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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to go to A&E?!

24 replies

Meow75 · 27/08/2010 08:04

I've had an ear infection developing since Monday, no GP spots till at least Mon week. Even if I could get an emergency appt at the doc's on Tues, by Sun I'm going to be miserable.

Would you go to A&E even though I'm not currently in massive amounts of pain now, it's far more convenient to go this morning than 3am on Sunday!!

OP posts:
belgo · 27/08/2010 08:07

YABU of course but I understand why, the NHS sets itself up for inappropriate A&E visits.

IS there a walk in centre close to you that you could go to tomorrow?

Goandplay · 27/08/2010 08:08

You need a minor injuries / walk in centre. Have you tried seeing a pharmacist?

girlylala0807 · 27/08/2010 08:10

When I have had problems in the middle of the night NHS 24 have often been able to get me an out of hours doctor at the hospital without having to go to A AND E.

Maybe give them a phone? If they dont help you during the day try phoning back when the GP is shut and see what they suggest.

Goandplay · 27/08/2010 08:10

If I called our GP it diverts to an emergency out of hours service and you can see a GP at the local hospital. Does your GP offer this service?

TheChewyToffeeMum · 27/08/2010 08:10

YANBU to want to go but you should not need to.

Your GP has a duty to provide emergency appointments when they are needed, not the next week - phone them again and tell the receptionist it is urgent - you have an infection and are in pain.

(FWIW I am a GP and would much rather see someone as an extra added on to my surgery than waste A+E time and get a snotty letter from A+E about my patients wasting their time.)

Callisto · 27/08/2010 08:10

You would be very unreasonable to go to A&E. Is there no other surgery you can go to? Or talk to the chemist and see if they have any off the shelf remedies?

Ear infections are vile though, poor you.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 27/08/2010 08:10

A&E is inappropriate for a normal ear infection.

bigstripeytiger · 27/08/2010 08:11

This isnt an A+E thing. You will have a long wait if you go there.

Can you phone your GP practice and ask to speak to the practice nurse - if you do that and they think that you need to see a GP then they will most likely be able to organise it for you.
Or a pharmacist or a walk in centre if you have one near you.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 27/08/2010 08:12

No I wouldn't go to a&e (they probably won't give antibiotics for an ear infection in a hospital anyway - at least my local one doesn't without taking a swab first).

If it was bad over the weekend I would ring the out of hours gp's - they have a walk in service.

You could try NHS direct ad telling you where to get seen is their remit (rather than medical advice).

TheChewyToffeeMum · 27/08/2010 08:12

Forgot to say: once the GP is closed for the weekend NHS24 would be the way to go. This is exactly the type of situation they are set up to deal with.

Myleetlepony · 27/08/2010 08:22

Yes, ring NHS Direct, don't go to A+E. I spent 5 hours in A+E recently with my DP who was in a really bad way. Half the people waiting had nothing visibly wrong with them, and before I get jumped on, some of them clearly shouldn't have been there from their conversations. You earwig a lot of conversations when you're sat next to DP in a wheelchair for 5 hours...

mousymouse · 27/08/2010 08:26

I would go t a walk in centre.

Original poster
Meow75 · 27/08/2010 09:07

Ok, thanks guys. I've now FOUND my walk-in centre, so am on my way there forthwith. My doctor's surgery was not helpful. The stereotypical "bulldog chewing a wasp" on reception. I know time-wasters need to be dealt with but I don't have a reputation for this, and have been a patient for many years.

At least I now know where the w-i centre is!!

Also, I knew that A&E wasn't really what I needed, but was otherwise lost. This county's health service matches the rural nature of the landscape, IYKWIM!!

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
belgo · 27/08/2010 10:45

Meouw - hope you get seen. And write a letter to the GP saying exactly what you've said here.

giraffesCantDanceInBrokenHeels · 27/08/2010 11:08

get well soon

TheChewyToffeeMum · 27/08/2010 11:12

Yes, I second Belgo - if you think the receptionist was being obstructive write a letter to the Practice Manager to say so.

ethelina · 27/08/2010 11:15

What chewytoffeemum and belgo said. I also work in a surgery and would never leave someone without access to GP.

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 27/08/2010 11:24

Can't you just call the GP and ask for an emergency appointment?

Original poster
Meow75 · 27/08/2010 12:21

Belle, bulldog said no emergency spaces left for today - at 0855hrs. Tells me they need more emergency appt slots for Fridays, esp before a BH Weekend!! In Walk-in waiting room now, MNetting to pass time. Hope
my battery holds!!

OP posts:
bargainhuntingbetty · 27/08/2010 12:23

How did you get on???

PerpetuallyAnnoyedByHeadlice · 27/08/2010 12:25

top tip for ear infections - fill a sock or muslin bag with salt and heat it in the microwave as hot as you can stand it, then hold on the bad ear - the salt draws out all the goo and the heat is soothing

good luck!

sanielle · 27/08/2010 12:40

Glad you are giong to walk in centre, they'll sort you out . btw I have nothing but sympathy for you check my thread from 2 weeks ago!
here

abr1de · 27/08/2010 12:49

Good tip. Also try a drop or two of tea tree and lavender oil dripped into the ear. It stings a bit but seems to help a lot.

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 27/08/2010 13:47

Sorry, I must learn to read all of the thread. That's crazy, no emergency appointments at 0855! Shock

I hope you are feeling better soon.

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