I’m a 111 Clinician ama

[111999A]

I’ve name changed for this as I don’t want it linked to my regular posting. I’m currently doing a temporary stint in 111 as a clinician so I’m one of the people who calls you back after you’ve been triaged by the call handler. As you can imagine it’s a bit busy at the moment.
I’ll do my best to answer any questions as accurately as possible.

Just wanted to say how amazing 111 have been on all the occasions I have had to phone them in respect of my mother

They get a lot of knocking

Is there any specific advice regarding COVID-19 for being pregnant? And also being pregnant and travelling to south of France in 5 weeks?

What qualifications do you have?

@Aridane Thank you.
@hertsgal No specific advice apart from wash your hands with hot soapy water very frequently and watch for any specific advice regarding your destination. At the moment it’s just all changing on a day to day basis.
@HouseOfCrayCray I’m a registered paramedic with over ten years of experience in a frontline role. Currently injured which is why I’m off the road.

It must be a very difficult job for you to do, as you are very reliant on asking the right questions and getting the right response.

Do you think 111 is used correctly?

@DreamingofSunshine It can be difficult but I’m used to taking a history and interpreting answers. It’s just doing that without being able to see them. Most of the calls are very similar to frontline jobs. People lie, misunderstand or are economical with the truth in every walk of life.
Is it used correctly? Difficult question, I’m constantly surprised at the lack of basic common sense which I think has got worse.
Equally I spend a lot of time assessing someone ( of reasonable age and fitness)and booking them an out of hours GP appointment which they can get to and have asked for and then they say ‘ oh I don’t want to leave the house’ 🙄 Often I’m not sure what people think we can do, wave a magic wand perhaps.

Gosh, I'd get really fed up with dealing with people like that!

I have another question if that's ok? Within the realms of realistic things (so no pots of money or magic wands) what is the single best change you would like for the NHS in terms of being a paramedic/111 clinician?

@DreamingofSunshine I think for everyone to have and keep reasonably up to date, a basic first aid certificate covering common minor illnesses and injuries as well as the essential CPR. It would save a huge amount of money and stress for everyone if people knew how to use simple home remedies for the common cold and tummy bugs in normally healthy adults and children. They wouldn’t then feel the need to call 111 or, in some cases, 999 for a blocked nose or for D&V lasting 2 hours.

How much do you get paid?

do you think that video skype would be useful so that you could actually see the patient?

@111999A You people do amazing work. I've used the service on a few occasions for my dc and the help and reassurance I have received has been outstanding.

My question is do 111 call handlers actually NEED to be nurses/paramedics/pharmacists or is this just because the public “like” this? When I’ve called it seems that the call handler is simply following an online flowchart, which anyone could do.
I am not in any way meaning to be rude, and thank you for the work you do - I’m just curious.

I've been a 111 health advisor (call handler) for the last 5 years. Tough job, a lot of rude people but also a lot of people who are very grateful for our help.
Our clinical advisors are brilliant and I've learned so much from them and the job in general.

@111999A thank you for the work you do plus doing this on here
I've had odd discharge lately, thought it might be implantation bleeding, but passing old brown tissue at one point, and a dark red bit, it's mostly light tinted watery stuff which has now stopped.
I can't get a gp appt until Saturday, I'm in no pain, guess I should just wait for that? My periods due 8th March.
If I'm taking the P, just ignore me and I'll wait till Sat. I gave up waiting on 111 yesterday due to the coronavirus craze Xx

@Egghead68 I’m not a call handler, the call handlers answer the call and triage it according to a system written and designed by doctors. This then gives them a disposition which can vary from homecare to a Category 1 ambulance. Less serious calls are given a cat 3 or 4 ambulance and go into a queue for someone like me to call back and dig a bit deeper. I have a lot more freedom as to how I word a question so I can rephrase things if I sense I’m not being understood. I can then refer back to the patients own GP if it’s within normal hours or to OOH if outside GP opening hours. I can also refer to A&E but by the patients own transport.

@BoucleEponine I’m a Band 6 paramedic so about £33k with unsocial pay on top. My salary is a matter of public record. I don’t think it’s a bad salary although there is a huge amount of responsibility even more so out on the road.

Oh this is interesting!

Personal advice: I sprained an ankle 3.5 weeks ago felt something pop/bang when I turned it - it's still really sore and swollen. (I just took painkillers and rested it a bit rather than waste people's time) Should I see someone or keep on with painkillers etc.

Job related: what's the most rewarding bit of your job, do you ever hear the outcomes from the people you speak with?

@TheCatServant I’m not sure video would make that much difference. You still wouldn’t add the gut feeling that we ignore at our peril. You get a slight sense of that on the phone but the real deal is when you’re there in front of a patient and you can almost taste it. Most of my jobs on the road are very similar to 111 jobs, minor illnesses and social care but every now and again something tells you to step up a gear and the air almost becomes supercharged. Video wouldn’t do that although it would be good for rashes I grant you.😀

What do you prefer - on the road or in 'there'?

(Knowing full well you're probably itching to get back on the road.... seriously would drive me insane being there..... fellow paramedic 😉)

@hiphopapotamuses and @CheekyMango
I’m really sorry but it would be hugely unethical for me to give medical advice without doing a full assessment. I would love to but it wouldn’t be safe.

No problem at all ☺️ thought that'd be the case Xx

Don't worry - I'm more interested in the rewarding bit of your job (now my foot is up! )

@FrankiesKnuckle Yes I would love to be back out there but it’s been very humbling to do a stint on the phones. Like a lot of paras I’m ashamed to say I was rather contemptuous of 111 and this has opened my eyes to just how bloody hard they work and how much they divert from us. It has improved my assessment skills too, removing one sense hones the others I’ve found.

Thanks @111999A. I didn’t realise there weren’t just call handlers at 111.

@111999A Fair point, although I've still not forgiven 111 for telling a pt* a few weeks ago that 'the ambulance crew can tell if you've miscarried or not'
*apparently 😡