Would you go to gp for any reason at all at the moment?

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I’ve got an abscess, which I’ve had before 😬.
Previously I’ve had antibiotics to get rid of it but I’m just using salt water at the moment and hoping it won’t get worse.
I’m reluctant to either go to the gp or take up any of their time when they are so busy.

My GP surgery is only doing telephone appointments. I had a lovely chat with a very helpful GP yesterday. If you think you need antibiotics call them.

Mine want people to ring! They are mainly doing telephone consultations, asking you to photos where appropriate. They will ask people in if necessary.

@MeadowHay when I went to the gp shortly before lockdown I was given months worth of prescription pills and was essentially told not to come back as they would be far too busy dealing with covid patients. Doesn't sound to me like a surgery who intends to act normally.

DD came down with a very sore throat and mild temp yesterday afternoon, got worse overnight and this morning she couldn't swallow anything and was really miserable.

Call GP surgery who arranged a telephone consultation, it's suspected its tonsillitis, GP prepared a deferred prescription which we can pick up if she gets any worse or develops white spots on her tonsils.

All very simple to be honest so def call your surgery and get help - risking your health by not getting help for a genuine issue isn't going to help anyone.

Hope you're feeling better

I went a couple of weeks back for an important blood test. They don't usually do the test, its done at a specialist hospital but they agreed to cut down on me travelling. I had to wait in the car park and got called in when it was my turn. The very large surgery was empty.

I’d ring and ask them about it. It sounds like the sort of thing that might get worse without treatment.

I know my GP surgery is doing a telephone triage system at the minute, so an appointment right now would most likely be a telephone one or video one.

The surgery is still doing some routine face to face appointments though. I got a call from them last week, asking me to bring DS3 in for his vaccinations. There was only one other patient in the waiting room when we went there. And the nurse doing the vaccinations was wearing a face mask and disposable gown.

I had a phone appointment last week, describing my symptoms which was my usual sinusitis and my gp prescribed me antibiotics and sent the script to my chemist electronically as they normally do anyway.

I also got antibiotics without seeing the doctor.

If it's something that you have been treated for before they may be able to do a telephone assessment. If they need to come in then they'll tell you, and you go in.

I would go for anything that is causing major pain/ discomfort or that could soon become worse or harder to treat over time.
Before lockdown I wanted to see a GP about on and off pain in my wrist that’s been gradually becoming worse and more frequent - but I’ve been putting up with that for about 5 years already. Obviously that can wait a few more months.
An abscess can get worse and is probably very uncomfortable. And you’ve needed antibiotics for it before - so I would definitely go for that.

I'm due to do for my 6 week postnatal check at the GP next week.
If it was just for me I would consider not going, but I think its important to go as I know they check the baby's hips, heart etc. and I dont want anything to be missed.

GPs are still open, albeit via phone, and generally not dealing with serious Coronavirus cases. They are therefore not busy, in fact less than usual and Coronavirus cases are falling. I can log on and get an appointment for the same day, if not the same hour, at lunchtime.

Plus if you are particularly worried about routine things, like smear tests if experiencing irregular bleeding for example, they will do this if you are symptom free.

A smear test is not routine if you are experiencing irregular bleeding. That’s something that should be followed up by a gp.

I have to have an injection every 8 weeks. Last time I went I got a call the day before to check I was well. No self check in available, but there was no-one there so it was quick.

Please go. GPs are actually less busy than normal as people are concerned their overrun and don't have the time to see them. I've had to visit a couple of times recently and it's never been easier to get an appointment!

I would use GP services yes. But if it is a dental abcess first port of call should be a dentist, most are open for phone consultations and they will probably be able to send antibiotics prescription to your local pharmacy.

No, I use an insulin pump. I’ve been rationing supplies as I don’t know how easy they will be to get in coming weeks / months and it’s from leaving a needle in for too long. My own fault. 😬

I responded to you on another thread about this.

Insulin pump supplies are not PPE! They are not in short supply! FFS contact your GP who is not busy!!!!

If you needed to conserve supplies you would be told. Please don't do random things off your own bat that damage your health.

My mum works at our local GP surgery. They’re far less busy than normal.
Telephone appointments initially, video calling if necessary and they only see you if there’s no other way.
I had antibiotics prescribed over the telephone a couple of weeks ago, and when they didn’t work and symptoms worsened had an urgent hospital referral... I was seen in hospital 2 days later.
So yes, I would!
The majority of GP surgeries aren’t seeing Covid patients so they shouldn’t be any busier than normal.

Rationing insulin/insulin pump equipment is a really, really bad idea. You could end up seriously unwell because of it.

Please call our go about this tomorrow and they can reassure you that this is not necessary and actually quite dangerous.

I rang my GP about a breast lump on Friday. Phone appointment yesterday and follow up in the Surgery today. Referral to nearest hospital that isn't local but is open for other medical issues already booked for next Wednesday. Glad I rang, I'd been putting it off presuming they were too busy.

I’d only go if absolutely necessary

I consider nhs staff to be the most risky of all so benefit would have to outweigh the risk for me

I have found it easier than ever to talk to a GP and get a prescription for antibios this week. After phoning on Monday morning, I had a phone consultation within about 3 hrs. Why would you not at least just call and see what they can do? They will be adhering to meticulous infection control and with fewer patients attending the surgery will probably be safer than they usually are.

I find it astonishing that someone would deliberately do things that will definitely endanger their health (leaving infections unchecked, rationing insulin) because of a relatively small risk.

Rationing insulin will make you ill. Leaving an active infection untreated will have health consequences - possibly very serious ones.

Attending a GP surgery might mean exposure to COVID, which you might catch, and which might be serious for you.

Did you call the gp today after everyone told you to op?