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poor you - we have an excellent GP out of hours service here in Cardiff - have used it a few times
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Some days things just don't go well.
This morning I was crawling around in a wiring closet when my sholder went "ping" and the oft made critisism that I look like a walrus came true and I was reduced to flopping around barely able to move. I have been shot and it was not as bad...
Considered options and after sending out latest work experience person for ibuprofen etc rang up NHS 111 or rather 8 as it seems to be with my network provider. They answered quickly (!) and then put me through a long triage which I think was designed to see if I had had a heart attack. I did my best to be nice :-)
NHS111 decided that I needed to see my doctor something I had tried to avoid as he usually needs a month's notice. Ah tell them 111 says you only have 6 hours and rang off.
Work experience returned with a small packet of ibufen explaining that you can only buy so many at a time. There is no shortage of pharmacies in Islington so she was sent off to try harder. By this time I am contemplating the upside of jumping out of the window as a way of dealing with the pain.
Downside of ringing the doctor is that he is 90 miles away but try anyway and quote the 6 hours to reception. Amazing he rings back in 10 min and says he has made a prescrip for all sorts of highly desirable painkillers next time I am passing. Great, I cannot move still less drive.
Then inspiration. Rang the magic number for my 24/24 7/7 travel insurance. Bad move not valid in the UK for minor ailments. Apparemtly being reduced to a gibbering wreck is a minor matter.
Time passes drop coffee forgot that the bad shoulder is connected to left hand. Work experience gets hoover and makes more coffee. Tells me that 2 ibprofen does not mean 2 packets.
aaagh
NHS111 now tell me I can see a local GP in Islington. Ha bloody ha finding one who speaks English will be a big ask. Why would they see me unregistered in advance of the needy thousands? Nothing for it but to struggle off to the Whittington eyes tight shut as work experience navigates the Holloway Rd. Shows a high level of skill with SatNav less so on signalling, traffic lights etc. Nowhere to park of course so I am tipped out onto the pavement from the tiny bug that work experience says is a car.
Soon she is back with a crutch and we lurch off to A&E.
Being bored I start sketching the customers on my phonepad. Security man gets suspicious and tells me I can't do that. Why not? 'cos I sez .... hummm.
And then when the sun has set I get to see a real live doctor. He whips off my shirt, has a prod or two, I yelp in pain. I get a shot of something ( hate needles ) and a prescip. for a box of pain killing stuff (Kapake).
But work experience has gone so I lurch out into Highgate Hill with the idea of getting a cab. No chance so decide to experiment with Uber.
Brilliant! Car in 10 minutes who takes me via pharmacy to a place of safety (aka dark comfy trad pub ) where I fold up and call it a day.
Tomorrow is another day. Just so long as it is not like today.
Moral: getting old is a very bad idea. If you must make sure that you have yr smart phone with you and don't rely on work experience. Read your insurance documentation. Guiness and painkillers do mix.
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