I have an issue that is causing me a lot of pain. I know what it is and I know what the treatment is. I've tried all the self management techniques, but I'm still in significant pain and it's been affecting sleep for 3 months now.
I know it's not serious or urgent but it is having significant impact on my quality of life.
I hardly ever use the NHS (touch wood) and being a responsible citizen, checked my GP's website and used their e-consult form to send all the details of what's happened to date, and ask for help.
They text back with an appointment at their "sister surgery" in the evening a few days later. I didn't ask for or want an urgent or out of hours appointment, that's what I was given. TBH I assumed it was extended hours rather than OOH iyswim.
I've been tonight to be told that the doctor (?) doesn't think it can be treated on the NHS but that I should see my GP to check.
So a complete waste of everyone's time and money, when they had all the information he's asked for tonight already. And now I have to start again and try and get a GP appointment, which is what I thought I'd already done.
I know it will be process etc, but what a wasteful process. The cynic in me thinks it might be a way of manipulating figures to show people get appointments within so many days, even if theyre no appropriate appointments.
What does an unnecessary and pointless OOH appointment cost the NHS?