GP or back to A&E?

k66yla

Last Friday morning I went into work and virtually collapsed due to being unable to breath from a cold I had all week. Got rushed up to A&E by one of my colleagues in the works van. Got seen immediately, given treatment, chest xray and put on steroids and antibiotics(chest infection). I was told to go back if I'm still not feeling too good after the weekend.
Today, even though I'm still not feeling too well I went up the road to my local GP surgery to hand over the carbon copy of the prescription A&E gave me to give to the surgery so its on my notes. While I was there I asked if they had any idea how long I am likely to be feeling like this as all the meds run out in a few days. I was told 'why did'nt I ask at A&E at the time'.........probably because I was too ill to be thinking of questions!. My options according to her were wait until the 25th for an appointment to see the GP or go back to A&E. I did say why should I go back to A&E when this surgery is on my doorstep and hospitals are for people who need immediate treatment. All I wanted to know was an estimation incase I need more meds.
I'm getting really p'd off with not being able to get into see the GP. Where would I make a complaint? The surgery or the local Health Trust?

Sorry for the rant......I guess being ill has made me a little fragile and I'm probably over hyping things.

gunsandbanjos

The 25th is a long time to wait, i'd be super careful with a chest infection if i were you. They can be so dangerous.

Finish your meds, see how you feel, if you dont feel better phone GP for appt, if you cant get one go to A&E.

I dont know who to complain too, i'm lucky my surgery operate a phone on the day and we'll see you policy. I dont understand surgeries that book stuff for like 2 weeks time, if i'm ill i want to see a doc today, not in 2 weeks when i'm either better or dead!

Hope you feel better soon:)

Person_one

Is there an NHS walk in centre near you?

The 25th is too far away really, surgeries should have some provision for seeing people who need more immediate help, there's a lot of illnesses inbetween life threatening emergency and fine to wait for ten days!

Toomuchdebt

I agree, I have a painful knee and the first appointment I can get is the 28th of May.My only other option is to make an emergency appointment in the morning.

podperson

Sounds like you got a receptionist like the ones at my old surgery! They have a duty to provide emergency appointments so don't be afraid to ask for one, if they still state they don't have anything then say you want a home visit then - if they're anything like my old surgery then an appointment will suddenly magically appear then.

trigger2

Completely agree with pod. They have emergency appointments and you need to be seen. You need seen before the meds finish if you're not feeling any better. Do not let the receptionists put you off, if you have any chest tightness and difficulty breathing you must tell them and get seen quick. If they still refuse, they shouldn't, then either back to a&e or out of hours contact nhs direct (nhs24 in Scotland). And if they did refuse then you complain to the practice manager and copy to the local nhs trust.

Get well soon

X

Hermia

Don't they have after hours clinics where you are? In my town it's held in the hospital. If you ring your GP after hours you should get instructions about going to the after hours clinic. If you are having breathing problems just go to A&E. Bear in mind the steroids could be making you feel ill. I got given different ones last time I had a chest infection and they were almost worse than the illness!

k66yla

Thanks everyone for you comments.
There is an out of hours service in the area. I would rather see my GP than waste any resources at the hospital.
I'm due to finish the steroid course tomorrow, so perhaps I will wait to see if I'm feeling better after they are done. Still got another few days of the anti biotics. Obviously if things get worse I will get to A&E.
Thanks all.

coinxoperated

GP'a receptionists are the rudest, nosiest, ignorant, stupidest people I have ever met.

They answer questions you have off a board that says 'no appointment for two weeks, call back in the morning', they rarely understand the meaning of 'emergency appointments' - as if you say its an emergency, they tell you to go to a & e. I'm with Tower Hill Medical Centre in great Barr, Birmingham and they are the WORST surgery I have ever known. I can accept a lack of appointments sometimes, but the way they are and the lack of effort to help you is disgusting.

On registering I was told I needed to give a urine, poo, blood and saliva test. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!!! I didnt need an appointment when I registered. Total waste of NHS Money.

And people wonder why they have a sign up about being rude/assaulting staff. Im not violent, but I've been close to pulling the daft cow across the desk many times.

I now just go to walk in clinics.

k66yla

Totally agree Coin. Wonder if its possible to keep your medical notes at home and just use walk in centres? My GP surgery is busting at the seams, at least 1000 new builds just gone up in the area but no extra resources, no extra hours for those of us who work, no extra GP's/Nurses. Its only going to get worse.

VitaK

Give NHS-direct a call. Two weeks is to long to wait if you are running out of medication in a few days and your situation have not improved enough.

Your GP receptionist can advice you on there complaint procedure.