hospital or GP?

KARO

Just wondering how the system works, and who I need to go to.

The situation is, I am under the care of the eye hospital for an eye condition (got quite severe dry-eyes), and my next appointment is not till February. The registrar said to me at my last appointment that if there is an emergency before then I can go to A&E and they will then send me to the eye hospital for an emergency appointment.


About 5 days ago I got this really large bump come up on my eye. It's most probably a cyst, it's not a stye, but if it gets much bigger I think I will need to get it looked at.

2 pharmacists have given me conflicting information as to whether or not I should continue to put heat treatment on it. (The eye condition I have requires that I use hot compress on my eyes twice a day). One pharmacist said oh no don't put heat on it, it's inflamed and could become infected. The other said oh yes that's fine just carry on with the heat compresses and go to your doctor for some antibiotics. I don't tolerate ABs so that's not an option.

So that was no help.


My question is: Do I go to my GP and ask her to take a look at it. Or, do I ask the hospital for an appointment even though it's not an emergency.

I don't think I can really justify turning up at A&E when it's just an unsightly looking cyst that feels a bit tender, but if it gets much bigger I fear it will need draining. February is a long time to wait.

jenniewb

GP but as an emergency (meaning same day appointment). A&E will not prescribe any antibiotics (or if they do it's very rare and tends not to happen at the weekend when there are skeletal staff only in most if not all hospital A&E departments).


Your GP will be able to see you faster than waiting for upwards of 4 hours, will be able to treat it with a whole lot of more options. All A&E will do is ensure it is of no harm to you until you can get to your GP so they are likely to give you pain killers (paracetamol) and instruct you to get an appointment.


I would then following the GPs advice (if it's an infection or what it is) contact the hospital you had previously been seen (if the GP has not already faxed or emailed through details) and explain what has happened and what is being done, don't make up their mind for them if you are under any doubt, just keep them informed.

KARO

Thanks.

The optician and the GP referred me on to the eye hospital because the problem I have (severe blepharitis)is beyond the level of general practice, so I was wondering if the GP would just tell me to go back to the eye hospital and ask them for an appt, given that the GP has already referred me there and I am still under the care of the eye hospital, albeit with infrequent appointments.

Cysts are very common with this condition, but this one is tender and quite large, and is likely to cause problems if it keeps getting larger.


(I can't take antibiotics, anyway, so I'm not after anyone prescribing me any)

It's not an emergency, - I wouldn't feel comfortable at all troubling A&E with it.

tomtontom

Why not give the eye hospital a call tomorrow, take their advice? The number for the secretary should be on any letters from them.

Nicki

In the meantime this is what the NHS page says about hot compresses on cysts caused by blepharitis (we aren't allowed to give medical advice here but you can read for yourself what to do)

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blepharitis/Pages/Complications.aspx

KARO

This is a google image, but the cyst on my eye looks very much like this:



Not a good look, but not harmful, as far as I know. I fear it may get bigger or will need to be drained. I will try contacting the hospital. I only have the switchboard number. I think the secretary's number is not routinely given out. She is secretary to about 4 consultants, and is probably rushed off her feet.

I never actually got to see the consultant, which is another bugbear of mine, but maybe that's the norm in the NHS.

tomtontom

Yes, unless you want to pay to go private there is no guarantee of seeing the consultant, given the demands on the service their role is more one of supervisor, advising the registrars and taking on the most complex cases.

carlislelass

Try getting past our GP receptionists for an emergency same day appointment. I was sent to A&E on a weekend and was given antibiotics

MadelinesMum

Hi, when my daughter had an ear infection with bloody gunk coming out of it I tried to make an emergency appointment with GP but they wouldn't see her. The receptionist told me to take her to a&e if it was that bad.

I phoned the NHS 111 phone number for advice, they went through all the symptoms, sent my GP a fax and my GP had to see her within so many hours.

111 are very helpful.

ToriP

Continue with heat treatment and maybe even a little gentle massage to see if there is a blocked gland?
Either way it's not a walk in emergency. If you do, you'll probably be triaged further down the list and may wait some time

Torry_Quine

Can't you contact the eye clinic to get an urgent appointment? I'm sure that they would be able to advise.