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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the hospital should have prescribed calpol for my baby?

157 replies

PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 10:17

Ds3 is 9 months old and was admitted to hospital for the 2nd time on Monday in the last few weeks. He has a nasty chest infection, oral thrush, ear infection, tonsillitis and a viral wheeze. He was admitted via our walk in centre as his sats were very low.

Fortunately after nebulisers and inhalers he was ok and we were able to being him home with a prescription for thrush medicine and inhalers. We were told to give him dioralyte as he has diarreah and was a bit dehydrated and paracetamol for pain relief.

I had used the last of our calpol just before we had for to the doctors so I asked if we could have a prescription to get some more. I had spent over £10 on a taxi to the hospital as there were no transfers available and needed to spend the same amount to get back and I didn't have any spare money with me nor in the bank as I am broke until Friday.

I was told they wouldn't prescribe paracetamol or dioralyte as they were available to buy in boots (over £3 each) I did explain that I didn't have enough money and just got a shrug and a sigh. They eventually wrote a prescription for one sachet if dioralyte but not the paracetamol.

I could have used the taxi money to buy some but didn't want to take a sick baby on 4 buses in the dark, he was only wearing shorts and t shirt as we hasn't expected to be sent to hospital.

I called my mum and asked her to get me some medicine for him and luckily she could.

Should the doctor have prescribed pain reliefs and dioralyte?

OP posts:
AwkwardMary · 28/03/2012 10:46

I think they were mean....it's down to luck OP....I was once given a prescription for three bottles of the stuf when DD had a fingernail infection...no emergency and she was not a baby either...but aged 6. Where are you op? I am sure someone nearby could bring you some calpol?

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 10:46

Thanks for the get well soon wishes for dc3, I really hope he feels better soon as its awful to see him unhappy. Really unfortunate for him to have so many things at once, plus teething. We go through 15 nappies minimum a day with him at the moment (we have given in a poo sample to be tested) and his bum is all blistered and sore (have canestan for it)

OP posts:
pengymum · 28/03/2012 10:47

if anyone uses 'normal' paracetamol, DO check the strength first so that you are giving the correct dosage for infants. It is very easy to get it wrong. I would only do this if 100% sure that it was correct. I used the Calpol 6+ melt in the mouth tablets for my children as they didn't like the liquid but I checked the dosages with pharmacist first.
Apart from that YANBU - the hospital should have given you enough medicine for at least 24 hours so that you could get to pharmacy. That is what has happened whenever I have had medication prescribed at hospital as an adult. I would expect at least the same for children especially as you explained your situation.

betterwhenthesunshines · 28/03/2012 10:47

I think if you asked, then they should have been able to give you some to tide you over. You sound like you've had a difficult few weeks. But if you really can't afford £1.50 for medicine if children are ill towards the end of the month then perhaps you do need to look at your finances and try and build up a mini emergency pot?

wannaBe · 28/03/2012 10:47

My mum used to work in a gp surgery, and she said the amount of people who demanded prescriptions for calpol was phenomenal. So yes, I think people do have a sense of entitlement that the nhs should foot the bill for their OTC medication.

I think at most the hospital could have dosed the baby up there and then and then it would be the op's responsibility to get calpol after that. It certainly isn't the nhs' responsibility to pay for paracetamol.

AwkwardMary · 28/03/2012 10:48

Methe when you are on the bones of your arse and on a low income even GETTING to Tesco is nigh on impossible.

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 10:48

Thanks AwkwardMary, my mum has bought us some round so we are ok Smile

OP posts:
Cherriesarelovely · 28/03/2012 10:50

Becarooo that is a good idea, think i will do that myself today.

griphook · 28/03/2012 10:50

unless things have change you can't buy diorlyte for children under two over the counter it has to be on presribtion.

I don't think yabu to ask for calpol in an emergency

AwkwardMary · 28/03/2012 10:51

Oh I see your Mum got you some....good. I do think they were tight...I would do as someone suggested and try to get a big bottle in and see that youve always got some....it's one of those things isnt it? You dont need it a lot but then when you run out it's horrid.

We have an emergency tin OP...we put in 50ps and try not to touch it...then change it to fivers when we can...we try to keep it at the 50 pounds mark....not often that we manage it but sometimes even a tenner in there can be a life saver. We won't touch it for normal things at all...it's strictly for emergencies.

MadameMessy · 28/03/2012 10:52

Actually, I've reported kals post, I can't get over how dangerous that advice is. NOBODY TAKE THIS ADVICE

Original poster
PleaseLeaveVictor · 28/03/2012 10:54

I will definitely stock up on Friday. I'm not normally so broke but its the end of the month and the pot is empty for a few days. The amount of nappies we are getting through is phenomenal, the canestan is £9 or so a tube and it all just adds up. Everything will be back to normal on Friday .

OP posts:
MushroomGeorge · 28/03/2012 10:55

pleaseleave at our pharmacy there is a thing called 'care at the chemist' you can get calpol, brufen etc there.
dd was poorly a couple of weeks ago and I called in to buy some calpol for her, got it free. Could you ask at you local chemist?

GladbagsAndYourHandrags · 28/03/2012 10:55

YANBU, I think they should have prescribed it for you. Children are supposed to get free medical treatment on the NHS.

I once asked for a painkiller prescription for a small poorly DC and was told 'no, we like you to buy that yourself,. We think of it as your contribution to the NHS' - what as well as all the tax I pay?!

Kellamity · 28/03/2012 10:56

Me too Madamme, very poor advice

HorribleDay · 28/03/2012 10:57

Sorry your baby has been so poorly - how tough for you. I'm in the 'should have prescribed a few satchets of dioralyte and a small bottle of non brand paracetamol to tide you over' camp but no generally I don't think any OTC mess should be prescribed Inc for children. I do however think some meds (and sun cream) should be available v v cheaply (headlice stuff etc).

And kal I've reported your absolutely stupid and dangerous post. You could kill a child that way - how you you calculate 120mg from a 500mg tablet? It's not even a quarter of a tablet (just short). Absolutely ridiculous. Please don't anyone follow this dangerous advice.

leftmysociallifeatthedoor · 28/03/2012 10:57

Not sure if yabu.

Why are people saying they have 4 bottles sitting which they have prescribed and wondering on the cost? You dont HAVE to get it you know?

StealthPolarBear · 28/03/2012 10:57

I think in your circumstances and similar they should make an exception. In general though I agree they shouldn't be doing this. I have had ibuprofen for DS before on prescription. At the time I was hugely grateful because it was midnight and nowhere was open. But I did hvae calpol (they just said ibuprofen would be better) and I would ahve been happy to pay for it.

scuzy · 28/03/2012 10:58

am shocked at MN this morning.

one poster said that anyone who suffers from pnd IS WEAK

and now someone recommending to crush normal adult paracetemol and dose their own child?

has the world gone mad! have you any idea Kel how fuckin dangerous that is? you should be reported in RL if that is what you are doing to your child!

HorribleDay · 28/03/2012 10:59

Oh and try zinc and castor oil cream (cheap as chips in chemist) over the top of Canasten x 2 daily, and at each nappy change - works way bette I've four than sudocreme or metanium.

tantrumsandballoons · 28/03/2012 10:59

I really feel for you op, I don't it's bad money management, you can have the best money management skills and keep to a budget but you can't predict an emergency.

I don't think OTC medicines should be prescribed all the time but I am surprised the hospital ignored your request when you explained your financial situation, I think they should have made an exception.

scuzy · 28/03/2012 10:59

*kalshirata, not kel

tantrumsandballoons · 28/03/2012 11:01

Oh and crushed up adult paracetamol?

Please don't EVER do that

soverylucky · 28/03/2012 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pengymum · 28/03/2012 11:02

I think it is wrong to have to pay for children's medicines when they are supposed to get free treatment on NHS. If not then it should be clear and everyone treated the same, not free prescription painkillers for some and not others.