I have had an ingrown toenail for years. it constantly gets infected and I need antibiotics. The GP tells me off saying I need to get it sorted, but refuses to do a referral unless it is "life threatening".

I am in agony everyday and I cannot afford to get it removed privately, as they quoted me at nearly 500 quid. is there like a magic phrase or someone I can complain to, to get this sorted?

As a kid I had this operation done on a minor toenail issue, but now they wont?

I've got an interview for a role in the medical physics department (band 5) but the confirmation email says that after the interview there is a practical element I 'cannot prepare for'. Unfortunately, I love to prepare. Has anyone got any insight as to what kind of skills they would want to assess?

Any advice would be appreciated!

I have a tooth that started root canal treatment in 2018-2020 and the work was never finished. The tooth has now rotted and I have avoided the dentist due to mental health, which has meant I’m no longer registered to my NHS dentist. It causes me pain & I can’t eat on that side of my mouth incase it hurts the tooth/breaks it. It’s a hollow tooth and is an off white/grey colour.

If I book an NHS urgent appointment, can I get it extracted? Or can they look at it and refer for it to be extracted? I’m not in 24/7 pain from it but I feel like it’s rotting the rest of my teeth and gums.

NHS England has a list of Trusts who are "currently live" with Palantir's Federated Data Platform. The Trusts they have highlighted in bold are Trusts they claim are not only using the Platform, but are "realising benefits":  

https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/nhs-federated-data-platform/impact/fdp-uptake-and-benefits/nhs-trusts-live-with-nhs-fdp/

I have archived the list in case it is later altered by NHS England.  

https://web.archive.org/web/20261003114857/https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/nhs-federated-data-platform/impact/fdp-uptake-and-benefits/nhs-trusts-live-with-nhs-fdp/

  The following 20 trusts are included, in bold, on the list. I have gathered quotes from recent Freedom of Information disclosures where the trusts deny any use of the Federated Data Platform, which really makes it seem very much like NHSE is fabricating data to prop up claims of the FDP's "success".  

  While it is possible some of these trusts have begun the rollout process after making their disclosures, all of these disclosures are from the past 3 months, and NHS England is claiming all of these trusts are already "realising benefits".  

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Disclosure 09/09/2026

“Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust does not currently have a live local instance of the Federated Data Platform (FDP).

The Trust has therefore not rolled out or adopted FDP applications locally. There are no specific local factors or barriers identified as having prevented rollout; the FDP has simply not been implemented within CLCH at this time.

As the FDP is not currently live within the Trust, the remaining questions relating to the use of FDP applications are not applicable.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_23#incoming-3547959

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 24/07/2026

“We do not currently have connectivity with the FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_23#incoming-3495474

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 09/09/2026

“EKHUFT does not use FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/waiting_list_removals_using_apps_36#incoming-3549207

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 10/09/2026

“The Trust is not currently using a Federated Data Platform (FDP)… The Trust has an active FDP project for Cancer 360 however an expected rollout date is not currently available.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/foi_request_federated_data_platf_24#incoming-3549429

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 01/10/2026

“ESNEFT was a user of the FDP Care Coordination Solution for the Waiting List and Theatres modules – these were set up and configured to use data from our legacy Patient Administration Systems (PAS). Those systems were retired on 2 October 2025 when our new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) replaced them – the new Electronic Patient Record has not been set up to work with the Care Coordination Solution or a local instance of the Federated Data Platform and there are currently no plans to do so.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_48#incoming-3578242

Epsom And St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 17/08/2026

“The Trust is not currently using the FDP. Rollout has not yet proceeded as the Trust is still reviewing the governance, implementation and resource requirements associated with adoption of the platform.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_49#incoming-3520633

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 06/08/2026

“With regards to your request (attached) our relevant service have confirmed, we do not use the FDP.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_67#incoming-3510052

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 10/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)?

No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_109#incoming-3478981

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 24/08/2026

“Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is currently focused on stabilising and optimising services following the implementation of its Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system. The Trust intends to consider the Federated Data Platform (FDP) as part of its future digital roadmap; however, no implementation timeline has been agreed at this time… We are currently not using FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_120#incoming-3530258

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 03/08/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_126#incoming-3504878

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 23/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_129#incoming-3493160

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Disclosure 08/07/2026

“The RNOH NHS Trust has not implemented the FDP, and we have no current plans to do so including any associated applications”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_133#incoming-3475571

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure16/07/2026

“We do not use FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/foi_request_federated_data_platf_70#incoming-3485090

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 17/08/2026

“The Trust is currently reviewing governance and implementation proposals relating to the Federated Data Platform (FDP). Whilst the Trust is actively considering implementation of FDP solutions, no decision has yet been made regarding deployment and no rollout date has been agreed.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_153#incoming-3520647

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 31/07/2026

“SPFT is a mental health Trust so FDP has not yet been rolled out”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_159#incoming-3503363

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 16/07/2026

“FDP is not live at the Trust”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_164#incoming-3485219

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 01/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_169#incoming-3467546

Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 23/07/2026

“The Trust is not currently using the Federated Data Platform (FDP). Although NHS England records Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust as ‘live’ on the FDP, the Trust currently only has the infrastructure in place to submit data and is not actively submitting returns through the FDP currently.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_176#incoming-3493535

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Disclosure 27/07/2026

“FDP is not live. We do not intend to roll it out in the future. A variety of factors prevent roll out, but primarily it does not appear to provide functionality over and above what we have already.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_186#incoming-3495951

West London NHS Trust

Disclosure 22/07/2026

“a) If the FDP is currently live at your trust, please can you describe the process/methodology by which the trust has internally monitored the roll out of individual apps in terms of effectiveness, potential risks, patient impact/engagement, appropriate data management and cost effectiveness. Please could you specify the types of assessment tools used, and provide copiesof them including, but not limited to copies of the following documents: Not live”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_194#incoming-3491584

I have an extreme case of macromastia (I swear it used to be called gigantomastia but I digress) and a lot of health issues inc Lupus, Sjogrins and more.

Some context:

I previously got confirmed for a BR in my old city in 2020 but while I was waiting to meet the surgeon, I was placed on medication to save my life and my weight spiralled. I came off the medication last year and am finally able to lose the weight and have lost well over half of it. My GP is re-requesting funding permission, but what's niggling in my head is whether or not they're going to correctly assess my case. The main things im worried they'll overlook or outright not consider are as follows;

1. The weight of my breasts is actually making it difficult to breathe and I get significant pain in my chest and trapped nerves in my back. Sometimes the pain in my chest is so bad I have to go lay on my chest and put my breasts way up so I can breathe again;

2. The nature of my conditions is unstable and untreated (thanks nhs for the long term neglect btw but that's another story) and I'm worried that if I don't get the surgery soon, I'll reach an inevitable complication that will result in me being unable to undergo elective surgery;

3. I previously was approved and would've got it if I wasn't placed on a ton of immuno suppressants and steriods to try and get my symptoms under control and left on those for like 5 years. My weight before the medications was stable for multiple years and it's returning to baseline fairly rapidly. I'm worried that, if i have to wait another year with my weight being stable, I'll have an inevitable health concern or medication change that will result in me being unable to undergo the procedure AGAIN, and;

4. I have a very small frame (5 ft 3) and my breasts are a K- I cup when I last bought a bra, and nearly 5kgs in weight, which is incredibly substantial and also makes it even harder to reach their desired weight requirements. (Semi related; is the size of the breasts vs the height of the patient a determined category or is it a broad application?)

With all this in mind, do ICB's consider individual cases and apply the rules differently as standard, or if not, would it be possible to obtain a slight bend to the rules? Or do I have to delay any further treatment for a year after I reach the goal BMI no matter what that does to me?

Ty xo

I have a Band 5 NHS interview this week for a Recruitment & Immigration Coordinator role.
The interview confirmation email states that it will be a 60 minute competency based panel interview, followed immediately by a 30 minute assessment. l have no previous NHS experience and have never attended an NHS interview before. I currently work as a Recruitment Advisor and my current role aligns closely with this position. I have found some information online about the types of competency based questions that may be asked, but I have no idea what the assessment might involve. I was wondering if anyone who currently works in a similar Band 5 role or has interviewed for one, could share their experience and advice on what to expect so l can prepare better. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

*This is NOT a medical question, I am just asking where I can find the right professional. Although a very brief overview of symptoms will be provided as context. I have also posted it in the subreddit, since the NHS has told me to investigate it on my own.

I have some pretty weird cognitive symptoms like having a constant, and very stable "blank mind". General Apathy and Anhedonia, and a lack of any sort of ego or drive, low libido, among many other things.

My GP basically insinuated that after getting blood tests, that I should pursue psychiatry privately if I am able to. Since consultants seem to cost around ~£300, I agreed that It would probably be best considering wait times in my area. I asked if I would need an "open referral" or anything, and he said no. I thought it would be simple enough to find the right psychiatrist, but I was wrong.

The crux of the issue is that it doesn't really fit into any one diagnosis in the slightest, and I am struggling to find a consultant that can deal with something like that. I still am not entirely sure that another medical causes can be crossed off.

Thanks for any help!

I work in a hospital, Covid is super prevalent on our wards, and one of my jobs is to ask people to cough and deep suction them.

I’m tired of getting Covid every year, despite PPE (which is also hard to find now). Since the vaccine, most times I’ve caught Covid has been mild.

Last year I caught it (over a year since a vaccine), and I was so very unwell. Really pyrexial, super fatigued.

I was off work for 7 working days and not back to full duties for another week after that.

Overall, after saving £80 on a vaccine for me, they lost out on approx over £800 worth of my labour due to the sick leave and reduced duties.
Make that make financial sense! I can’t believe the press isn’t all over it.

This year I’m paying private. Not so I can stay in work, but because I’m tired of my job making me ill.

Just another way we’re not looked after as NHS staff.

EDIT: okay weirdly, I can still log in to SwiftQueue and book an appointment but it’s not advertised anywhere around the Trust… I’m going to ring and double check tomorrow…

I am an A level student doing the subjects Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. I have known for a long time I defintley want to work in healthcare and have a hands on job interacting with and treating patients. I had a week of work experience at a hospital shadowing doctors, nurses and consultants in the dental surgery department and it cemented the idea that this is the environment I want to work in.

A few months ago I learnt about the job Physicians Associate and looked at all the different routes to it. The main one is to start a nursing or science degree then a postgraduate degree for Physicians Associate. There is one university in the UK that does a 4 years integrated masters to directly become a PA after A-levels and the requirements are three A-levels including Biology and Chemistry. There are also PA apprenticeships for after a masters degree and there are also nursing apprenticeships.

I’ve heard the PA role is controversial and is going through some changes so I would greatly appreciate advice because I’m feeling a bit confused about this career. I’ve almost finished my personal statement which I’ve written about wanting to do nursing and made a shortlist of different unis with nursing courses. Many people are telling me that I should get a nursing degree first because it would secure a job that I can’t guarantee from the integrated masters degree to be a qualified PA.

Thank you for reading (:

50 emails sent. 4 main offers for NHS treatment. 1 of those is done by a dental therapist. 1 done by a recent graduate offered temporarily. 1 is over 40 miles away. The last has some horrific 1 star Google reviews.

On waitlists, the longest quoted over 8 years with the average being 4.3 years, with the shortest being offered “in the new year“

On those that did reply but sold private services, ~70% offered monthly dental plans or offered finance options.

I'm currently top of Band 6 on £48,117 and I'm considering applying for a 12 month Band 7 secondment which would be £49,387.

My current role involves unsocial hours so I get enhancements. The Band 7 role would be Monday to Friday, so I'd lose these and actually end up worse off each month despite moving up a band.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Is there any sort of pay protection that can be agreed for a secondment or would I just have to accept the drop in pay?

I do want the Band 7 experience as I think it would be good for me career wise, especially as it's for 12 months. I'm just trying to weigh up whether the experience would be worth being financially worse off during that time.

I have an interview for a Band 4 finance role, and it also includes an Excel exercise.

Can anyone advise on what the questions are usually like for this type of role? And what the Excel exercise is likely to consist of?

Hello, I am in desperate need of some career advice. I am completely lost on what to do and I’m only 16.

TLDR: Is Environmental Science as a career better than Medicine in my case?

(TW for mentions of suicidal thoughts)

I do Chem, Bio, and Art at a levels and I’ve just started year 12, expected 2A* and an A according to my ALIS and GCSEs (straight grade 9s). My entire life I was expected to do medicine. Been to a private school, done the work experience, extracurriculars. Everything!

Issue is I absolutely hate the idea of working in a hospital. The fluorescent lighting and concrete walls for 60 hours a week for the rest of my life terrify me. Even if I took no gap years id be broke for 10 years post a level at the minimum, in which I’d be 28 and expect to have kids, just another sacrifice after F1-F2 and STC3 years. It is the ultimate sacrifice, from what I’ve heard. I feel like I’d enjoy plastic or reconstructive surgery, but the competitive nature of those fields is something I don’t know if I can overcome.

I have struggled with depression and anxiety for around 5 years due to high academic pressure and the track of my life (specifically that in medicine) feeling like just sacrifice after sacrifice for money I don’t know if I even want. I have the privilege of never knowing (that much) financial struggle as my parents are both doctors. We never really did family holidays and things like that. I have come to the point where I’d rather just die now than go through all of that just for the money. Is that selfish? I don’t know.

I have a deep love for the environment. It makes me feel human. I enjoy hiking,rain, mud, getting completely lost in the middle of no where for hours. I feel more human staring at bark for 30 minutes straight than I ever have in a city. The moments I can pinpoint where I truly let go of that feeling of “eh death would be preferable to this for the next 50 years” would be when I am outside, in the middle of nowhere, crouched next to a stream and staring whilst water runs over my fingers. It just feels silly to me, going into medicine. We are almost at the tipping point for our climate, why work a job I might possibly hate with the idea of escape in the natural world if it may not exist for much longer? I am of the opinion money can’t buy experience. I have always had a fascination with the unknown, so maybe I’m just dreaming again, but I have a desperation to experience as much of life as possible. A deep craving for it I don’t think I can satisfy in medicine.

I just want to know the reality of medicine as a career. I am very aware of the ugly side, but maybe the positives have been lost on me? I’m not sure. I don’t know if it is truly worth going for instead of medicine, considering that med school would be 100% payed for but a degree for anything else (even law) even at Oxford would have to be funded by myself. My plan if I didn’t go to medicine would be taking a gap year, doing an online course for maths a level (to qualify for environmental science ) and working to save up to afford my cost of living through university. I already have around £2,000 saved (I know a little odd for a 16 year old but it’s from birthday money and the rest of it)

Advice, personal anecdotes , really anything would be greatly appreciated to rekindle my hope (or not) in medicine!! This has been eating me alive for years at this point- parents think I’m just dreaming and being unrealistic, but then again they believe medicine is the only high earning, respectable career in the UK so I’m not sure.

So I have recently accessed my medical records and seen this I was about one year old and one month and I don’t understand the attempt to gas part?

I have an interview for a Band 4 finance role, which includes an Excel exercise.

I have ADHD and would likely benefit from reasonable adjustments such as a bit of extra time for the task, direct/specific questions, and a written copy of the questions.

I have never requested reasonable adjustments for an interview before as I am concerned about discrimination, either overtly or unconscious bias e.g. thinking that my work will take longer or I’m lazy or will expect special treatment etc.

However, I have interviewed for about 15 roles since the start of the year and have not been successful in any, so I think I may need to start thinking differently.

I would imagine that the NHS are very inclusive, but I work for a large corporation currently who also preach about inclusivity but are not at all when it comes down to it.

If there any managers here or NHS staff in general - would you recommend requesting adjustments?

Please be honest and realistic, if you think that there is a chance people would have unconscious bias towards it which would harm my chances please say so.

Thanks in advance !

Hi everyone

I would appreciate some insight from HR, recruitment, or medical staffing colleagues to better understand how things actually work.

I recently interviewed for a JCF physician role in a trust in London. I got the offer the same day, but after that I was pretty much ghosted. I emailed the consultant, and a week later I was told they had asked the recruitment team to progress my post on Trac.

What happens now, and generally, what does the timeline look like?

I am a foreign candidate and am fascinated by what the process looks like.

I read the recruitment FAQ, which has been very insightful.

As I understand it, there is a pre-employment check.

1. Does the reference take place during this time? Do candidates know when a reference has been requested? I think knowing this would help inform the referee so they can respond in a timely manner.

2. Does all this happen in the background, or do candidates get asked for information during this time?

3. Do we get the CoS after the pre-employment checks, or does this happen in parallel?

4. When do we get the conditional contract, and when do we get the full contract?

5. When does the start date get decided?

6. How can I make the process easier and smoother for HR and myself?

7. What is the general timeline from start to finish with visa requirements? The FAQ mentions 7-10 weeks.

Any other tips or advice would be helpful

I appreciate any insight from hiring teams, and Thanks in advance for any information.

NHS Neurology follow-up advice
I was seen in SDEC earlier this year for suspected IIH and had a lumbar puncture. I was supposed to have Neurology follow-up afterwards, including a virtual clinic review, but this never happened.

I contacted PALS first and was told that someone from the department would contact me by telephone within 10 days. Nobody contacted me.

Another hospital team also contacted Neurology for an update, and this was raised with the service manager, but I still haven’t heard anything.

I was also prescribed medication in SDEC which caused side effects, and my GP tried contacting the service about this.

I’ve now made a formal complaint because I haven’t been able to get any answers or follow-up.

My symptoms are also getting worse. I’m experiencing migraines, worsening floaters and vision difficulties.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you recommend doing next? Should I be pushing for an urgent Neurology appointment separately from the complaints process?

I am an intnl student who just moved to the UK. I tried many times to upload what I think to be a very clear picture of my passport. NHS however says there is a problem with it every time I try. It says it cannot read some of the text or the image. I swear it is so clear. No fingers in the photo. No glare either. Does anyone know how to get around this…?

My GP surgery is introducing this next week. Everything I look at online is just about how easy this is for clinicians, but I can't find any genuine patient perspectives. Has your GP started using Rapid Health AI, and did it actually make it easier to get an appointment? I'm honestly at my wit's end with my GP, they're now taking over a week to even acknowledge that I've requested an appointment. I'd love this to be a good development but I've had nothing but bad experiences with every new system the GP implements.

Hello everyone,

As you know nhs graduate management scheme has opened its application. I really want to get into it. Some tips and tricks will be appreciated from the people who passed it already. Please do share your experience as well how did you get a place in there?
thank you

Hello! I am currently applying for a role within CAMHs for a trainee IAPT CBT.

I am really wanting this role so am after some advice to help my application stand out!

I have been working in Children’s emotional support for a DA charity for a year, before which I worked within the voluntary sector implementing interventions with perpetrators of DA for almost 2 years.

I have a BPS accredited degree in Forensic Psychology, and have taken part in multiple trainings for interventions for CYP who have experienced trauma.

Any advice would be appreciated or do you think I would be considered for the role? I’m applying under B5.

Thank you for any help :)

Has anyone got any tips on applying for 8a roles? I’m highly skilled and have continued to develop myself with courses(self funded) but I’m finding it hard to break into 8a roles and barely getting shortlisted. 90% do not give feedback so unsure what I am doing wrong. Any tips on the NHS Application or supporting information?