Should I go to A&E
Discussion
This is a ridiculous situation.
I started with lower back pain about 3 months ago. I don't know what I did, if anything but I only get it when in bed. Not just my main bed but any bed.
I changed the mattress in any case on the main bed but nothing has changed.
Since last Wednesday, I've been calling my GP for an appointment but each day, they say they are taking appointments only for that day and I have to call back the next day.
Every day, I get through within 10 mins of the surgery opening and they are fully booked for the day.
Today, they said, if it is an emergency - go to A&E.
Well, it's back ache. I've had it 3 months so I'm hardly going to be calling an ambulance but I feel a fraud even turning up at A&E but what are my alternatives?
No wonder A&E is at braking point.
I started with lower back pain about 3 months ago. I don't know what I did, if anything but I only get it when in bed. Not just my main bed but any bed.
I changed the mattress in any case on the main bed but nothing has changed.
Since last Wednesday, I've been calling my GP for an appointment but each day, they say they are taking appointments only for that day and I have to call back the next day.
Every day, I get through within 10 mins of the surgery opening and they are fully booked for the day.
Today, they said, if it is an emergency - go to A&E.
Well, it's back ache. I've had it 3 months so I'm hardly going to be calling an ambulance but I feel a fraud even turning up at A&E but what are my alternatives?
No wonder A&E is at braking point.
When I had back pain (sciatica - I couldn't really walk or get out of bed), I was told to go to A&E only if I lost control of my bladder/bowel function. If that happens, you're in serious trouble apparently.
Otherwise, get a private chiropractor appointment sorted out - that's what sorted mine out in the end after about 5 sessions.
Your GP will do nothing other than give you painkillers, which won't work.
Otherwise, get a private chiropractor appointment sorted out - that's what sorted mine out in the end after about 5 sessions.
Your GP will do nothing other than give you painkillers, which won't work.
Muzzer79 said:
Do not go to A&E - It's not an emergency.
Call your GP practice and ask for an emergency appointment there.
If they won't give you one, explain that you've been trying to book a regular appointment and escalate to practice manager if required.
Thank you for talking sense - going to A&E was a very silly suggestion but I needed someone to tell me that the world hadn't gone completely mad.Call your GP practice and ask for an emergency appointment there.
If they won't give you one, explain that you've been trying to book a regular appointment and escalate to practice manager if required.
Our practice has stopped the patient access system for everything other than repeat scripts.
Appointments, you cannot make an appointment for anything other than a telephone consultation. Maybe a nurse appointment if suitable. You get a timed call back from whichever GP, you can also request a call back from a named GP, but they really don't like it.
During the telephone consultation the GP will decide the course of action and the most appropriate colleague to deal with the problem, e.g. an issue with ears, say, you will get an appointment with the GP who is an ex ENT reg. Very often that appointment is later that day or the next, far superior system to the previous one, which was very similar to that described by the OP.
Imho the OP's practice needs a kick.
Appointments, you cannot make an appointment for anything other than a telephone consultation. Maybe a nurse appointment if suitable. You get a timed call back from whichever GP, you can also request a call back from a named GP, but they really don't like it.
During the telephone consultation the GP will decide the course of action and the most appropriate colleague to deal with the problem, e.g. an issue with ears, say, you will get an appointment with the GP who is an ex ENT reg. Very often that appointment is later that day or the next, far superior system to the previous one, which was very similar to that described by the OP.
Imho the OP's practice needs a kick.
My practice is the same. It's crap. Knowing the digits to put into the IVR helps and saves valuable seconds listening to the options!
Previously I've used a private GP out of frustration but I saw a service advertised recently where you can get an NHS GP consultation online within minutes. Never used it but might be worth checking out...
https://www.gpathand.nhs.uk
Previously I've used a private GP out of frustration but I saw a service advertised recently where you can get an NHS GP consultation online within minutes. Never used it but might be worth checking out...
https://www.gpathand.nhs.uk
No don't go to A&E.
Go and see your GP, it may take a few weeks but you will get an appointment sooner or later.
Top tip... In post Brexit chronically underfunded Tory run Britain if you can't afford private healthcare it would be very wise to prebook fortnightly appointments just in case you fall I'll, then you'll only ever have a max 13 day wait.
Go and see your GP, it may take a few weeks but you will get an appointment sooner or later.
Top tip... In post Brexit chronically underfunded Tory run Britain if you can't afford private healthcare it would be very wise to prebook fortnightly appointments just in case you fall I'll, then you'll only ever have a max 13 day wait.
If you ring 111 at any time they will ask a series of seemingly unrelated questions, but will give you a “disposition” which in your case will likely be see own gp in 24 hours (especially if you tell them you’re unable to walk far and are taking paracetamol and ibuprofen). Tell the GP surgery that 111 said you have to see them. Depending on contract they’ll either get paid to accept the referral or fines if they don’t accept.
That being said, don’t expect much more than hardcore pain killers, while it’s in spasm there isn’t much that can be done, though if it’s a long term issue they may refer you for MRI to check for disc/vertebrae injury?
That being said, don’t expect much more than hardcore pain killers, while it’s in spasm there isn’t much that can be done, though if it’s a long term issue they may refer you for MRI to check for disc/vertebrae injury?
JPJPJP said:
Surely chiropracter or physio type would be the place to go?
Not to sit around in a waiting room full of suck people to get to see someone who gives you paracetamol and suggests you go to chiropracter or physio?
This. A mate of mine was suffering back pain which over a period of weeks turned into sharp pains down his legs an a few days of being almost unable to move! GP, said hospital, hospital said specialist. Turned out to be herniated disk which is a relatively common issueNot to sit around in a waiting room full of suck people to get to see someone who gives you paracetamol and suggests you go to chiropracter or physio?
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions...
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