GP Services Seem Almost Nonexistent

Highland76

OP, if public transport is not an option why can't you get a family member to drive you to the specialist centre or even take a taxi? 

Re: gp phone appointments, pretty sure  no surgery will let you speak to a gp immediately. With our surgery, you need to book a telephone consultation in advance but if you call first thing in the morning (8am), they can give you a telephone appointment the same day. And its totally normal for the receptionist to ask you more details about your condition, that's purely normal to stop any time wasters .

[Deleted User]

If I had friends and family, I would.  I don't.  

With regard to GP surgery of course I am not expecting to speak to GP immediately.  A human voice would be nice.  I phone, wait, no one at surgery answers (reception), then call gets transferred to the out of hours answering service - the POD service.  This was at 12 noon yesterday.

Highland76

Then as a last resort, take a taxi? If short on funds, then maybe borrow the £50-100 (round trip) from somewhere? Or if you have a credit card then pay the taxi fare on that as many cab companies accept CC payments.

 I would have thought your health would take far more importance than a taxi fare.

Katiehound

Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt....... Eventually went to Moorfields Eye Hospital., after local Opthalmic department

You need to see a consultant/opthalmic clinic.
 If the local centre has a walk in clinic that is the way to go. The cornea sticks to the eyelid at night, then pulls away again when you open your eye so it's a reoccuring injury and very very painful.

You might be able to buy ointment over the counter/online- the only thing that works for me is Xailin night lubricating ointment- it contains no drugs but creates a barrier. This would just be a temporary measure. It is very important that you get to an Opthalmic Dept. (and no, GPs and opticians are not the answer- you need specialist help) They can then advise you what action to take.

pattycake

If taking a taxi to the hospital is beyond your means, in my local area there is a voluntary service called Communicare.  You can ring and ask for someone to take you to hospital if you have no other way of getting there.  A contribution to the driver’s costs is expected but I don’t know if that’s compulsory.  Is there something similar near you?

Gers

You could try contacting the local PALS service at the hospital - the people there may be able to help.

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

[Deleted User]

I tried, they referred me elsewhere who said there was nothing they could do.
The practice rang me yesterday to arrange a respiratory assessment so I took the chance to ask how one arranges a telephone appt.  It turns out their phones haven't been working properly but supposed to be sorted today.  They are also arranging telephone consults longer term now (so if all appts booked for that day you can be phoned another day).  Hopefully will get the problem sorted now.

[Deleted User]

Just because you may now get to speak to a GP now you won’t get the problem sorted. The GP won’t treat serious eye problems. 

You must go to an emergency eye department and treated by a specialist. 

[Deleted User]

sigh> I'm asking for a referral to an eye specialist centre, not asking the GP to treat it.  There is no chance i will get to one when the pain is bad, travelling is difficult at the best of times.

I know you want to help but it is quite normal to ask a GP to make referrals when its a specialist area.  Hopefully in a non urgent situation I will be able to get there. 

Having said that, I have asked Hospitals/GP service and anyone working in the health service if there is anyway to get help with transport to places I find difficult to get to (which is almost anywhere lol).  They all said there's nothing available. I should have looked before, the responses on here made me look in spite of being told there was no help available by so many people in the health service.   But I've just found out about SMILES.., brilliant service run by volunteer drivers and they will take you anywhere you have problems getting to (hospital visits a priority of course).  I sense our lives (my whole family is autistic) are going to open up.  I might even be able to get help going to the PIP re-assessment due next year.  

I wish there was somewhere on here I could put the link that other people in the same situation could find it.  I honestly have asked loads of times (even social workers).  Obviously its on the main kent.gov website but you have to know its there to find it.

https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/community-transport#tab-36

Sorry to go on a bit but this is a major positive for me.

Katiehound

You will almost certainly get faster, instant treatment if you go direct to an emergency Opthalmic clinic.
Yes, of course the GP can refer you, that would be the normal route- but that takes time- in this case go direct.
 Also better to go when the eye is really bad- ie in the morning because then whoever you see will appreciate the problem. The eye can heal up very quickly- by afternoon nothing may be visible. (Speaking from experience)