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Original poster

To phone 111 to see if they can get me a GP appointment?

14 replies

QueenEthelTheMagnificent · 20/08/2025 16:11

Hey all.

So I'm 99.9% sure I have Gallstones. I have many symptoms. I've tried phoning every morning this week for an appointment. (No e-consult before anyone asks!) I managed to be number 12 on the hold line this morning, but when I spoke to the receptionist she told me all appointments had gone, there were only 8 (8!!!!!!) appointments all day as they are understaffed, and to try again tomorrow.

I should add I haven't been to the Dr in over a year and a half I don't needlessly worry about my health and only go when I need to.

I'm worrying that it'll be the same story tmrw regarding the appointments.

Right now I don't feel like going to A & E is the thing to do. My pain is ranging from 3-5, so perfectly copeable with. Obviously as it's not THAT urgent at the moment I could be there for hours on end. But the longer it goes on the worse it could be and I could end up needing emergency surgery.

So, back to my thread title, should I phone 111 to see if they can get me an appointment at another local surgery (they are all better staffed) or one with A & E?

OP posts:
Mayflower282 · 20/08/2025 16:13

Yes

ninjahamster · 20/08/2025 16:14

It might be worth it. I’ll be honest though, when my gallbladder plays up, it is absolutely agonising.

abracadabra1980 · 20/08/2025 16:15

Yes. I had a door slam on my fingertips last night and 111 made me an appointment. I was seen, X-rayed and home within an hour-but I’m not down south and live 10 mins from our local walk in.

LifeOfAShowGirl · 20/08/2025 16:16

111 are able to book GP appointments so I’d give it a go.

MamaElephantMama · 20/08/2025 16:17

In the past 111 have asked me to contact my GP myself to book an appointment. They said they would send notes over but the receptionist wasn’t having any and told me to try at 8am.

Andthatrightsoon · 20/08/2025 16:32

Could you change GPs?

Original poster
QueenEthelTheMagnificent · 20/08/2025 17:02

ninjahamster · 20/08/2025 16:14

It might be worth it. I’ll be honest though, when my gallbladder plays up, it is absolutely agonising.

It's slowly getting worse, it was a 1 last week and is 3-5 today and is steadily
increasing as the days go on. I've read about how bad the pain can be...... 😬

OP posts:
ohbee · 20/08/2025 17:04

Does your GP not have an on all doctor for things that need to be seen on the day? Ours does routine bootable appointments but for something like this I would ring and ask to be put on the list for a call back today. Then the GP would decide whether to see or refer straight away

AnnaMagnani · 20/08/2025 17:07

@ohbee a lot of GPs are beyond capacity of how many appointments they can do in a day.

If all the slots at mine are gone you get directed to 111 or the Walk In Centre.

MinnieGirl · 20/08/2025 17:13

If your pain is 3-5 and manageable, it’s unlikely you have gallstones, which are absolutely agonising. Your pain might get worse or it might go away. It might not even be your gallbladder. Can you be seen by a nurse practitioner? Phoning 101 to ask them to arrange a Dr appointment is a bit much…that’s not their role. Keep trying the surgery and explain that this is the 5th day etc that you’ve phoned and you really do need an appointment. If the pain does suddenly get much worse then present at A&E.

Original poster
QueenEthelTheMagnificent · 20/08/2025 18:14

MinnieGirl · 20/08/2025 17:13

If your pain is 3-5 and manageable, it’s unlikely you have gallstones, which are absolutely agonising. Your pain might get worse or it might go away. It might not even be your gallbladder. Can you be seen by a nurse practitioner? Phoning 101 to ask them to arrange a Dr appointment is a bit much…that’s not their role. Keep trying the surgery and explain that this is the 5th day etc that you’ve phoned and you really do need an appointment. If the pain does suddenly get much worse then present at A&E.

You could be right. Or you could be wrong. The pain has increased from a 1 last week to this today. I've researched gallstones and yes, they can come on suddenly and leave the patient in indescribable agony in a matter of hours, or they can build up more
slowly over the course of days, even weeks according to the NHS website. I have many of the symptoms and wouldn't waste anyone's time if I didn't think it was possible that I may have them.

OP posts:
Wowiw · 20/08/2025 20:42

My gallstones presented like that for quite a while before getting into full blown attacks and then in between was back to the lingering pain.

stichguru · 20/08/2025 20:53

I would phone 111 - You've tried your doctors and they haven't been helpful. Kind of what 111 is for!

TheLivelyViper · 21/08/2025 15:38

QueenEthelTheMagnificent · 20/08/2025 18:14

You could be right. Or you could be wrong. The pain has increased from a 1 last week to this today. I've researched gallstones and yes, they can come on suddenly and leave the patient in indescribable agony in a matter of hours, or they can build up more
slowly over the course of days, even weeks according to the NHS website. I have many of the symptoms and wouldn't waste anyone's time if I didn't think it was possible that I may have them.

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Did you go to A&E? If so how did it go? Hope you're feeling better.

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