Doctors don't understand how difficult it is for me to see them.

[YourSparklyLimeTraybake]

I work in leadership in a school. My direct boss is off sick long term and I am acting up. The next person in the line of succession is also not well and in and out sporadically. There isn't anyone else that can step in to cover, even if it's just for a short period of time. My school is very challenging.

I am incredibly stressed, working 7am til 7pm most days just to keep afloat. They don't take online bookings unless you're a Uni student, I am on duty at break and lunchtime, so can't call during the day.

I need a blood test and it's overdue. They now won't prescribe one of my medications until I get tested and then a separate appointment to be reviewed. I've tried to arrange both three times, and each time something has happened so I can't go, which means the second review appointment gets cancelled too, then I have to try to figure out how to find time to make the appointments again.

I don't know what else I can do and now I've run out of medication.

No job is more important than your health! Even surgeons get time for medical appointments so this is a failure of leadership.

What’s more important than your health?

I used to be a teacher. I know it’s hell. But letting GP down 3 times is crap. Go before anything kicks off, or book it in morning.

With the best respect. They can cope without you. You don’t sound well. Which is understandable working in teaching.

@kornwall the actual Head off long term is the DSL, I'm the DDSL, so obviously stepping up. The next in line is stepping up as DDSL but was away those three times.

That's a good idea about a buddy head. We're not near other schools, but can think of someone who could be phoned if needed. Thank you.

Private laboratories are avalable evenings and weekends. You will have to pay but as long as you know exactly what blood test you need you can get it done.
My gp surgery has a saturday morning session. If yours doesn't, you can email the blood test result to your gp.
Having said that, I agree with pp, book your appointments early in the morning, give notice to your employer and attend. You have as much right to look after your health as the people you are covering for.
What happens if you get ill as a result of not having your meds?

Headship is a very lonely place particularly in a challenging situation and where you are acting up so already have a depleted SLT. I would prioritise getting another DDSL trained asap as safeguarding is something that can quickly take over the day (as i am sure you well know). A head buddy is absolutely invaluable as they really are the only one's who get it, very useful for a rant or just to let off steam to someone as well!

What are you hoping the doctors to do??
You've cancelled 3 times!??
In the end you have to prioritise you sometimes. This is one of those times. School will have to manage. You have to make an appointment and go. You’ve run out of medication because you didn't prioritise it.

And if it's blood pressure meds, please make sure you get them as the end of term is stressful enough without being off meds!

GPs seem to have no concept of people having to work for a living. They offer a phone appointment with no time specified - they can't even specify morning or afternoon.

The OP needs a blood test and not a phone appointment but the OP keeps cancelling the appointment.

Have you checked if your medication can be bought online?

I do sympathise.

You either have to wait for the holidays or see a private GP. I am sure you could find one close to your school that you could pop out to at lunchtime.

You need to prioritise yourself and your health is your responsibility. Make an appointment and keep it, no matter what comes up with work.

Have you checked to see if any Phlebotomy/Haematology departments are open at the weekend? The Urgent Care one in my town has theirs open for a few hours and so does the nearest hospital. I should imagine this is fairly common everywhere .
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The thing is, if it is a medication that requires blood monitoring, it could be dangerous to buy medication without the necessary blood test. Equally as risky as not taking the meds. OP should at least get the blood done. The rest can be done online.

It sounds very stressful but what do you think the Dr's should do in this situation?

Just email all the parents and tell them school must close for the day. Unfortunately this is the world we live in now with schools and the NHS both so underfunded.

Or pay for a private test/appointment?

You're the only member of slt on site? Are the only safeguarding person too?

stop being a martyr and just go.

It’s your health you just have to go

you are putting other things ahead of you and that’s daft

carry on like this, have a complete breakdown and then where will you and everyone who relies on you be?

Are you in a union? If it's affecting your ability to get medication for a long term disability they should make adjustments under the Equality Act. This wouldn't normally be an issue as most workplaces have procedures in place for attending medical appointments, but as yours seems to have totally failed...

If the DDSL is in sporadically then you need another one or someone in an equivalent position, it makes sense anyway to have multiple people who can deal with safeguarding issues. What if you got hit by a car? Or (more likely at a school in winter) got norovirus? It's imperative that the school (which might mean you as you're acting up) address the fact that you're a single point of (potential) failure.

I would also think deeply about whether you get any deep down satisfaction from feeling so indispensable - it's very common in 'giving' professions for people to martyr themselves and even as they suffer, still get a boost to self esteem from being needed. Education Support is another free helpline you could consider.

GP expects that people understand that they too are working , that the demand for their services is greater than they can provide

Honestly if you can’t get the time off you need to just sneak out of the school for an hour or so. Tell people you got stuck in the bathroom if they ask where you were.

genuinely what do you think is the solution to this?

The next person in the line of succession is also not well and in and out sporadically.

If they can do this so can you

There isn't anyone else that can step in to cover

There is. They might do a shit job but they will manage just like they'll manage if you're hit by a bus tomorrow.

I am on duty at break and lunchtime, so can't call during the day.

You tell (don't ask, tell) whoever is around that you need a break to pee & you call on route to the bathroom. The head will need to cover if necessary.

I'm sorry for you as it can be hard to recognise it in the moment but you are making choices.

You are replaceable OP. If your health was to fail, work would carry on without you. So, what do you do? You put yourself first when it comes to health. Always.