Having an “underlying health problem” I tend to go to the doctor is a cold lasts longer than I feel it should, especially if my breathing is affected. I’d rather have the doctor tell me “it’s just a cold” than hedge my bets.

Hey - Dr Who is on soon. I’m due my traditional pre Dr Who chest infection.....

I went to the GP for the first time in years the other day.

As a result I've now been referred to a specialist in the LGI hospital.

I was glad I went but the reason I went had been around for a while and I just hadn't thought it worthy of going.

I have to be seriously ill to go to the doctors. I've been twice in the last twenty years or so.

My opinion is : I'm paying for the fecker anyway, so I feel like going I bloody well will. Having said that, I rarely do as I rarely need to.

Having done rotations in GP and A&E, the number of people who come
with minor ailments is mindboggling. Most commonly is
someone who is on the first or second day of a simple cold. Sensible people would just grin and bear it. But these days, everyone goes because they want a cure for the common cold! Or something to stop their stomach bug. People have become more and more dependant, less able to look after themselves.

Because of the 4-hour waiting targets, I often have to see someone with a cold or say a nosebleed that lasted a minute before I can go see the person with a broken limb or the elderly lady with chest pain. Wasting time on seeing such crap means the people who need medical attention aren't seen as soon as they should be.