What if you can't find a GP Appointment?
What to Do When You Cannot Wait for A GP Appointment
The demands experienced by the average GP have been steadily increasing for some time now and, as a result, their appointment books tend to be full for days if not weeks ahead. At least a portion of this growing load can be attributed to patients who could really have just taken a couple of aspirins and retired to bed. That said, overall, it appears to be due mainly to an overall increase in general ill health.
Whatever the cause may be, however, it is a problem that has been leaving far too many patients waiting for appointments and perhaps wondering what else they may be able to do when they are unable to see a GP. The choice will, to a large extent, depend on how sick they may be. For example, anyone who is showing the signs of a cold or flu and who might otherwise be tempted to visit their doctor could actually get all of the attention they need simply by describing their symptoms to a trained pharmacist and following their advice.
Other minor problems such as sprains, headaches, sore throats, bruises, and insect bites can probably be resolved in the same fashion and would not normally justify making an appointment with a GP. The pharmacist will also have the knowledge to recognise when medical attention may be required and will tell you if this is advisable.
Should you be experiencing severe pain or are bleeding as the result of an injury or your illness is in some way debilitating, more immediate medical attention may be required and the best way to get it will be to attend a hospital’s emergency department. On arrival, a triage nurse will probably assess your condition and prioritise your examination by a doctor if considered necessary. Such cases could probably not have been resolved by a GP visit, anyway.
In many cases, these difficulties would not arise if primary-care services were not restricted to office hours. This limits the number of patients that can be seen in a day while leaving many others to wait for the next vacant appointment slot.
Intercare Medical Centres are helping to break this deadlock by extending the consulting hours and even operating on weekends. Not only does this mean you can see a GP after work or on a Saturday, because the Intercare centres are multidisciplinary, but you will also be able to visit a dentist, talk to a psychologist, or have your hearing or eyesight tested at a time that will suit you. The even better news is that any of these appointments can be booked online.