Not enough Drs?

I woke up this morning to a horrible wailing. You know the kind. Horrible 2 yr old sobbing. DS says “my mouf hurts”. Let me tell you, 100.7 fever at 6 something in the morning is not fun! First priority-call the doctor. What doctor? The one I was told accepted him as a new patient back in April when I set up DD’s first 2 month check. Well turns out he was never put on the roster, so we can’t see a Dr. today! What?? A doctor would have to first accept him, and then he would have to wait for a “new patient” slot. But DS is sick today, not tomorrow!

I simply do not understand how doctors can not allow new patients. I called at least a half a dozen recommended doctors here in Tyler and was told that none were accepting new patients. So, here in Tyler, what do sick kids get if they haven’t been accepted as a new patient with a doctor? They get the nurse practitioner or the ER. Can anyone explain this one to me????? In the meantime we’re sitting on the couch watching Elmo and waiting for the fever to subside. The nurse says his tonsils are HUGE and his throat a little red, but no strep. Must be viral. At least we got a recommendation for a new allergist and GI doctor for him!