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Original poster

Where to get a wound repacked

25 replies

Processedpea · 20/05/2019 16:23

I had a minor op under GA and have to now get it repacked every day. My local GP service has no appointments at all due to various reasons and the only option is to go at sit in a walk in clinic which isn't really ideal after being stuck in hospital so not feeling great.

Is there anywhere else I can try, other GPS etc? 111 suggested Boots but from their website it isn't in their list of option and to be honest it looks like you would need to get free Prescriptions to get anything anyway.

OP posts:
itbemay · 20/05/2019 16:29

What a dreadful service from your GP surgery. I would contact your CCG and ask for options as they may have a dressing clinic you can attend. Alternatively contact the ward where you had the op and ask for their help, explain about the GP having no appointments.

fedup21 · 20/05/2019 16:31

Your GP nurse has no appointments at all? All week?! That can’t be right!!

How often does it need to be done?

I had a wound that needed packing after an op recently and DH took me to the GP nurse daily, except at weekends when the district nurse came to my house.

Sidge · 20/05/2019 16:36

Ahhh I love the outrage at the lack of nurse appointments.

I’m a practice nurse. We have no free appointments until next Thursday. That’s right, ten days. We are fully booked including our urgent book on day appointments.

Sadly demand outstrips supply. We’re not a walk in service and can’t conjure up appointments out of thin air. We accommodate extras wherever possible but we have finite availability.

OP whilst I appreciate it’s not ideal I think the walk in centre is your best bet. If you’ve got a willing family member that can be taught to do it occasionally that might be an option too.

AndWhat · 20/05/2019 16:40

Depends on your areas funding. I’m a district nurse we have treatment rooms for mobile patients and if they have no appointments it’s a case of going to the walk in and sitting waiting unfortunately

Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 16:41

no they basically said they were all on training and/or booked up.

I did speak to the hospital to ask what would happen if the GPs were full and she said walk in clinics and to be honest the hospital are so busy that if I call and bother them again i would feel like hassling them and just giving them more work to do, it was an emergency assessment ward so not just a clinic iykwim!

I could try other doctors locally but would they take me as a one off? i think I know the answer already, also the local clinic said the district nurse could help but only at the weekend.

Just looking on the GGC site

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Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 16:44

I understand Sidge I've never had to do this before but am not surpised. I also had to visit the local family planning the other week and they told me they were closing that local branch, they have already closed the one in our town.

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Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 16:49

i only need it doing for a few days it's not a long term thing and tbh i wouldn't trust Dh to do it.

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wonderfulbee · 20/05/2019 17:09

@Processedpea I had a small op in Feb and needed exactly the same as you, except I needed repacking every day for two weeks and then every other day -.- my doctors was also the same and I had to take myself off to a walk in centre. It's not ideal but due to wound leaking it's best not to leave it..sorry if that doesn't help.

Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 17:16

Hi wonderful yes I will do that. Does the packing required just get smaller until no more is needed ?

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wonderfulbee · 20/05/2019 17:20

@Processedpea they'll keep repacking until wound is almost closed, mine was quite deep as it was an abscess so took quite a bit of filling..also take some co-codamol if you have any :)

Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 17:24

Ah yes the nurse told me to do that. Thank you

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wonderfulbee · 20/05/2019 17:28

@Processedpea you're welcome! Good luck and speedy recovery for you :)

GrandmaSharksDentures · 20/05/2019 17:45

I work in a walk in centre, we don't keep the dressings needed to pack wounds with. Might be worth checking before you wait for several hours

Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 18:26

I have some the hospital gave them to.me just need a covering

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Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 18:28

Several hours !

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HeyMicky · 20/05/2019 18:31

Have you looked at wound centres? They'll have specialist staff

loopy42 · 20/05/2019 18:37

I had an infected cyst removed from the back of my neck that needed packing and redressing everyday.

I too had to go the walk in centre......everyday for 3 weeks, but I made sure I got there as soon as it opened and I never waited for more that 40 mins.

I had to get dressing and things from my GP surgery to take with me to the walk in centre as they didn't have any there

PatMullins · 20/05/2019 18:41

I work in a GP surgery, none of the clinicians deal with wounds.

Do you have a wound clinic locally? Usually you can call and they’ll book you in.

Original poster
Processedpea · 20/05/2019 22:25

No I know only the nurse staff can do would probably be easier to get an appointment if a Dr could do this. No wound care centres so I will try the walk in. It's my only option really

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Original poster
Processedpea · 27/05/2019 15:46

wonderfulbee can I ask how long it took to totally heal? Also were there any lumps etc with g the healing process

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wonderfulbee · 29/05/2019 10:25

@Processedpea 3 weeks for it to close and about 2 weeks to scab over & no I didn't, how's it going?

YesQueen · 29/05/2019 10:43

I did my own because of lack of appointments Blush

Original poster
Processedpea · 29/05/2019 11:19

ah thanks, mine's day 10 now and still going daily i don't think it will close ever! I can't seem to find any information online about how long it will realistically take but the nurse to book at least 3 weeks of appointments! Was yours deep? mine is 5cm and as I am still off work In am slightly obsessing over it.

YesQueen I can't reach mine otherwise I would do to, was yours big?

OP posts:
YesQueen · 29/05/2019 11:20

Yeah it was a deep armpit abscess. It didn't end up closing as I don't heal wounds well so I had plastic surgery on it eventually

Original poster
Processedpea · 29/05/2019 11:22

ouch that's awful, mine is just under the armpit. that must have been awful

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