"Getting impossible to get an appointment"

I am writing on behalf of my wife who has had chronic back pain for the last two weeks.

She knows how busy the NHS is and also how many people complain about back ache so for 2 weeks has tried self treatment ie Ibuprofen every day and gentle stretching of the back following Google (look up) advice) This has not worked and given that her Mother died of a spinal cancer after constant nagging by me rang for an appointment on 5th Dec and told there is no hope of seeing anybody at either of the Farnham Dene surgeries until January 2nd. Although not given this advice by the receptionist I know that 'sometimes' one can get a cancellation if ringing at 8.00AM if lucky to get through (Our average number of calls for this is 22.)

When asked about this option she was told that there was unlikely to be any cancellations.

She then asked if she could have an appointment on January 2nd and was told no as they were not taking bookings then!!

So our options are:

1. Go to A&E and add to the massive backlog they have.

2. Wait till later in the month and hope one can get an appointment a month out - not sure how one does that if they wont take the booking?

3. See if it becomes an emergency and she cannot move at all and call an ambulance - good way of further wasting NHS resources.

If it is more than a strained back (how would we know) and it is much more serious and she has missed an early opportunity to treat it does make one see why the number of legal liability cases are being taken out against the NHS.

In mitigation when one does finally get to see a Doctor the follow-up is good.