I moved to the south of england for university and I am a registered patient at my university medical centre. My folks live 6 hours away from where I live and I have come to stay with them for a month over christmas. I have fallen ill and desperately need to see a doctor, but when I called my parents GP (who I was registered with for 18 years) the receptionist was very rude and told me they couldn’t see me as a temporary patient. I have been vomiting for well over a week now and have lost a significant amount of weight, so really need to see a GP. I’ve called 111 and tried the online service, but both have told me to go to my GP, which is completely impossible.
I’ve never had issues with getting a temporary patient appointment before, but after being on hold for over an hour and a half now, I’m feeling a bit stuck on what to do. What do other students do if they need a doctor whilst visiting their family?
EDIT: thank you all for your help! After much holding and calling, I called my parents GP back, who ended up admitting that they COULD actually take me on as a temporary patient, they just didn’t want to because “we’re very busy today, so probably can’t see you because it’s now too late in the day”. Bear in mind I called them when they opened first thing this morning. After much complaining, she eventually agreed to sign me on as a temporary patient. Took 2 hours total…what a nightmare!
9 comments
GP admin in a previous life – the walk-in centre is the next port of call.
You could potentially look up which organisation provides 111 in your area and see if they have any walk in or urgent care centres in your area. If you call them again asking to go to one of these you might get somewhere, alternatively you could try and just go there directly.
That would be one of the things I might try.
I lived in london for a year and would ring my at home gp because i know they almost always try to deal with you over the phone now. If you think they’ll ask to see you in person then yeah go to the walk in centre
Google “urgent care” followed by your county or city name. It’s for things that aren’t serious enough for a&e but do require attention today. I’ve gone to urgent care when I’ve had a suspected sprain and also when I fell over and didn’t think I’d broken anything but the first aiders wanted me checked out by a doctor.
Minor injuries unit
Phone you own GP and ask for a phone consultation. Explain the situation to them. You might have to go and sit in an A&E for a day.
Or get one of your parents to book an appointment at their GP, go along with them
Walk in centre
Out of hours GP at hospital A&E
Call 111 they will direct / book an appointment for you
Does the nearest hospital have an urgent treatment centre?
If I’m vomiting for a week and losing weight I’m heading straight to A&E to be honest