Back from holiday with a broken ankle - best way to access medical care here?

[StColumbofNavron]

I broke my ankle (lateral malleolus fracture) a week ago and avoided an operation overseas but got back last night and need to get into the system here for ongoing care. It doesn't seem like a rock up to A&E situation (I am partially plastered - back of leg and under foot), I can't get my work virtual GPservice to recognise me to refer and looks like I will have to wait until tomorrow regardless - will my GP be willing to refer over the phone - I have the medical report and xrays etc.

Not sure what the correct way forward is.

I would go to a&e. Ask them to check it. Say yinjad it treated abroad but they said to get it checked when you returned they will put you in the system for the fracture clinic

I think you need to go to a and e or urgent care

As previous posters have said just go to your local A&E or urgent care. This is a really common scenario and they will just get you into the system for follow up as needed.

Could you ring 111 and ask them?

I agree you need to go to A&E. Do you have the x-ray done overseas to take with you?

Thanks - seems A&E is the way. I just was reluctant given it isn't an emergency anymore if you see what I mean, but I will do this.

This happened to DD. You have to go to a &E to get into the system.

Yep, I have the xrays to take along.

Have you got a minor injuries unit near you? They would be able to triage you for the trauma clinic and ongoing treatment.

Yes I used to work in A and E. People did turn up from holiday with exactly this type of situation. We'd check things and refer on to the fracture clinic.

Although if you do have a minor injuries clinic available that might be better, as PP have said.

Afraid it was an A&E job for me too when I came home with a fractured elbow: they also xrayed me again and didn’t care for the ones I brought with me

You need to go to A&E to get out on the system and referred to fracture clinic.

They may not be happy with the treatment you've already had.

I'd go to minor injuries - they were great when I broke my elbow and I was seen after about 5mins. Much faster than A&E.

Normally you go to a and e and they refer you to the fracture clinic. That’s pretty standard for a holiday fracture.

This happened to me. I needed and had surgery in the other European country. On return to the UK I went to my GP who then referred me to the local fracture clinic.

A&E. that’s what I had to do when I broke a bone abroad.

This happened to me and I went to A and E.

I got an emergency appointment with the GP and he referred me to the fracture clinic. It took a few days for them to contact me but they quickly took over my care.

Not criticising posters but the system when people are having to go to Emergency Departments for this, and probably sit for hours as the least urgent cases there.

I agree the system is poor - but in my area all the minor injuries depts apart from one have been closed and that is only open 8am-8pm - so we have no choice but to go to one of the two A&E depts.

It's an awful system for patients as you usually wait hours to be seen, then get passed back and forth between depts as you progress through the system. I always assume we'll be there for at least six hours and take a good book. It's shit. We used to have minor injuries in my town.