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Have I got this right?
I don't go to the Dr very often and it always confuses me.
My son has chicken pox. 22yo. (got it from my shingles we suspect. Hard to duck out of that one)
Anyway, so we think work is saying they need him to go to the doc to say it is chicken pox.
So, you can't get a pre booked appointment for ages. You have to ring in the morning.
So, they open at 8. Ring at 0801. engaged until 0810. Rings.
- Sorry, no more appointments available for today.
- Can I book for tomorrow?
- No, sorry, you need to ring in the morning.
So, it is just a random chance every day to get an appointment is it?
So, we might never get one?
Am I missing something?
Head to the nhs site and look for other options like a minor injuries clinic, try 101 etc.
No!
Last thing they want is someone infectious sat in a waiting room full of people who are ill!
If work has a specific reason for needing a diagnosis then they should sort that through their own occupational health service. If he needs time off he can self certify for up to a week. If he still has blisters he could take a picture of them as proof. If he needs to see a doctor because he’s ill phone up and explain the problem to reception.
I have exactly the same with my docs. I can make an appointment a few days in advance but on the day it's a call lottery. The only way round it is to turn up at reception at 8am and book in person, which is not ideal.
I've never used it ..but you can book appointments online at our surgery in a little Northumberland out back ..
Is this not an option for your area ?
It’s exactly the same for my surgery - possibly why I only go once every 10 years!!
If you want an advance appointment it’s not too bad but getting one on the day is hopeless...
Our GP is great, but I believe they're all private things who work on behalf of the NHS so they're all a bit different.
I really get annoyed by employers who think it's okay to waste finite resources to tick boxes.
Unless their an actual medical benefit to seeing the GP for him, I'd offer a self-cert form. You can download them from a few places online.
Chickenpox? Drs? I don't think you need to... NHS says -
"There is no specific treatment for chickenpox, but there are pharmacy remedies that can alleviate symptoms. These include paracetamol to relieve fever, and calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching."
Do you need a doc for that?
But, yeah the appointment system is pretty ****ed up. But then that's the NHS under the Torys eh.
Do you need a doc for that?
He needs the Doc for the Doctor's certificate showing the diagnosis...
“He needs the Doc for the Doctor’s certificate showing the diagnosis…”
He doesn’t- he needs to self certify for any ailment likely to require less than a week off. If he requires more than a week off he’ll need a med3 (sick note). If his employers are insisting they need medical proof this is a private service they’ll need to pay for (i.e. a private sick note).
And yeah, appointments systems are often frustrating because demand exceeds supply. Ironically, this sort of demand from employers is exactly the sort of thing which contributes to the problem you’ve encountered.
chickenpox at that age can be more serious. I had it for the first time when I was 21 and it gave me a right kicking.
I'd call 111 and see if they can get you an appt.
(he should be able to self certify but if) he needs a 'sick note' or letter from the doctor - at our GP there is an e-appointment thing on the portal (our GP uses System Online for the bookings). If you provide evidence (maybe a photo) they migth write you a letter without having to visit. Worth a look.
Also worth noting, the receptionist at our GP surgery doesn't necessarily know about this...
our Drs do online consultation which apart from the tedious form to fill every time is quite good.
fill in form send pics if appropriate normally get a reply next day with advice/prescription/ you need appointment etc.
better than playing calling at 8am lottery
Phone Doctors at 10am.
Explain situation.
Ask what they suggest you do.
Exactly the same with my GP, hence not seen him for years. I just go to the minor injuries unit at the hospital or clinic near my work & wait. It’s normally pretty quick.
111 should sort you. I had them at 30 last February. Doctors didn't do much except confirm it, as antivirals are needed within first 24 hours and I was a few days in. Main thing to watch out for is if the fever last longer than a couple of days, ended up needing antibiotics as some spots had developed an infection.
Bonjye is right. Self certify. “Doctors notes” should be employers problem. They may have specific issues if clients are at risk (eg if you work in a nursery, in which case they’ll have a policy and will have specific arrangements).
Please please don’t go to the doctors unless they know and invite you down. If you give the pox to someone on cancer treatment they could die. Sounds drastic but the surgery is full of ill people who are at risk.
Boy it is complicated isn't it?
Sounds like the lady at work might not be correct.
It is much easier being self employed.
The NHS website says "ask for an urgent GP appointment if you're an adult and have chickenpox".
His "works" sound like a right set of bastards.
Self certify. if they're not happy, tell them that your son is happy to be visited by a doctor arranged at their expense.
Hope he gets well soon. Pox at that age can be very nasty.