a doctor.

My private GP is £60 a consultation. Not ideal I know but if you're getting nowhere....

Any update OP?

That is exactly half the price of the private GPs in my area!

Fortunately I have access via my private health insurance, although I've not needed to use it.

I don't have a fundamental objection to having to pay a small amount to see a GP.

But I do object to the fact that some people get appointments the same day or the same week (even if just a phone call) and others get told they just can't see or speak to anyone at all, or for weeks. People say well what do you expect them to do - I expect them to have an appointments system that caters for same day, semi-urgent and routine. And all should operate an e-consult/online consultation system. And if there is no urgent care centre nearby, they should all have to operate a half day surgery each week where you can turn up and be seen, even if you have to wait for a few hours.

@skinwoes HCP here. Is it like one area, as in a pressure sore, or an all over area? Would you be willing to post photos on here? Not to be diagnosed obviously but just so we can get a better idea of what is happening.