To think it shouldn’t be this hard to get antibiotics?

[NameChanger2027]

the area around my toenail is painful red and swollen since last week . I can only wear flipflops. i called gp - receptionist advised no appointments available for this. Go to a pharmacist who can help or A&E if it gets worse.

Friday - went to a pharmacist - they said it’s infected, you need antibiotics - call 111

Friday afternoon - 11 nurse called back, said a doctor will call me within 24 hours and likely give me a prescription over the phone

Saturday afternoon - doctor called but I was in shower. Left a voicemail saying if I still need a doctor call 111

called 111 again - only way is the start again with a new assessment. nurse called be back and now waiting for another doc to call me.

i now have a private online gp appointment booked for 7am tomorrow, hoping they can help.

so I’ve spoken to at least 6 people so far - surely it shouldn't take this many resources to get a simple, obvious prescription?

im going on holiday tomorrow afternoon so really wanted the antibiotics in by now.

You missed the call from the GP though that was obviously not intentional but they were going to assess you.

I know I’m so frustrated about that. I’ve had my phone by my side the whole time except that one shower. I jumped out of the shower but they only let it ring for a few seconds.

The pharmacy thing was supposed to make all of this much easier, I've found it just gives you another person to argue with and then you end up having to use A & E anyway! Just seems to be poorly resourced and nobody has a clear pathway of what they are actually supposed to be doing. Example... I ordered my contraception from GP, usual repeat prescription, nothing changed, GP says pharmacy have now taken over issuing, pharmacy say no they haven't, need to get GP to issue, GP say pharmacy talking rubbish, go back and tell them to issue. Pharmacy tell me they can't, go to different pharmacy. Different pharmacy say I'm not their customer, go back to GP. Go back to GP, no they're not issuing it, the pharmacy have to do it ... Round and round in circles for 5 weeks... Thankfully I'm 54 and realised that I don't need to take them anymore. Good luck to anyone actually needing this service!!!!!

I’m my area honestly the only guaranteed way to see someone who can actually do is to go to A&E - then everyone wonders why there is a 12 hour wait! I’m sorry I have two young kids and lots to do - I’m not waiting in A&E during a heatwave for an infected toenail! However as soon as I tell 111 it’s got a bit worse I know they will send me to A&E!

You could have used your GPs online services to send a photo of the affected area. Then again, the receptionist could also have text you a link to allow you to do it.
Do you not have a nurse led minor injuries service locally?

But you probably don't need antibiotics for that. Soak in hot salt water three or four times a day and it will resolve itself.

Do you not have an online system where you can upload a picture for the GP to assess?

Not all GPs have that. Ours don’t. You have to call at set times to speak to triage and then they decide if they’re going to give you an appointment, a prescription or a call back.

It reads to me like you've been in pain for a week now, so why did you only go to see pharmacist on Friday?

I was thinking that. My GP ask for photos if it is relevant.

OP don't you have an urgent care unit?

Maybe the pharmacy you visited wasn’t a prescribing one? I got antibiotics from a pharmacy a couple of weeks ago for a manky looking insect bite.

I second this and keep rubbing some antiseptic cream in gently every few hours.

I was trying the regular salt water and savlon that PP suggested. Unfortunately no urgent care in my area. Only GP (very busy and difficult to get an appt), or A&E (very busy). There is a separate children’s A&E with a short wait for sick and injured kids/babies which is excellent but unfortunately adults are a bit screwed here.

Hot soaks and iodine spray and/or inadine can help with this in the meantime. If you catch it early enough it can be enough to head the infection off. Magnesium sulphate paste is also good.

probably get flamed for this but in this situation I’d order and pay for some online!

111 should call 3 times, DH did an online referral yesterday, he missed the first call and they called back a few hours later. The website seemed to imply this was protocol?

Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing problem, so yes, antibiotics should only be prescribed if absolutely necessary.

Paronychias usually resolve without ABs. A pus collection can be drained in urgent care but redness, swelling and pain respond most effectively to regular saltwater soaks, rest and elevation (and painkillers as needed). If there is tracking (red line spreading up the foot) this is evidence of a worsening infection which of course needs assessment
There is a belief that ANY bacterial infection MUST have antibiotics where as a fit and healthy immune system can deal with a lot by itself, sometimes with just a little support.
Having said this, a private GP will almost certainly give you ABs because you are a consumer and they will be worried about any negative feedback.