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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Have I been a twat or should the GP surgery have given me an appointment?

267 replies

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:27

For context I am a single parent and I work full time so I may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with stress. I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable.

I have had swelling on my toe after falling. It swelled up really fast and has lessened since but the bruising is still bad. I asked for an appointment for the GP to review and I was told to go to a minor injuries unit as it might need an x ray. Minor injuries is 40 minute drive (we are remote) and will take almost an entire day to be seen. I can’t go in first thing as I need to drop DD at nursery (unless I wanted to take her with me which I don’t!).

I have asked them again for an appointment and asked for it to be escalated as I’m not happy with being told to go to minor injuries. I’m really exhausted and confused as to whether I’m in the right here?! From what I’ve read it’s usual to have a few signs looked at with the toe to decide if an x ray is needed and that this is something a GP could do.

OP posts:
Weeeeegoagain · 07/01/2026 08:30

The GP is correct, for injuries that need an xray then it's minor injuries. If they order an xray is can take weeks and there is a delay in care. They are not orthopaedic specialists but are trying to get you into the correct system / pathway of care to see people who can assess it properly.

Taweofterror · 07/01/2026 08:30

I think the GP was right personally. I wouldn't have even tried to get an appointment. Ultimately you can't see if it's broken just by looking at it so you need an x ray.

It's a shame it's such a faff for you to get to minor injuries but that doesn't mean it's the wrong place for you to go.

Parsleyforme · 07/01/2026 08:31

I think minor injuries would be the place to go as they are the ones who treat this type of injury and will decide whether an xray is needed, which is what you are trying to find out

YuleLogsAndEggNog · 07/01/2026 08:31

Minor injuries is the correct pathway .....you have an injury!!!

Littlecaf · 07/01/2026 08:31

Sorry, I think I’d go to minor injuries. The GP will probably look at it and say “yes it’s bruised, but I can’t tell if it’s broken so you’ll need an x Ray”. Some minor injuries give appointments - can you call them and find out?

Blueuggboots · 07/01/2026 08:32

What do you expect the GP to do? You’ve fallen and you’ve injured yourself. Perfectly acceptable to be told to go to minor injuries where they have x-ray facilities. YABU.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:32

So would a GP not be able to decide if it’s probably ok and no x ray needed?

I don’t know what to do now as I literally can’t take the time to go at the moment

OP posts:
MurkyMo · 07/01/2026 08:32

Which toe is it? I broke my little toe last year and didn't see anyone about it. They don't do much anyway except maybe strap it. to the adjacent toe for support. You could do that yourself. Although big toe might be more problematic. I'd go to the small injuries unit, a GP can't really do anything except say if it might be broken or not. They'd probably still just send you for an x-ray. Or not bother at all if just one of the little toes.

TheatricalLife · 07/01/2026 08:32

They can't do anything for a potentially broken toe at the GP. They'll look at it and tell you to go to get an x ray -exactly what they've already told you over the phone. You'd just be wasting your time (and theirs) further by insisting.

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 07/01/2026 08:32

It sounds like it needs an x-ray which the GP wouldn't be able to do, so an appointment would be a waste of both of your time - you would have to go to minor injuries or the hospital for the x-ray anyway.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:32

Littlecaf · 07/01/2026 08:31

Sorry, I think I’d go to minor injuries. The GP will probably look at it and say “yes it’s bruised, but I can’t tell if it’s broken so you’ll need an x Ray”. Some minor injuries give appointments - can you call them and find out?

@Littlecaf thanks I will call and ask

OP posts:
Deanefan · 07/01/2026 08:33

Sadly no GPs have xray vision. If the GP told you the toe might be broken but it just needed strapping up, rest and elevation how would you respond to that? If you would say ok fine then surely you can do those things anyway. Without the inconvenience of the trip to minor injuries. If you say no I’m far too busy I won’t do that then the xray might convince you of the need.

SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied · 07/01/2026 08:33

What do you think a GP could do about a bruised toe? If it is broken (and only an x-ray would confirm it, and that would mean hours of sitting in A&E), the usual "treatment" is to tape it to the next toe. You could do that yourself.

HoLeeFuk · 07/01/2026 08:33

Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:32

So would a GP not be able to decide if it’s probably ok and no x ray needed?

I don’t know what to do now as I literally can’t take the time to go at the moment

If it were me, I wouldn't do anything. I don't consider a bruised toe as needing medical attention.

Catza · 07/01/2026 08:34

You should go to minor injuries. Or... I didn't actually go anywhere at all with these symptoms. I broke my little toe two months ago, it was not misaligned and there is nothing they can do for toe fractures. The NHS advice is to seek medical help for broken big toe or if a broken toe looks misaligned.
Swelling went down after four days and I returned to exercise after two weeks.

Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2026 08:34

GP was right. If they thought it needed an X ray you’d have had to go anyway.

renthead · 07/01/2026 08:34

If it’s improving then I wouldn’t bother with the GP if minor injuries. What’s the point?

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:34

SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied · 07/01/2026 08:33

What do you think a GP could do about a bruised toe? If it is broken (and only an x-ray would confirm it, and that would mean hours of sitting in A&E), the usual "treatment" is to tape it to the next toe. You could do that yourself.

@SheSaidSheCouldButSheLied what do you tape it with?! Sorry I am clueless about these things I’ve been lucky it’s not happened before. Do you tape it to the other toe presumably? How tightly?!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 07/01/2026 08:34

Strap it To the next toe.

Anjin · 07/01/2026 08:34

Which toe is it? They won’t do anything unless it’s the big toe. If it’s the big toe, a GP would take a look but still say go to minor injuries for an X-ray. There’s not much the GP can do. If any other toes it’s a case of maybe strapping to the neighbour toe and wearing hard soled shoes (to discourage toe bending). If walking is painful you could use a stick (like a hiking one).

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:35

renthead · 07/01/2026 08:34

If it’s improving then I wouldn’t bother with the GP if minor injuries. What’s the point?

@renthead it is still painful but not any worse than before and no more swelling

OP posts:
PhyllisTwigg · 07/01/2026 08:35

Is there any treatment for a broken toe if it's not the big toe?

renthead · 07/01/2026 08:35

I meant I wouldn’t bother with the GP or minor injuries. If it’s improving, just monitor it.

Original poster
Isgreasl · 07/01/2026 08:35

Anjin · 07/01/2026 08:34

Which toe is it? They won’t do anything unless it’s the big toe. If it’s the big toe, a GP would take a look but still say go to minor injuries for an X-ray. There’s not much the GP can do. If any other toes it’s a case of maybe strapping to the neighbour toe and wearing hard soled shoes (to discourage toe bending). If walking is painful you could use a stick (like a hiking one).

@Anjin big toe

OP posts:
AphroditesSeashell · 07/01/2026 08:35

I wouldn't expect do anything for a hurt toe. With a simple broken toe, the minor injuries will likely just strap it to the next one and advise you to take paracetamol. Only if it's a terrible break or a dislocation would they be likely escalate to any other action.

If you aren't even sure it's broken, it's probably not broken - or certainly not to an extent that they would do much for you. So yes, YABU.