A&E/GP/keep at home?

Ah I’m glad he’s ok!
@rememberallball it’s a fair comment that different areas do things differently, my asthmatic kids have been admitted directly to the children’s ward a few times, the most memorable the first time my DD had an attack where the GP drove us himself because the ambulance service were so backed up.

Thanks everyone for the responses!
Went to GP early this morning who admitted him to hospital straight away (as @OwlBeThere) said.

He's okay now- they're saying tonsil infection though which seems odd to me with the symptoms he's having seeming more chest related!

I'd go to a&e if he is struggling, poor we thing, hope he feels better soon.

How is he doing now op?

Poor thing, how old is he?

I would go to A & E hope he feels better soon xxx

@OwlBeThere, at my hospital you would not get directly into the children’s ward unless a child with complex needs that has a direct access letter from a consultant.

In this situation going to A&E would be quicker as the child would be triaged and then referred to relevant team for treatment.

I’m going to say call the gp, if there’s no luck 111. They sent the paramedics to us on Saturday night, for almost the same reason, but didn’t want us to wait 4+ hours at a&e. Luckily the paramedics were able to stabilise our baby’s temperature and sorted his chest out so we avoided a&e all together.

If he's sucking under his ribs, he needs to be seen ASAP as he's not moving enough air. He'll probably need a course of Prednisolone steroids & regular blasts of a ventolin inhaler until the inflammation calms down enough for his airways to open up properly again. How old is he? If he's young, I'd say A&E as they can deteriorate rapidly. I say all this as a mum of a now 12yr old who used to suffer from viral induced wheezey chests very badly when he was a toddler & ended up in hospital countless times. Hope your little one is much better very soon. X

Forget 111, they are as much use as a chocolate teapot.

If you speak to the GP they can tell A&E that you are on you way but I hope you've gone to see somebody already.

Also you’ll get treatment quicker at A and E for example if he needs a nebuliser or steroids they can administer it straight away as opposed to having to wait round for a prescription from the GP. I have a feeling a GP would send you straight to hospital with those symptoms anyway.

I’d go to the GP as they can get you straight to the children’s ward bypassing the long a&e wait. Or I’d ring 111.

Just to be clear I only suggested GP as in my case it's very likely the appointment would be 8.30. Which would be much quicker than a&e.

Sorry, 111! The police won't help 🙈

If you can get a 9am appointment it would be quicker to see the GP than A&E at this stage. I'd ask for the first going appointment with GP and prepare for A&E. If first appt with GP is after say 10am I'd just go straight to A&E if it were me. You may want to go straight to A&E anyway and that's fine.

Has he been assessed for allergies/asthma? A cough shouldn't last three months.

Phone 101 - they'll assess his symptoms and advise the best action to take. It's what they're there for.

A & E, definitely. I hope he’s okay.

When we went to the GP with DD sucking in under her ribs the GP called an ambulance - it can be serious.

Just go to A and E, they’re always happy to see a child and make sure they’re ok. These things can deteriorate quickly too so I wouldn’t wait about for a GP appointment, just take him straight up to be seen now. Hope he’s ok

Repeating the call to go to a&e. Sucking in under the ribs or at the clavicle both signs that children are struggling to breathe.

What time does your surgery open? Mine would probably give me the first appointment if I explained on the phone which wohld likely be quicker than a&e. I'd ring as soon as they open and see what time appointment they offer. If it's much later on this afternoon, I'd consider a&e.

Agree with above a&e if sucking under ribs.

A&E if he's sucking in under his ribs.

He definitely needs to be seen today.