Infected toe GP surgery not answering phone what should I do?

[AJLang]

This is a current photo of my big toe. My partner has been soaking it in salt water and putting antibiotic cream on it but it hasn’t improved in the last two days. I’ve been holding on phone for GP surgery but they’re not answering. Any suggestions as to what I should do please

 

[MarkGeordie]

You could always try 111 or ask a pharmacist.

 

[AJLang]

This is the photo

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Mark. I hadn’t thought about pharmacist. 111 always directs me to phone GP

 

[ColinUK]

You can always go to A&E don’t forget.

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Colin id feel bad bothering them with this. Will see what pharmacist says.

 

[ColinUK]

If it’s causing you lots of pain and you’re not getting any joy from your GP then it’s perfectly acceptable to go to A&E and I’m sure they wouldn’t think you were wasting their time. Especially with a diabetes diagnosis.

 

[grovesy]

Thanks Colin id feel bad bothering them with this. Will see what pharmacist says.

Do you have a walk in centre or minor injuries centre, I know many haven't, I don't.

 

[Totalwar]

You should go too podiatrist (deals with feet)they normally have emergency walk in appointments.

 

[AJLang]

Thanks everyone. Pharmacist has said that because I’m diabetic i must be seen by GP surgery. Due to cut backs We don’t have a walk in podiatry service

 

[Totalwar]

Then you really don’t have a choice need to go to A&E as if not controlled then you could end up losing the toe or worse.

 

[AJLang]

Thank you everyone. Due to cutbacks I was discharged from the NHS podiatry service two years ago but the staff there are lovely. I’ve just phoned them and they’ve got me an emergency podiatry appointment for tomorrow morning - the lovely receptionist tried but couldn’t get anything any sooner.

 

[Kaylz]

@AJLang sorry to see this, hope they can sort you out ASAP and it heals soon, @Totalwar I think your a bit harsh in your comment, AJ is very well aware of what may and may not happen as she's been diabetic a long time now I'm pretty sure she doesn't really need comments like that at any time let alone at the moment, I hope your ok @AJLang sending hugs to you! xxxxxx

 

[AndBreathe]

@AJLang - If I were in your shoes, I'd be phoning around my local podiatrists for an urgent appointment. We are very lucky locally to have a fabulous podiatrist with an interest in diabetic foot issues - she is a regular on our local DUK Group's speakers list. (Even better that she is a great speaker and has us all self examining (or not if you don't want to), as she talks us through what we should or should not be seeing or feeling.

But, I digress. Were a podiatrist to find you needed something he/she could not provide, they have direct access to GPs and other podiatry/foot services for urgent action.

Of course, the beauty of electronic prescriptions is if a podiatrist (or whomever) asked your GP for antibiotics, or whatever, it can be actioned straight to your nominated pharmacy.

Fingers crossed for you, but that isn't something to "sit on" over the weekend.

 

[AJLang]

Thank you @Kaylz I remembered that the podiatrist will still have to contact the GP for an antibiotic prescription (well at least that’s what they’ve had to do before). BUT I have just managed to get a virtual GP appointment this afternoon and have emailed them photos so Mark will hopefully be able to pick up antibiotics later xxxxxx

 

[AJLang]

Then you really don’t have a choice need to go to A&E as if not controlled then you could end up losing the toe or worse.

@Totalwar I appreciate your concern. Unfortunately having been diagnosed with diabetes at 2 years old - and nearly at my 50 year medal - I have always been aware of diabetic complications and always act as quickly as I can if I’m concerned - but I appreciate that you weren’t to know that.

 

[Lucyr]

I would fill in the econsult form then the GP can respond with the treatment without needing an appointment

 

[AJLang]

@AJLang - If I were in your shoes, I'd be phoning around my local podiatrists for an urgent appointment. We are very lucky locally to have a fabulous podiatrist with an interest in diabetic foot issues - she is a regular on our local DUK Group's speakers list. (Even better that she is a great speaker and has us all self examining (or not if you don't want to), as she talks us through what we should or should not be seeing or feeling.

But, I digress. Were a podiatrist to find you needed something he/she could not provide, they have direct access to GPs and other podiatry/foot services for urgent action.

Of course, the beauty of electronic prescriptions is if a podiatrist (or whomever) asked your GP for antibiotics, or whatever, it can be actioned straight to your nominated pharmacy.

Fingers crossed for you, but that isn't something to "sit on" over the weekend.

Thank you, I genuinely hadn’t thought of that because I’ve always used the NHS before and had been under the impression that you couldn’t mix private and NHS podiatry appointments, but that may have changed in recent times. Fortunately I’m sorted out with appointments now.

 

[AJLang]

I would fill in the econsult form then the GP can respond with the treatment without needing an appointment

Thank you after I posted all of this I realised that I could use a Doctor link system with my surgery. But when I finished completing it it said go straight to A&E. Fortunately after that I managed to get a call answered by GP surgery who said they would book me an urgent telephone appointment with the GP this afternoon and I’ve emailed over photos of my infected toe.

 

[AJLang]

My surgery doesn’t have an e-consult.