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Original poster

Can't get gp appointment what should I do?

39 replies

tina679 · 26/06/2018 00:19

I'm anticipating another challenge tomorrow morning in bot being able to get a gp appointment to discuss a possible dvt/thrombophlebitis issue. What are my options if they are unable to give me an appointment. A telephone appointment just won't cut it this time as the problem is visibly getting worse. I have seen the doc last week who suggested thrombophlebitis but it is getting worse and starting to worry me again. Also I'm 27 weeks pregnant Smile

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NT53NJT · 26/06/2018 00:22

Just say you need an emergency appointment with a gp. Usually works at our surgery if were desperately in need. Failing that you can go to a local walk in centre, there's where I went when I had a blinding pain in my stomach, they said they think it might be appendicitis so have some pain relief if it doesn't go then go hospital. I went outside and immediately vommed everywhere due to pain so went to hospital straight away.....

Moral of that story: don't go to the walk in centre 😂😂

Original poster
tina679 · 26/06/2018 00:33

Oh no! That doesn't sound good! Hope you got sorted quickly! We don't really have any walk in centres around ( I live in quite a rural area) there's one for minor injuries but that is nurse and volunteer led and to be honest I think I need to be checked for a dvt. I have an ultrasound for my foot ooked for a weeks time but am a bit concerned to wait that long!

OP posts:
adviceonthepox · 26/06/2018 00:55

Go to A&E it is an emergency! I had thrombophlebitis in pregnancy I was sent to a&e by my gp to rule out dvt. I had to take blood thinners for the rest of my pregnancy and for 6 weeks after. I also had to have them in my next pregnancy. Unfortunately I still developed thrombophlebitis again after delivery even with the blood thinners. Dvts are life threatening go get checked out.

Original poster
tina679 · 26/06/2018 01:19

Thanks for the reply @adviceonthepox this may sound ridiculous but if my gp surgery is open, can I still go to a&e and/or call 111? Probably sounds like I'm being very thick but I'm not used to having to do any of this 😂

OP posts:
Bluebirdsky · 26/06/2018 01:26

Take the telephone appointment but as soon as the GP calls you explain that you want to be seen as you are very concerned, they will have to slot you in then.
Alternatively look and see if there are any walk in centres close to you and go to one of them.

adviceonthepox · 26/06/2018 01:45

I went to my gp he sent me straight to a&e so I don't know tbh. I was admitted to the antenatal Ward and had a vascular scan the next day. Advice for suspected DVT is always A&E so I would just go there.
When I had it in my next pregnancy I rang the ward directly and they told me to come in. I was consultant led on my pregnancies so I don't know if that made any difference?

Tinypause · 26/06/2018 02:23

Does the unit that you are due to give birth in have a maternity triage unit? I would phone them and potentially go there. They will be able to arrange Doppler scans if needed and you will be able to see a doctor quickly. Best wishes.

hoping2018 · 26/06/2018 06:23

Just call the gp and say you're worried you have a debt and they will arrange for you to be seen.

(I work in a gp surgery)

hoping2018 · 26/06/2018 06:24

Dvt* (not debt!!)

Sisgal · 26/06/2018 06:37

You can phone Doctor and ask for emergency appointment (you do NOT need to discuss with reception what your concern is - they may ask - just say you will discuss your concerns with your gp) if they sayou there are notwo any appointments available just say you will just go to A+E...they will get you an appointment! Failing all that, you could try your HV or just actually go to A+E

INeedNewShoes · 26/06/2018 06:45

If you phone 111 out of hours they tend to get you an appointment with an out of hours doctor.

Having said that, if you phone your surgery the minute it opens they really should give you an on-the-day appointment for potential dvt.

endofthelinefinally · 26/06/2018 06:45

Have you phoned your midwife?
I would do that straight away. If no help there I would go to A&E.
DVT is potentially very serious.
Try once more for an urgent gp appointment. If refused tell tge receptionist you will have to go to A&E.
Also inform the hospital that you were refused a gp appointment. They do collect this information.

Sleephead1 · 26/06/2018 06:50

I work in a surgery can you turn up at surgery for it opening rather than ringing in case you can't get through on the phone ? saying that though you may well be sent to hospital anyway so I would head up to accident and emergency now and yes you can go to the hospital even if surgery is open

Sisgal · 26/06/2018 07:08

Im not meaning to sound horrible but... I don't understand why so many people pussy-foot around issues like this. You have a medical concern that a PP pointed out can be serious and you are pregnant. You have to put yourself and your babys health first. Phone and push for an emergency appointment. If you really can't get one, go to A+E and wait however long it takes. We've all had to! Hope it is nothing serious and you and baby are ok. Good luck!

MrsAlbie · 26/06/2018 07:14

Good luck, OP. The emergency appointments are for things like this. I can't see why you wouldn't be entitled, so please make thar clear to receptionist if they say no appointments.
I once phoned when my DS was about a week old and when she told me no appointments and was it an emergency, I said no but started to cry (PND and mastitis) and she gave me an emergency appointment and was so kind.

MrsAlbie · 26/06/2018 07:16

Sorry that last bit was worded so badly. Too early! I was really crying (not putting it on). With a week old baby and in pain, it had been difficult enough to actually make the call!

SoyDora · 26/06/2018 07:18

MrsAlbie mastitis is an emergency, I left mine for 24 hours because I was too exhausted to get to the Dr’s and ended up in intensive care with sepsis.
OP phone and push for an emergency appointment. If they will only offer you a telephone appointment, tell the Dr you need to be seen. If all else fails go to a&e (yes you can go if your surgery is open).

MrsAlbie · 26/06/2018 07:27

Absolutely, SoyDora, I didn't know that at the time! Sorry to hear that happened to you - how awful. Hope you made full recovery.
I'm glad the receptionist asked me and triaged it correctly. This is why I don't mind discussing my issues with reception.
We're all behind you, OP - get on the phone as soon as they open, or if you can, go down in person.

Original poster
tina679 · 26/06/2018 09:30

Still waiting for a call back to see if they can even do a telephone app!!

OP posts:
Original poster
tina679 · 26/06/2018 10:02

Still no call. I'll ring them again if it gets to 11am

OP posts:
TheVanguardSix · 26/06/2018 10:05

Call your MW who will get you in with a consultant and get you scanned, OP.

I have a history of bloodclots in pregnancy. Skip the GP. Straight to MW and she should get the ball rolling with the consultant obstetrician. Good luck!

endofthelinefinally · 26/06/2018 10:16

OP
Again - call your midwife.

Original poster
tina679 · 26/06/2018 10:19

I did phone the midwife (maternity triage) last week about it and she said that it's more of a gp problem than maternity problem. Don't know wether to ring "my" midwife as she's at a different hospital than the triage. I just don't want to be branded a hypochondriac 😂

OP posts:
Sassysarahh · 26/06/2018 10:24

Hi @tina679 the receptionists are a nightmare almost like they are trying to baracade you from seeing your doctor. Be firm !!! It's your health and baby !!! Tell them it's emergency and if In any doubt walk in to A@E !!!!!! Don't let them get u down

endofthelinefinally · 26/06/2018 10:25

Have you measured your calves properly with a tape measure? Is the bad side bigger? Compare your ankles and feet. What about swelling?
One of the biggest clues to look for are the veins in your foot. Are the veins on the bad side bigger, more visible, engorged?
Skin colour - redness?
Pain/ tenderness?
You need to be able to answer these questions when the gp rings you.

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