"I think its wonderful to have a service like this"

I had severe abdominal pain which my doctor thought could be due to my gall bladder and referred me for a scan. However, the pain continued and was so severe I could not wait for a scan and felt I needed more immediate treatment, particularly as I had been diagnosed with diverticulitis and had a colonoscopy last year.

As my GP surgery was closed at this time I called 111 for advice. They explained I could be seen by a doctor at the out of hours GP service at the hospital if I could get to it. My daughter was able to take me and an appointment was duly made. I was seen promptly and diverticulitis was diagnosed as the cause of the pain, it was not immediately apparent as sections of my intestines had been removed, as a result the pain was located in a different area of my abdomen. The doctor prescribed antibiotics which have since done the trick.

I was not aware of the out of hours service and think it is wonderful to have a service like this which can take the pressure off A&E which is where I thought I would end up. I’ve told other people about this service so that they too are aware of the service