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AIBU?

To understand why people turn up at A&E or call ambulances

116 replies

Bunraku · 16/09/2013 12:50

Rather than going to their gp?

My son was taken to hospital last night after NHS direct advised an ambulance should be called as his temp was reaching 42 and his breathing was rapid.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics on discharge but this morning he seemed zoned out, weak and couldn't stop coughing and vomiting so the medication won't stay down and nor will any fluid.

I asked my gp surgery for an emergency appointment but as I moved a few days ago the receptionist refused to even converse with me. She just said "use your own catchment, ok? Bye."

The gp in my new catchment wanted me to "pop down" to fill in forms and provide ID ect and wait for them to file it and accept us as registered, to which she added it was unlikely anyone would be available anyway as they were busy.

My son fell asleep while I was calling around and he really does need some rest as he has been up all night coughing and vomiting so I am keeping a close eye on him. The second I sense anything wrong I will be presenting myself at A&E again but I'm so angry that my gp would just refuse us when we have just moved and have not had time to sort these things out yet.

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AnyFucker · 16/09/2013 12:51

That does sound shit.

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littlemisswise · 16/09/2013 12:54

First thing I do when I move is register with a GP. Last time we moved the lorry hadn't even pitched up and I was at the surgery filling in the forms.

Sorry your son is ill, I do hope he is better soon.

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PostladyPat · 16/09/2013 12:56

YANBU as in some parts of the country GPs are like yours.

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Birdsgottafly · 16/09/2013 12:56

My pneumonia was com

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PostladyPat · 16/09/2013 12:56

Can you go to a walk in centre? I hope you son feels better now by the way.

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KeemaNaanAndCurryOn · 16/09/2013 13:00

That's not good service - GPs see visiting patients all the time.

Hope your kid is on the mend soon.

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Birdsgottafly · 16/09/2013 13:00

Sorry, my pneumonia was completely ignored by my GP.

I worked in palitive care at the time and knew that I didn't just have recurring chest infections.

Some types of pneumonia cannot be heard and are underestimated by GP's, I was told twice that if my stats dropped any lower, I could of died.

I would go back via A&E and insist on another chest x ray, if he continues to be very unwell, rather than the GP.

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ErrolTheDragon · 16/09/2013 13:02

That's appalling.

Once your DS is better, and you've registered with a new GP (TBH I'd ask your new neighbours for recommendations, there's usually more than one in each area and the one you spoke to sounded poor), you should write a complaint to the former GP practice. That receptionist behaved appallingly.

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becsbornunderadancingstar · 16/09/2013 13:03

If you do need to go to A&E explain to them what happened with your GP surgery. The first GP could have seen you and just asked you to move from their practise after the appt. The second GP could have seen you as a 'temporary resident' and asked you to fill in forms afterwards. A&E might even contact the practice manager about it.

But actually your DS sounds really poorly - how old is he? If he's got pneumonia and not keeping medication down A&E doesn't sound like an over-reaction to me.

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Bunraku · 16/09/2013 13:07

The nearest walk in is across the city from me and is usually full to bursting. My DH is home in an hour so I think we will head back to A&E regardless. I want him on an IV before it's too late because he's just so weak. He's 2.5.

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Bunraku · 16/09/2013 13:09

I will be complaining about the practices once my son is well but it seems to be a pattern with gps in this city.

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headsspinningforachange · 16/09/2013 13:12

I'm surprised they didn't keep your Ds in with him been so young .

Id definitely go straight back to A&E as pneumonia is not something to be taken lightly.
My Ds has had it 6 times & has always been kept in hospital while he has had it .

Hope your Ds recovers soon Flowers

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Owllady · 16/09/2013 13:13

I agree with you, I can understand why people would go to a&e if they felt so ill and the dr wouldn't see them.

A child with worsening pneumonia who isn't responding to treatment IS an emergency though. When I had pneumonia it didn't respond to the first teratment, so I had to go back to the GP who prescribed something else but said if I got any worse I had to call 999. I would assume this would be the same with anyone with the condition

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FossilMum · 16/09/2013 13:14

The GPs sound rubbish. More importantly, however, if your son is that unwell and is vomiting up his antibiotics I think you should take him back to A&E anyway. Now. Good luck.

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ErrolTheDragon · 16/09/2013 13:16

A&E sounds like the right place for him - not sure whether even a good GP would be too helpful in this case.

Time was for a very poorly kid you'd have got a house call and then the GP would have rung the ambulance if s/he thought it was required. Sad

Hope you get some treatment for your DS soon.

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Mumsyblouse · 16/09/2013 13:17

I also wonder if you should go now if he's going downhill. Just go to A and E, don't wait for your husband, just meet him there (if you can).

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Badvoc · 16/09/2013 13:17

I think a and e is exactly the right place for him tbh.

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MrsSchadenfreude · 16/09/2013 13:19

I took DD1 to A & E on Saturday evening as her asthma meds really weren't working. There is, apparently, a walk-in centre near me, but the NHS website didn't provide either the address or hours. I was asked, having told them, and given all of her details, why I had brought her in. Err... she can't breathe? And the oxygen levels in her blood - which you have just checked, are low... What else was I supposed to do?

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Leverette · 16/09/2013 13:19

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AnyFucker · 16/09/2013 13:19

I think you should go back to A+E, love. Don't take any chances.

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MrsSchadenfreude · 16/09/2013 13:22

OP - take your son back to A & E.

My mother is severely allergic to wasp stings. She lives very close to her local GP surgery, so popped down when she was stung on a Saturday morning (they have a surgery then). They refused to see her - would not even let her in the door, just dealt with her via the intercom. She collapsed there and another patient called an ambulance for her. The surgery were unapologetic, just told her she should have called an ambulance in the first place!

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becsbornunderadancingstar · 16/09/2013 13:24

Aw, only 2.5? Poor wee mite. Can you call your DH to get him home earlier so that he can take you? Definitely go to A&E. If they give you any shit about 'why have you brought him' explain about what happened with the GP. But I don't think they will. So sorry he's so poorly, hope he's better soon.

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Badvoc · 16/09/2013 13:24

2.5?
Take him to a and e or phone an ambulance.

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pudseypie · 16/09/2013 13:26

I think you should go back to a&e too now. My ds had pneumonia a few months ago and they kept him in hospital on iv antibiotics even when his temperature was almost normal. The gp missed pneumonia three times in 2 days that I took him to gp until I finally got him into the paediatric ward who spotted it instantly. So i wouldn't trust a gp with this. Hope he's better soon

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OHforDUCKScake · 16/09/2013 13:28

Hea tiny, and he hasnt got meds in him.

Take him to A and E.

What can the GP do?

If he cant keep the meds down, likely he needs IV antibiotics. Which e GP cant do.

Wrap him up and take him in ASAP.

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