111 - Excellent service
I noticed yesterday around 7pm that my stomach was aching and had in fact been sore all day plus I didn't have much of an appetite so I decided to give 111 a ring.
I waited around 20 minutes in the queue then answered a series of questions to determine what my symptoms were and that I was who I said I was.
They sent a doctor out to see me at 9pm - I couldn't believe it. She examined my stomach, took blood oxygen, pressure, temperature and a urine analysis and determined that the diclofenac I had been taking for back pain wasn't playing well with my stomach so she advised stopping them. She had all kinds of electronic gizmos plus a laptop. She then prescribed some laxatives (my insides are all bunged up due to the codeine) and a big bottle of Peptac liquid which I have just got from Tesco. I did sleep well last night, knowing that the problem had been diagnosed and resolved.
But to get that kind of service just shows the NHS at its best. I can't remember ever having a doctor call at my house except when I was a child.
And all far better than a trip to A & E would have been.