Should I talk to GP surgery about their paramedic?

[Interpink]

My son, 16, ASD, was seen by out of hours doc on Sunday because his temp kept spiking and was 41 at one point, despite alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol. The On Call GP examined him, took BP and SATS and declared he had a chest infection and gave him antibiotics.

Nect couple of days were rough, he was coughing up green and yellow, aching, and the ABs seemed to kick in about lunchtime Monday and his temp finally dropped. But it kept spiking and by Weds he coughed up phlegm with blood in it. We were told to speak to pharmacy by the 111 service, pharmacist said he must be seen so this morning we had appointment at the GP surgery but they only had a paramedic available.

The paramedic, without examining him at all said it was a virus, “because if it was bacterial then the antibiotics would have fixed it, wouldn’t they?”

I said no, what if that particular antibiotic was ineffective on whatever pathogens were in there. He said no, penicillin works on 80% of bacteria. So it was absolutely viral. So I said no you can’t say that for sure. He begrudgingly examined him and said his chest sounded “fairly clear” and that his temp was normal. It was 38.3 so clearly not normal. His Sats were fine and he didn’t mention BP or ask about any other symptoms at all.

Then he laid into me about how over prescription of ABs will lead to the next pandemic (despite Covid being a virus) and antibiotic resistance is a real problem. (And yet is 80% effective)

And he said “ you’re not a doctor” and I said no, I’m not. He said what would you like me to do? I said I’d like him to consider a broader spectrum AB or the same with a higher dose or one with a longer half life, and a sputum sample for culture. Then he said that AB response is not dose related.

I showed him the photos of the blood coughed up by my son and said I wasn’t happy to leave it as he is and his current course of ABs runs out tomorrow and so he wrote a repeat script of the same AB and the sample went off for culture.

I went back to pharmacy to pick up the prescription and the pharmacist was horrified but not surprised.

Should I mention to the surgery that this paramedic doesn’t know what he’s on about?

Yes. Nicely in an email. Just the bare facts.

Not trying to be inflammatory, but 'what would you like me to do' is normally health care professional code for 'you clearly have an agenda, just tell me what it is'. I suspect there's perhaps two sides to this.
(Not agreeing with the actions btw)

Oh he had a tone alright and kept talking over me rather than actually listening. I got the distinct impression he wasn’t used to being corrected, especially by a woman, but that might be projection.

As we left he said “have a lovely rest of your day.” I said thankyou, you too. But we both know he meant “Sod off smart arse.”

I am not at all convinced paramedics should be in GP health care, I always end up going back after seeing them at our surgery as I haven't been treated correctly. One said to me the lesion on my lip absolutely wasn't skin cancer as it wasn't behaving like it . It was only because a nurse happened to come on the room and asked if he knew how to do an urgent referral to the hospital dermatologist that I got seen. There have been other incidences too.

Absolutely fantastic in emergencies but not so much with day to day GP stuff imho.

I would email.

I would just move on with my life, personally. But I wouldn't be trying to tell a medical professional how to do their job in the first place.

Ordinarily I wouldn’t. But it was plainly nonsense he was telling me.

@TheTowerAtMidnight @Interpink I do think though there's is benefit in asking for an explanation of why someone's deciding not to do something so you can understand the thought process, I think patients/representatives should feel comfortable to ask and have open discussion, as let's face it we all do lots of googling and then think well they didn't even do xyz etc (when in reality it might not be right in a certain context) but, I think there's a distinct difference between this and just coming across as rude and accusational.

But yes, if he did actually say those things it's bullshit, and would be worth bringing up.

agree with this

I have a disproportionate amount of experience with illness and I would also be asking for a broader spectrum antibiotic.

I think the facts alone will be enough to get your point across. The paramedic didn't handle this one well. My mum has seen a paramedic a couple of times and they have been very good. But unfortunately on this occasion this one doesn't sound good.

Hope your son feels better ASAP.

“And he said “ you’re not a doctor” and I said no, I’m not.”

I’m surprised you didn’t follow up with “and neither are you!”

Hope your DS is feeling better soon.

@PithyScroller yes agree
@Interpink yes, agree let your surgery know, nicely in an email.
If no one says anything, about unprofessionalism because that’s what it was, it will just continue.

We now get referrals into our service from paramedic FCP’s. The absolute nonsense they refer with and lack of basic anatomical knowledge is astounding. We’ve had to raise serious concerns about both of them, yet they blunder on. It’s a classic case of a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing 😢

Hope your DS is better soon!