Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to a&e?

36 replies

NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:06

Well yes I know I am but at my wits end.

I hurt my foot about 4 months ago. Still hurts, got an x-ray through GP and turns out that it is broken - displaced fracture (and something todo with a tendon I didn’t quite understand). The GP said they were urgently referring me to the fracture clinic.

I rashly thought urgent would mean in the next few days. But that was over a week ago and I’ve heard nothing.

I’m going slightly crackers does anyone know how long an urgent referral to the fracture clinic might take?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Longma · 20/07/2024 10:55

Meowzabub · 17/07/2024 21:12

I don't know what the a&e could realistically do. In all likelihood, you'll wait 8 hours just for them to poke at it, maybe wrap your ankle, and tell you to talk to your GP.

Have you got crutches to take the weight off it?

Edited

A&E seem to be better placed for fracture clinic referrals ime. Also helps that in our hospital the two departments are right next door, do if the fracture clinic is open and your broken bit isn't too affected by excess swelling they can sometimes refer you to be seen that day.

Unknownsecret · 19/07/2024 12:19

NotSureHowToProcess · 19/07/2024 11:08

Yup 3.5 months was a typo I meant after breaking my foot. IYSWIM

finally got hold of someone yesterday - the fracture clinic did do a virtual clinic and referred me for surgery they just put my form in the wrong pile so forgot to phone me to say what was happening.

hurrah!

Ah that makes more sense! Good luck with your surgery.

wheretoyougonow · 19/07/2024 12:06

Thanks for coming back and letting us know. Good luck with the surgery.

Original poster
NotSureHowToProcess · 19/07/2024 11:08

Yup 3.5 months was a typo I meant after breaking my foot. IYSWIM

finally got hold of someone yesterday - the fracture clinic did do a virtual clinic and referred me for surgery they just put my form in the wrong pile so forgot to phone me to say what was happening.

hurrah!

OP posts:
10storeylovesong · 19/07/2024 10:47

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

lazzapazza · 19/07/2024 10:41

I cannot help with advice but I wish you all the best for a quick recovery.

BeaRF75 · 19/07/2024 09:59

Going to A & E would be completely pointless, so don't waste their time.
You just have to wait. If anything, make a call to follow up the referral.

Cheeesus · 19/07/2024 09:55

I think it’s a typo for ‘3.5 months later’.

OP did you find out where your referral is?

Unknownsecret · 19/07/2024 09:52

NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 22:00

Went to a&e 4 months ago after walloping my foot, because a toe felt very much in the wrong place (for want of a better way of saying it ).

Got told it was a toe, not important, please wear sensible shoes and go away. They didn’t x-ray.

i went to the GP 3.5 months ago because still very painful. They sent me for an X-ray which which shows a a smooshed foot with a piece not in the correct location. (Sorry can’t remember the technical terms). Presumably it will need pinning. But I just want the process to start.

Show quote history

Ok .. so you’ve been waiting 3.5 months for fracture clinic referral??

RandomUserName96 · 17/07/2024 22:35

Ring the hospital/fracture clinic

Original poster
NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 22:00

Unknownsecret · 17/07/2024 21:51

Sorry I’m confused … has it been broken for 4 months? And you’ve only just got it looked at now?

Went to a&e 4 months ago after walloping my foot, because a toe felt very much in the wrong place (for want of a better way of saying it ).

Got told it was a toe, not important, please wear sensible shoes and go away. They didn’t x-ray.

i went to the GP 3.5 months ago because still very painful. They sent me for an X-ray which which shows a a smooshed foot with a piece not in the correct location. (Sorry can’t remember the technical terms). Presumably it will need pinning. But I just want the process to start.

OP posts:
Unknownsecret · 17/07/2024 21:51

Sorry I’m confused … has it been broken for 4 months? And you’ve only just got it looked at now?

Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 17/07/2024 21:50

That was meant to say 'ortho unit'. Excuse my fat fingers

Original poster
NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:49

Purpletractor · 17/07/2024 21:35

I’m an A&E dr. Our fracture clinic is next day. Even at W/E Or BH. Call the fracture clinic.

Thanks! I shall be phoning everyone tomorrow.

OP posts:
Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 17/07/2024 21:49

I am a senior manager in surgical services. The vast majority of oryjo units run a virtual fracture clinic since covid. They receive referrals from ED of anything vaguely orthopaedic. They review xrays or other imaging taken in ED and the consultation notes on the VFC and formulate a plan. If the correct management advice had been given in ED then you may just recieve a letter or even a call from a junior doctor or nurse practitioner. If you have anything that looks more complex or hasn't been managed appropriately they will call you in. This could be for further imaging, to see the consultant or for casting in the plaster room. I would expect that you would have had a plan within 72 h either way.

I would call the fracture clinic in hours tomorrow (you can get them through switchboard) and ask to speak to the nurse in charge. She/he will be able to confirm if your referral has been received and discussed. She may ask an ortho practitioner or registrar to call you back.

Sites that don't have a VFC effectively have to see all referrals as they don't know what needs their attention, and should appoint you within a week at the absolute max.

BlueMum16 · 17/07/2024 21:41

NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:23

12 days! Yeesh. I clearly do not understand the word urgent.

Can you phone the fracture clinic to ask? Could it be the letter is in the post?

RainbowSlidders · 17/07/2024 21:40

dd broke a bone recently, fracture clinic was next day. She was seen in the fracture clinic plaster room for a temp cast during her A&E visit.

dizzydizzydizzy · 17/07/2024 21:36

I has a stress fracture a few years ago the GP took about a week to send odd the referral. Once the hospital received it, I had to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment.

Purpletractor · 17/07/2024 21:35

I’m an A&E dr. Our fracture clinic is next day. Even at W/E Or BH. Call the fracture clinic.

ItsVeryHyacinthBucket · 17/07/2024 21:30

NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:13

Gosh sorry to hear about your son. Hope he is ok.

Thank you he’s less in pain than he was, which is a blessing.

Not waiting til October for treatment though - hopefully my husband’s work policy will cover.it.

hotmammamia · 17/07/2024 21:30

NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:22

Thanks. Should I have been clear I’m definitely not going to go a&e I’m just whinging.

have crutches, have pain meds have comfy shoes. What I don’t have is a working foot.

I would definitely chase the GP tomorrow and if there’s still no joy you can always self present at the fracture clinic. I had a broken wrist in April and was waiting not so patiently for a referral for 2 weeks. (I play sport professionally and was keen to get back to it asap so I could start rehab etc) self presented at the fracture clinic and they gave me an appointment for the next day.

it’s awful being in pain so sending a hug too:(

thecrowshaveeyesbebe · 17/07/2024 21:27

I broke my ankle earlier this year - did get taken to a&e as couldn’t get up from where I fell. They strapped it up and then I was on the urgent list for an op to pin it all etc. it was over 2 weeks til I got my op so potentially could just be the wait time but I would definitely speak to your GP.

Original poster
NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:23

12 days! Yeesh. I clearly do not understand the word urgent.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotSureHowToProcess · 17/07/2024 21:22

Thanks. Should I have been clear I’m definitely not going to go a&e I’m just whinging.

have crutches, have pain meds have comfy shoes. What I don’t have is a working foot.

OP posts:
Lemonychocolate · 17/07/2024 21:17

My appointment was 12 days after I went to a&e, but I did get the appointment arranged within a week