"Plan to be ill"

I needed a quick appointment for my daughter who I knew had an ear infection and needed antibiotics.

She was in a lot of pain particularly at night.

When I eventually got though (after 45 mins), I was told the next available appointment was in 10 days and couldn't do anything further to help. So i took her to the pharmacist who said yes looks like an ear infection but needs to see a doctor as not sure if in middle ear or not so treatment is different.

I got back into touch with the GP after being on hold for a further 30 mins, and asked what i should do.

The receptionist was very ignorant and said to go to i-heart to the walk in surgery at the hospital.

I informed her that the i-heart website said they do not open until 4 pm, she said in a very condescending manner - "Yes you can, it's open from 10 am".

So taking her word for it I took my daughter to i-heart to be told on arrival they do not open until 4 pm so they checked us into A&E.

I was so embarrassed as this was not an accident/emergency.

Once we were seen in A&E I apologised and explained what had happened, to be told by the A&E nurse that it was fine, they are used to being a GP;s waiting room. We eventually left with a prescription for antibiotics after 2 and half hours of waiting, and told in future phone 111 who will book a GP appointment at the hospital.

Why didn't my GP practice know this procedure?

Why cant they see children as urgent cases? If patients can't get appointments then maybe they should review their internal processes to deal with this issue.

It seems like you need to plan when you are going to be ill, so my common sense approach is to book an appointment every week and if i don't need it cancel - therefore I am adhering to protocol of planning if/when I may be ill.