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

[Isgreasl]

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.

GPs aren’t orthopaedic surgeons and neither have X-ray vision. URBU to expect anyone to know whether you have broken a bone without an X-ray. If it is that much of a problem go to A&E. If it’s not, stop wasting a GPs time complaining that they can’t guess what’s going on without an investigation

It’s little known that GPs are self employed businesses. They have a contract with the government to provide certain care. As I understand it, injuries like breaks or post op wounds are not typically in that standard contract. So it would be like getting in a plumber to fit a toilet and then asking him to sort the electrics for free.

No, he's not Jesus Christ nor does he have X-Ray vision. You need to attend Minor injuries as it's an injury. It's not uncommon for people to break toes several times over a lifetime so even if it is broken, there is likely not much that be done about it.

Never the less, people being directed to the correct primary care service for the issue seems helpful so as not to book up the incorrect service ,surely?

There isn't much that can be done, though. My 85 year old DH recently presented with a swollen right foot and complained of pain (didn't stop him getting about though, but it clearly troubled him at times.)

Our very good GP had a look at it and asked questions and concluded the likeliest thing was an injury, rather than a blood clot etc, and referred us to a local hospital. DH was seen within a week, the X-Ray came back showing a broken middle toe, and the treatment...? Rest, use a stick, keep weight off as much as possible, etc and it will get better in its own time - which it did.

If it had been me, I wouldn't have even bothered going to the GP, but DH is in my care and deserves the best (! as it were) but it was MORE hassle getting him down to GP and then to the hospital, so I wish I'd stuck with my first instinct - to Wait and See.

I would wait and see if it goes down. Give yourself a footpath in some salt water each evening. If it does job done. If it does not off to minor injuries. If it is absolutely mega painful now, off to minor injuries now.

Wounds like post op or chronic wounds can be seen under GP contract (depending on if that surgery has signed up to that part of the contract) acute injuries are not

My husband went to the local walk in clinic for possible wrist fracture. It took an hour all told - in that time he was x rayed and had a cast put on.
It's what they're there for, although you seem to be improving so may not be needing them now.

X-rays are typically needed only if the injured 2nd to 5th (little) toe is visibly dislocated, otherwise it's buddy strapping, ice packs, and over the counter pain relief as swelling and bruising is expected to increase the first few days after an injury and can take a few weeks to settle

www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-toe/

How can a GP decide that without an X-ray?

Even if an x-ray shows that your toe is broken, all they will do is strap it to the next one and tell you to take paracentamol. Save yourself the trouble and strap it up yourself.

Heard the little bone in my 2nd toe snap a few years ago and the toe went at a weird angle. I moved it into the correct position and left it and it healed fine. I couldn't walk very well on it for a few days, that was all.

I didn't think that anyone would be able to do anything that I couldn't do myself and would not have worried unless the pain increased, swelling didn't go down or it became angry-looking.

Is this for real? What on earth do you expect the GP to do? You have had a minor injury so if you want it checked you go to the minor injuries unit. Your logic seems to be that you only have time to go to the GP so the GP should give you an appointment. Ridiculous.

You have two options:

Strap it up sensibly, try to keep your weight off it and get on with life.

Go to minor injuries and get it xrayed.

You might get lucky and its a sprain or something that will get better with rest. You might not, it might be a serious tendon tear or slightly displaced fracture and could end up with a toe that causes you pain for the rest of your life.

Up to you, it's your toe.

If it’s your big toe then definitely get it checked as if it’s broken and heals wrong it can affect your mobility. Other toes can probably deal with at home unless it’s causing concerns. I do agree you need an x ray and a GP appointment would be a waste of time. The problem is that the only way to get a n X-ray in your area is to wait hours at minor injuries but if that’s the only way you have no choice.

We are very lucky in my area that GPs can refer you directly to a walk in X-ray department at the hospital which has practically no queue. I was referred there recently - walked straight over to the hospital from the GP and it only took 15 minutes from when I walked in the door.

Yabu ,what is gp going to do without a x-ray .
He can't see inside your toe .
Tbh if it's improved id just leave it anyway and manage with pain relief .

111 will book you straight into an appointments for non urgent x-rays usually within the hour at the nearest walk in center or medical imaging department... its literally what you are SUPPOSE to do.

111 exists to ease the stress on A&E by diverting cases that can bypass A&E which is mainly for life and death emergencies but has become people go to for every little thing.

What did you think 111 is for?

Your feet are important. If its broken and doesnt mend correctly then that could give you ongoing ptoblems (experience talking here).

I ignored a possible broken toe about 18 years ago and regret it regularly now!

They constantly pass people over to hospital in situations like these.
I honestly don't know what GPs do all day.

Go at the weekend and get there 10 mins before it opens. The minor injuries mear me stopped allowing anyone else in after 11am because they were so busy.

She clearly hasn't got a bad break if she's getting around ok, I'd imagine she'd be in agony and unable to walk of the bone was broken out of position.

Ring 111 and explain the situation and see i they can help with an appointment.

I can imagine my GPs response to this...

"Do you think I have sodding x-ray vision, now bugger off.".

They can’t X-ray at the GP so go to minor injuries and they will see you all in one go.