Told, 'You cannot access the NHS' when I CAN...

Gosh Lara that sounds really scary! Hope you are feeling better soon.

We have a walk-in here in Coventry but I've never used it. 

Like a lot of folks I got flak from the receptionist when I wanted to register with a GP (this was in 2005 on my fiancee visa), ended up going to another surgery just as close by armed with the printout someone on here directed me to (but didn't need it).  Had no issues with my current GP surgery when we moved from Leighton Buzzard to Coventry thankfully.

Thank you SlicesMissus, Danielle, cheesebiscuit, and Jennie.

I have been told I have asthma, and bronchitis, and they are not sure yet if the bronchitis is chronic, so I go back on Friday... and now also have an inhaler and pills. The doctor said he can't believe I have not had fainting spells because i am not getting nearly the air that I need. But, he said now I will feel much better because of the meds.

So, hopefully, I am on the mend.

The GP office that the A&E sent me too was awesome - and, oddly, they only asked me for proof of address - not my passport. LOL. Luck of the draw!

He also said I should have come in sooner, especially because of what I do for a living - I use my lungs a lot - I basically TALK for a living... but i am in the middle of an important show at the Old Vic Tunnels, and I am also doing Spark London, and I have some radio gigs coming up... And I have a very, very big show I am working on which will be at Canal Cafe Theatre... And I am interviewing for other jobs... And I am in the process of trying to form a Storytelling Charity for inner city kids... So, I did not get the chance to get there.

Next time, work or no work, I have to go right away. Because, now I know, I have serious lung problems.

If I stop breathing, the only place I can perform is in hell, and i hear they are a really tough crowd...

Lara-glad you are feeling better. 

Wanted to mention that my husband's academic department is doing some research into the power of the receptionist/manager at your average GP surgery and how it is sort of disproportionate to what their actual role is.  We've often discussed at home how much sensitive information they have access too, as well as being a gatekeeper to services, appointment times, etc.!

Glad you were able to get help and are on the road to recovery.  We've used A and E and the UK's only children's-only walk-in clinic in Liverpool a lot lately as my son may have asthma and it's all been excellent. 

I'm surprised Scotland doesn't have walk-in clinics.  Perhaps it's because you guys get everything else (no tuition fees, free prescriptions, etc.    I only say this as I'm bitter in the NW of England!!!

Wanted to mention that my husband's academic department is doing some research into the power of the receptionist/manager at your average GP surgery and how it is sort of disproportionate to what their actual role is.  We've often discussed at home how much sensitive information they have access too, as well as being a gatekeeper to services, appointment times, etc.!

How very interesting! And, a much needed research topic at that!!!

I do part time research assistant work for a psychology professor at Oxford. He taught me at Harvard - I did my senior dissertation with him. He always says that the Brits do the best, most unique research, because it is often focused upon research that is relevant to the lives of the people of their country.

kintheuk, thank you, I feel so much better just knowing I have some meds now!

I'm surprised Scotland doesn't have walk-in clinics.  

I can't speak for Scotland, but we don't where I live -
But that said, a lot of the Highland hospitals are actually minor ailment units without full A&Es - as they're not equipped as such.

Glad you could get some help Lara, scary stuff, breathing issues.    

Thanx Phatbeetle!

i'm also 'underweight' so I am assuming the NHS will be sending a personal patisserie chef to my flat... ANY MINUTE NOW... Lol!

No? Not gonna happen?

Just a box of cookies then?

Just a box of cookies then?

Nothing further to add. Just wanted to say mmmmmm cookies. 

Did a quick Google, and it appears we're out of luck here... we've got some rubbish thing with certain pharmacies that are nurse-led for minor ailments, but the opening hours are something like 7am to NOON?  Not much use, really.  So I guess we'd need to call NHS24 or go to an A&E, depending on how bad the illness was.

No walk-in centres in Cornwall either. We do have Minor Injury Units that are open until 8pm, so a lot better than your noon! But still, no walk-ins. Like you, it's never occurred to me to look into it as it's not something I've ever contemplated using.

chary - But you live in lovely Cornwall so you get no sympathy! (Kidding)

PlainPearl - look where my hubby is going right now! He says it will 'fatten me up like a Christmas goose'!

http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/cafe-bromley.aspx

GOOD MAN!!! LOL!

There's one in Wolverhampton! I'm going to buy one of everything! 

IT. IS. FAB.

You will love it.

 

None in the Cambridge area either.     Because all the colleges have their own nurses, so why does the community need one?

bookgrl, (and everyone else in an area without a walk in clinic) if you needed too, could you just walk into a local emergency room? That would be the only other option, right?
Which, yes, is better than nothing... but, still, might be a very long wait! 

Yeah, but there is only one ER in our area and it serves a huge location.  Luckily, I have never been that sick.

I put my finger down to the bone, but a very short cut.  My GP said we don't do stitches, go to Addenbrookes.  I'm sure I would be seen right away. 

Glad to hear you got sorted!

I have asthma, and whenever I get any kind of little upper respiratory infection (even a tiny teeny cold) it almost always escalates to bronchitis or pneumonia.

I've had to go to urgent care or A&E many times for this, especially when my inhalers stop doing the trick, and they always give me nebulizer treatment (sounds like you got this too) and prednisolone tablets.  Works wonders.