Poorly mum

What a worry. Good luck

It`s the same with our doctors, they say call after 8.30am, but it usually takes until about 9.10 to get through, then there are no appointments left. It is possible, they say, to sit and wait, but after doing that a couple of times and waiting an hour and a half, I`m reluctant to do this. Oh for the days when you went to the surgery, waited your turn, and voila, the doctor!

Could she afford to take a taxi to the walk-in centre? How poorly is she? Ring 111?

Get her a taxi, they are usually very good at the walk in centres and will see her quickly, well they do in my area anyway

A taxi would cost around 20-25 pounds for that distance, I would think. Better safe than sorry.

Call 111 and explain - they are really good in my experience.

In view if your mum's age and the fact that she is unwell I would call surgery in the morning and request a home visit.
I believe that it was quite recently mentioned on GN that pharmacist's can prescribe medication and that it is free to children and over 60's

And then they wonder why people end up in A&E!! If you're worried about your mum I would insist on a doctors visit for her especially if she lives on her own. Good luck.

Yes the doctor should home visit her. She can't possibly travel that far . Good luck and best wishes.

Well I guess taxi s cost different prices in different places for our 8 mile journey to hospital it’s between 12 and 14 for a mini cab but it would solve the problem and at her age worth it if there’s no friends or neighbours who would take her to the walk in
111 would probably get a doctor to talk to her and suggest whether she needs hospital treatment or other, in fact I have found them almost over zealous I only rang up once to find out if there was an out of hours dentist I could visit and we went through my pain in detail , possible heart attacks and whether they could park outside if needed and was the door unlock etc etc

Is your mum in need of an urgent appointment seaside? If so, please do keep trying on her behalf. The receptionists seem to have reverted to the mode of being guardians of the doctors. Too often when you eventually see/speak to a GP they're horrified you've been expected to wait.

I don't mean to wind everybody up but honestly - this government is succeeding in its aim of destroying the health service.

Thank you for listening I am just so frustrated and tired.She has an ongoing problem with angina, and was recently hospitalised and given different tablet's to try, but is still suffering low grade chest pain.I am going to request a home visit tomorrow if there are no appointments to be had, the trouble is, it will then be a doctor that she doesn't know who will probably send her in hospital, and then a whole new nightmare begins again which is very traumatic for her and us.But better safe than sorry .

Seaside do you live close to your Mother?

About 10 miles away.

Not too far then. Such a worry isn't it.

It sure is Nanny, I offered to take her today in a taxi, but she is very strong willed and wouldn't hear of it.She has a partner who will be visiting tonight, she also knows if at any time she feels worse, to ring us.I'll feel better tomorrow, when I can get through to the doctor.

Don't request, insist.
The problem is getting past the receptionists who are not medically qualified.

I was under the impression that GPs are paid a premium for every patient on their lists over a certain age and that is to cover for home visits.

Don't worry Jalima I'm not a push over, something will be sorted.Didn't know about the premium payment either, think the problem is exacerbated by the sheer number of patients the practices have these days, and of course the time of year .

I am not sure if it is still in operation but my friend who was caring for her mother told me about it (and her DD was a GP)

Seaside I totally get it . My Mums 84 and still won't admit she's a pensioner. Sooo stubborn.

I actually rang for myself yesterday and the receptionist wanted details of why I wanted an appointment. Excuse me. How rude! I told her where to get off .

Once you get mum sorted, write a letter of complaint to the practise manager.Sometimes they are unaware of what is really going on.Draw their attention to what is happening, you may just prevent someone else having to suffer day in and day out.

It's dire at the moment everywhere.

Yes nanny, some receptionist try to make it as difficult as possible, as if being ill isn't bad enough.