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Original poster

can’t get a gp appointment

51 replies

pinklemonade84 · 29/01/2019 19:38

I’ve tried for the past two days to get a gp appointment for a blocked, very painful ear, that I think is infected. It started the night before last following 3 weeks of a horrific cold. And despite phoning bang on 8 each morning I can’t get an appointment until after dh has gone to work with the car at 2pm

The pain is unbearable and actually makes me cry and paracetamol or ibuprofen don’t seem to be touching it

I’m not sure what else I can do. Home remedies aren’t working and I have no transport after 2pm to get to out of hours

I’m sorry for the woe is me post, but I’m feeling so sorry for myself and just want to feel better

OP posts:
ForOldLandsEye · 29/01/2019 19:49

If your surgery diesnt run a patient access online booking service then the only answer is to keep trying or get a taxi or fruend / relative to take you to either Out of Hours or A&E.

Jellybean100 · 29/01/2019 19:51

Get a taxi?

Riotingbananas · 29/01/2019 20:06

Agree with the taxi suggestion. Dont go to A & E, that's a ridiculous suggestion for an ear infection.

ShatnersBassoon · 29/01/2019 20:08

Yeah, definitely sort out some other transport and take the next available appointment.

ShatnersBassoon · 29/01/2019 20:09

Because your problem is actually 'I can't get a lift', not 'I can't get an appointment.'

Lumene · 29/01/2019 20:09

I would try 111 they may be able to advise on alternatives eg walk in centre or help you get an out of hours GP spot.

Notmorewashing · 29/01/2019 20:10

Husband will have to come back from work early to take you

Lumene · 29/01/2019 20:10

Sorry just read post properly. Agree with booking taxi

bunnyrabbit93 · 29/01/2019 20:15

Definitely get a taxi. You may not get antibiotics though. When I dialled 111 because my daughter had a ear infection I was told you'll not get a appointment unless the pain has lasted for more than 3 days. I was told a warm flannel and paracetamol / ibuprofen mix

Redglitter · 29/01/2019 20:23

Surely if it's that bad a taxi is an obvious answer.

Hogtini · 29/01/2019 20:25

Taxi? Or see a pharmacist?

HunterHearstHelmsley · 29/01/2019 20:30

Just get a taxi. If it's that painful then it's worth it, surely?

OddBoots · 29/01/2019 20:42

If you're in that much pain wouldn't your dh stay home so you could go?

NorthEndGal · 29/01/2019 20:44

You need to get a cab, or get dh to arrange another way to work

punishmepunisher · 29/01/2019 20:45

I had this exact same thing 3 weeks ago and I'd never been in so much pain in my life. Honestly I was vomiting and felt like I was being stabbed in the brain.

I phoned GP and couldn't get an appt, and I ended up in completely hysterical tears walking to the doctors and sitting waiting for a cancellation.

On seeing how much pain I was in I was put in an empty side room by the lovely receptionist and was bumped up somehow and the doctors saw me within 20 minutes.

I was told to call 111 next time and the advice may be to go to a&e as severe ear infections can cause the ear drum to perforate and can turn into sepsis.

Call 111 for advice.

SingaSong12 · 29/01/2019 20:47

Taxi or a lift. I have same type of problem getting appointments at my surgery and physically physically go at 8.30 because I can’t get through on the phone before the appointments are all booked. There are usually about 8 people waiting.

Iflyaway · 29/01/2019 20:47

WTF? How awful for you. So sorry to hear this....

I can get a walk-in appointment with my GP any morning between 8-9 AM.

But then again, I live in Continental EU

Original poster
pinklemonade84 · 29/01/2019 20:47

To be honest a taxi isn’t an affordable option for me as it’s 13 miles each way to the nearest out of hours department, we have an infirmary, but they only have a minor injuries unit

I’m going to try the gp first thing again in the morning, then try a pharmacist and if no luck I’ll phone 111 for the first available ooh appointment and hope that my mil will drop me off. A warm flannel is helping more than painkillers at the moment thankfully

OP posts:
punishmepunisher · 29/01/2019 20:49

I sympathise so much OP. I've never felt pain like it.

One is my friends had an 11lb baby a few months ago and maintains that the birth was nothing compared to an ear infection she had that hospitalised her.

Teddyreddy · 29/01/2019 20:49

Physically go to the surgery to queue for when it opens at 8 to get an appointment? Only way to guarantee a same day appointment at my surgery.

punishmepunisher · 29/01/2019 20:50

Can go send someone to a 24hr pharmacy for neurofen extra with codeine? That helped me so much more than normal ibuprofen.

Original poster
pinklemonade84 · 29/01/2019 20:53

@punishmepunisher I’ll get dh to pop into somewhere on his way home from work. I would ask mil but she’ll be in bed now as she gets up at 5 for work

OP posts:
PoshPenny · 29/01/2019 20:55

I sympathise completely OP, but you need to accept whatever appointment they offer you and your husband needs to step up and get the time off to take you or else sort out your transport for you. Can you drive yourself there? Every day you leave it the more entrenched it gets and the harder it will be to shift. Thanks

3luckystars · 29/01/2019 20:57

Can you email the surgery tonight?

Lwmommy · 29/01/2019 20:59

If you ring 111 they can sometimes make an appt at your GP surgery rather than at an OOh.