Ouch!! Where do I start to get treatment?

Okay- I'm dealing with a very painful infection right now that I have been trying to ignore for the better part of 2 weeks-well not really ignore, just trying to treat at home naturally- but its not working, it is just getting worse.
So I haven't yet registered with a GP.  Do I just look up one on the NHS Scotland website and call and see if they are accepting new patients? Can I get an appointment at the same time or do I have to wait until after I fill out the paperwork? Does it have a processing time? 
Since I'm in agony should I just say sod it and go to A&E? 
Thanks...   

I had the same issue.  I suggest going to Minor Injury and Illness, which is part of A&E, get treated.  Then immediately register with a doctor.

You won't be able to see a doctor right after you are registered.  They have to approve you, send you a letter, blah blah blah.

Ring up your local surgery and ask them.  You do have to register but nhs scotland doesn't send out letters etc.  Chances are you can be seen today.

Thanks Dar, that was what I was afraid of, which is why I have been trying to treat it at home without any luck. Sounds like I have to go to the same course of action as you...

Okay, I'll try Britwife-
Thanks

Sorry for the slight hijack:  I registered with the NHS a few weeks ago (England) and still have not received any letter.  

I think Dar had the misfortune of surgeries who don't know what the hell they're doing.

Under normal circumstances you don't have to be approved and there are no letters (in England anyway). You just bring in an ID and proof of address and you're immediately registered (and can get an immediate appointment).

Sorry for the slight hijack:  I registered with the NHS a few weeks ago (England) and still have not received any letter.  

I didn't register with NHS per-se. I just went to a surgery closest to me that I wanted to attend and they were taking on new patients ... so i registered with them (filled out some paperwork) and so did DH... they treated me because I was ill at the time.. a few weeks later we had a new patient appointment which was like a physical .. height, weight, blood pressure.. and now theyre our doctor. 

That sounds like what we did, Chrissy--registered with the surgery.  I'm making my new patient appointment today actually.

Yes, we are registering with our new surgery this week and know we can get an immediate appointment.

I think Dar had the misfortune of surgeries who don't know what the hell they're doing.

Under normal circumstances you don't have to be approved and there are no letters (in England anyway). You just bring in an ID and proof of address and you're immediately registered (and can get an immediate appointment).

So, letters aren't the norm?  Ugh. 

Yes, we are registering with our new surgery this week and know we can get an immediate appointment.

Okay, my surgery sucks!  I still haven't been able to get an appointment!  You have to call the day of and they are full by the time I ring at their opening time!!! ARG! 

I got a letter!  But I could still go the doctor before I got it.

My surgery "opens" at 7:30 and you have to go and wait in line for an appointment for that day.  Then you usually have to come back later for the appointment.

I got a letter!  But I could still go the doctor before I got it.

My surgery "opens" at 7:30 and you have to go and wait in line for an appointment for that day.  Then you usually have to come back later for the appointment.

Wow you have to physically be there at 7.30!!! That's a bit rough if you're not well!!

Wow you have to physically be there at 7.30!!! That's a bit rough if you're not well!!

I know, you can go later, but then you probably won't get an appointment.  Usually there is a line when I have gone. 

You can call to make appointments, but not for same day service. 

It also is a pain for work, because I have to leave by 8 to get to work on time, but the office doesn't open till 8 so you don't know when the appointment will set at.

Ahhhh.

Cheers everyone!
I had no issues getting an emergency appointment, even without being registered first.  Hopefully this goes away quickly, as I am planning on going and enjoying my long weekend up in Ullapool.