This isn’t the first time this has happened and probably won’t be the last unless I change practice

My practice is OBSESSED with physician assistants. It’s only recently they even started referring to them as physician assistants, they used to tell patients they were “medical professionals” which is straight bs and misleading on purpose.

Called for an appointment today, and imagine my shock when I’m only offered an appointment with a PA for suspected cellulitis on my face.

I asked the receptionist (who is apparently a “patient care navigator”) why not a GP, and I kid you not they told me they have one singular GP doing appointments and the rest are PAs. I asked them why that was and they said they have to clue.

It’s disgusting how they’re able to get away with this, I’m assuming all so they can pay them less and the partners make more money.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this but, I have received a text message from NHS where they provided a link to a non-https portal site and I am wondering if it is a valid text message and not a scam message.

When I Google NHS portal I do not see that site address returned in any shape or form at all so am questioning whether it is really a text message from the NHS at all?

The fact that it is not a HTTPS URL is what makes me most suspect above all.

Has anyone else come across a text message like this before?

EDIT: Can't figure out how to upload a screenshot but the URL given in text message starts as follows: http://nhsportal.net/...

Hi all, I had an interview at nhs countess of Chester it over 5 days now and I am yet to hear from them. How soon can they get back. The advert says they will be in touch two days after interview but I haven’t heard back

I have many of the symptoms associated with b6 & b1 deficiency. If it helps, my b12 is also on the lower end of normal and has been decreasing (300 something) I’ve heard the b vitamins work together or something like that. Would it be silly to ask the GP for it to be tested as it’s a non-routine test? What if I went through the route of saying ‘I’d like to supplement b6 and b1 (which isn’t a lie) would you be able to request a test so I can take an appropriate dosage?’ Has anyone had success with this?

Hi all,

So 3ish years ago, my GP referred me to neuro at my local hospital. She never actually sent the referral, for some reason, and I didn't follow up properly because she told me it could take years as it was a Routine referral.

Then on 14/10, my optician also referred me to neuro, and told me I should have heard back about the first referral by now, so I followed up. This is how I found out it was never sent. My new GP then made another referral for me, on 16/10, which she said she expedited and marked on her end as urgent, and she advised me that I should be booked in and sorted out ASAP because it's essentially a 3 year old referral for a brain scan. She also said to check with the neuro team if I hadn't heard by Monday lunch as she ideally wants me seen within 2 weeks (I know this is not necessarily going to happen, but just to convey how urgent my GP was about it).

So I email today, ask if they got the referral, ask if the GP was able to expedite it, because I can't see anything on my NHS app. I get a reply saying that the one person able to triage for neuro is on leave until 11/11. There is no one else available to triage me. I will have to wait on this person to get back from leave, and then they will decide if I'm urgent or not.

Is my only option to wait? Do I have any other recourse here?

I used to work as a band 2 hospital porter for a couple of years in an NHS hospital and then a private hospital a further couple of years. Im now thinking of going back to the NHS and applying for a band 3 HCA position as I fit the requirements, has anyone ever gone from a band 2 porter to band 3 HCA and could tell me if there is a significant worth to that jump as the salary isnt much more but I have a feeling the workload may be considerably more? Interested to hear from anyone who's worked both positions please...?

Hi. I am currently going through the process of double jaw surgery preparations, to correct my mandible recession and various other issues. I have had TMJD and chronic bruxism for 14 years, to the point my teeth have been ground flat.

My consultant arranged an MRI on my TMJ’s to check the stability before doing big movements in the double jaw surgery. I have got hold of my radiology report, and something didn’t sit right, so I have had it examined separately with a few MRI slices and the independent specialist has said it’s not even close to being accurate and if I get DJS on the condition of my joints, it WILL fail. My disc is in the 09:00 position and is no longer “bow tie” shaped according to the specialist. I also have very small condyles that will not support surgical movements. How do I go about this? Do I need to get a second opinion through the NHS radiology department? Can I take my private assessment as evidence that they need to fix my TMJs first? I’m happy to DM/send MRI slices but this post if for ADVICE on the process for second opinions and where I stand, as I’m assuming I cannot use private analysis as evidence to the NHS and the recommendation would have to come from within.

I want to apply for this post. Can someone who has/is working as a Senior Health Care Assistant please tell me what the actual responsibilities are? Mainly asking about physical care? Do I need to assist with personal hygiene, toilet facilities?

Hi everyone,

I recently changed GP surgeries and my NHS App history has completely disappeared—it only shows my new appointments.

I urgently need the exact dates of my past spinal MRI scans to request my imaging from Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a painful L5-S1 disc bulge flare-up (causing severe back spasms and leg numbness when sitting).

I visited the hospital reception desk where the staff said they cant do this theres no option for them to do it

so

I sent a portal message asking for "Detailed Coded Access" and historic record access, but the Practice Manager called me and claimed they are "not allowed to change anything" on my digital profile. and even if they could i would nnot see anything before my start date this year

My questions:

• What specific system setting or technical phrase do I need to give them to prove they can toggle my historic access start date?
• If they refuse to budge, what is the fastest way to get my data? Should I go straight to the hospital’s records department/PALS, or try deleting and recreating my NHS App account?

Any advice from GP admins or anyone who has beaten this loophole would be amazing. Thanks!

Edit: BTW there's loads more - someone has lost the plot

Do they give access to their named account to anybody??? I was just scrolling through reviews for a place I'll be attending, and found this among the first few reviews that appear at the very top (1-star one). Is there no moderation or concern by the practice to have let this on for 10 months (and counting)??? Who can I contact to show them this abhorrent derogatory response?

I have monthly medications which were on my repeats previously. However, Ive changed my NHS number recently so all my prescriptions had to be re-put on last month.

I have two medications on there which are repeats (methotrexate and folic acid), but all my other ones are not repeat ones (like eczema creams, Elocon, Elidel, Fexofenadine, etc).

Am I meant to contact the pharmacist every time I need them? Or do I need to contact my GP practice to ask them to put them all on repeat prescriptions?

It's not enought that I had to wait months, now it has been cancelled to wait another few months.

I’ve a complex spinal case requiring specialist surgery at Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, Stanmore. I am living in Northern Ireland.

I’ve had my pre op assesment and they requested my GP do some simple blood tests and MRSA swabs and an ECG. My GP has refused as it’s not their responsibility so they asked my local hospital who referred me out to the RNOH and they have also refused.

Now I’m left in limbo while the two hospitals play hot potato with me and my care.

Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this or is this just normal for ECRs ?

A relative has a severe dental abscess. Appeared yesterday and got significantly worse overnight.

NHS 111 (N): "sorry there's no dentists available until tomorrow"

My relative (R): "So what can we do? They need antibiotics. Can we speak to a GP?"

N: "No, it's a dental issue, you need to speak to a dentist.".

R: "But you said there aren't any dentists available.'

N: "That's right"

R: "so...?"

N: "If you get really unwell, then go to A&E"

R: "it's clear that I need antibiotics, there must be some way for me to speak to someone qualified to prescribe antibiotics today".

N: "if you get really unwell you can get some at A&E"

Surely the sensible thing would be to give antibiotics BEFORE someone gets seriously ill?! It's clear they need them. Redness, swelling, lump, fever 38.5.

What a broken system.

I have been in the referral process for a PE corrective surgery. A previous surgeon mentioned a policy change in January 2027 that could make it easier for me to get the surgery. Does anyone know what this could be or how I could find out more easily, as I cannot easily contatc the surgeon as the referral has ended and I need to rerefer. This is not asking about the condition or advice itself, and apologies if I have worded poorly

Called 111 about 6 hours ago following days of worsening concerning symptoms, it's currently 2am and I am fighting to stay awake in case they call (I sometimes have pretty major issues waking up from sleeping and might miss the call if I sleep) and am only feeling worse and worse.
I'm also extremely anxious and worried if I call back to tell them I'm feeling worse they'll just be upset with me or (more likely) just say to wait for a clinician to call me back and I'll still have to wait another 6+ hours.
I just moved so don't have a GP yet. My partner is on nightshift right now and I have mobility issues so can't get to A&E by myself, so I don't really know what to do. I've seen online that people have had to wait upwards of 14 hours for a callback.
I'm just stuck, I don't know what else I can do but wait.

EDIT: Called back and been referred straight to out of hours GP so hopefully shouldn't be too much longer, thank you everyone for your advice <3

Hey,

I recently had a cxl procedure and I really wanted to thank my nurses and the receptionist that looked after me. The more I think about it the more I think how professional and brilliant they all were and how they relaxed me.

How do I go about giving feedback so I know that it is actually passed on to the staff? I’ve also forgotten one of their names, I’m assuming there will be records of who saw me etc.

Do I go through pals? I would’ve thought if I did, they won’t even tell the ophthalmologists that looked after me, is there any better ways? Can I give sealed gifts also? I know there’s usually gift policies etc.

I’m going back on Wednesday so I’m gonna try get her name.

Thanks

I wondered what other people think and how they feel about the number of stories hitting the headlines about NHS staff being suspended or fired for breaching the medical records of people involved in high-profile deaths or tragedies?

Yesterday, the Guardian reported that NHS staff were being investigated for breaching medical records of William Chapman, the young man sadly killed by a tiger recently https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/16/nhs-staff-investigated-over-alleged-accessing-of-tiger-victims-records

Today the BBC reported more staff have been fired for accessing records of victims in the 2023 Nottingham stabbing attack https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmd7q8ld3dd3o

These aren't the only cases this year, just the most recently reported on. This seems to be an ongoing pattern that might suggest there's a culture of mishandling data and data privacy and I genuinely am unsure what to think.

edited for typos

So I've had a few episodes recently where I've lost the ability to speak or think clearly (it's something neurological but we don't know what). Unfortunately the care has been very patchy. For example, I use a wheelchair anyway, but as I was taken in an ambulance I didn't have it with me. My mobility was even worse than usual yet staff refused to help me to the loo, saying I was lazy, and I couldn't communicate that I can't usually walk far anyway. They left me to wet myself in my bed. Eventually someone did offer to help me but was very angry, trying me to stop being lazy and pick up my feet properly.

I managed to communicate that I was struggling with words but they just said that some people can't talk as well as others. I was left in a bed with cot sides up, no call bell. I tried knocking on the bars to get their attention but when they came over I couldn't speak quickly enough so they walked away again. They kept saying "there's no diagnosis to say you can't walk or talk, you are fine"

When I recovered after a few hours, they just said "see, you can do things" and tbh at this point i just needed to be out of there so a relative brought a wheelchair and I left.

Anyway, I just need something written down to say I can usually speak (I actually do a lot of public speaking and debate as my job) and what my baseline mobility is etc, also things like my meds and medical history.

I don't understand why this country still clings on to the unaffordable and outdated idea of free healthcare for all. Why? Its not like health care is free in other European nations (comp France or Germany), so what makes poor Britain different. I'm not saying it should be like the US system or charged at cost prices, but I'd be happy to pay £20 for a GP visit and those that can afford it should too.

Clearly those who can't afford it should be given free healthcare, but those that can, should contribute something back into the system that would have to be reused by the system to make it better for all.

I appreciate it is a pandoras box and when you start saying £20 for a GP, it becomes 30 then 40, but something has to give as the problems are only going to get worse with our aging population. As someone who had their newborn child almost die due to NHS incompetence and has read of numerous other similar cases, something needs to change. No one I know working in the NHS says the system works, many are looking to leave so the status quo is not an option.

What am I missing?

This is my first Reddit post but I’m really frustrated and trying to understand if anyone else has gone through a similar situation with surgery funding.

To explain my situation -I first visited my GP once I noticed the blockage in my nose in May 2025. Was told I had to do 3 months of steriod nasal stray before ENT referall. I was officially referred in September 2025, and got an appointment in February 2026. I was then booked for a CT scan in March, and the ENT consultant confirmed surgery in April 2026. Since then I have been on the surgery waitlist. In October 2026, I emailed my hospital asking for any further information with waitlist times and I was told my FESS surgery needs to be approved by the Hampshire ICB board and funding granted before I can receive a surgery date.

I’m struggling to understand why this needs another approval stage. My ENT consultant has examined me, reviewed my CT scan and decided that surgery is necessary. I’ve already waited around 17 months since first going to my GP, and 6 months since the decision for surgery.

I understand that NHS resources are limited, and I’m not trying to jump the queue. I have been trying to research online the estimated waiting times for funding approval decisions but there is very limited information.

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm thinking they could get a comment about a lump and then reply back oh that's definitely ABC. I have an idea but

Sometimes just general advice can be ignored but a lot of people are online so they may pay heed to a short video because it's on Facebook

This may seem like a really stupid question but i have bad anxiety about this type of thing for some reason. Because it’s the weekend, will they not call me until monday now? Is it worth putting in another request or calling again? I generally never go to the GP unless i desperately need to so this may be a very common occurrence, which is fine i would just like to know what to expect.
any advice helps thankyou!

I(33F) was recently injured and the injury was a little deep. Speaking to the clinician, GP and asked them about tetanus, they said not to get it.

But I see that it is recommended that Adults get a tetanus shot every 10 years. I haven’t had one since i was a child and I see that other countries(including my home county) use opportunities like this to get Tetanus booster for Adults. But why does NHS seem to be dissuading people from this? Is it a cost thing?

(Not sure if this really counts as a complaint as it's more a concern, but this was the best fitting tag). I have searched this everywhere and only saw one one other reddit thread of someone who had this experience.

I'm a woman in a wheelchair with very limited mobility and had a spine x-ray over a year ago where they made me change into the hospital gown inside the X ray room, whilst three clinicians, all women (not sure if they were radiographers or what, one of them did the actual x-ray) kinda stood there watching me change awkwardly.

I felt pressured into changing quickly to get it over with, but I really wish they had let me do it in a cubicle where I am comfortable and can take my time slowly without causing myself pain or injury (which is what happened, I was in agony from forcing myself to change quickly because it felt humiliating and embarrassing with them stood there). They seemed in a hurry too, they asked if I wanted help but I didn't, so I felt bad asking for a cubicle and I wasn't sure if there even was one available that would fit my wheelchair or if I would be holding them up further as they seemed keen to just do the x-ray and I was expecting that they would let me keep my clothes on as I had no metal on me.

I was asked to do another spine x-ray at a different hospital, and as you can probably imagine, I simply don't want to go to the appointment. The whole previous experience has put me off.

I am not sure if this is the protocol at all hospitals for disabled patients or the what is normal with limited mobility patients and changing into hospital gowns. At no point did anyone ask me if I wanted a booth or privacy, they just handed me the gown and made me change in front of them... I am able to change by myself etc., it just takes me a very long time, usually, and I don't like being pressured or put on the spot like that.