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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want and Dr and not a Nurse when I ring for an appointment?

79 replies

M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:14

Rang the drs for my 18 week old.
The reception says 'is it anything a nurse can help with'
I say 'I dunno he was treated last week but he's got worse'
Reception: yes a nurse can deal with it.

What if she can't? What if he needs a dr?

Bloody ridiculous!!!

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a dr and a nurse practitioner?

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 08/04/2013 08:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovechips · 08/04/2013 08:18

If he was treated by the Dr last week then ideally he should be seen again by the Dr. Otherwise it's perfectly reasonable to see a nurse practitioner - most will have done a lot of additional training in history taking and examination and many have prescribing qualifications. They will also refer on to the Dr if the problem is outside of their competency.

doublecakeplease · 08/04/2013 08:18

Ring back and ask for a Dr. If a small baby has got worse since treatment then i think they need seeing by someone who can prescribe further treatment

Gorja · 08/04/2013 08:18

The nurse can check him out and prescribe medication if needed.
If the nurse can't diagnose or is unsure they will get the doctor to come and check. So if its needed the doctor will see anyway.

chickensaladagain · 08/04/2013 08:19

GPs oversee the nurse clinic and the nurse can call the gp in if they have any concerns

Nurse practitioners receive additional training and are good for sore throats, ear ache, uti etc

However if I had a baby that was seen by a doctor a week ago and is now worse, I would want them to see a doctor, I'm surprised the receptionist suggested it

doublecakeplease · 08/04/2013 08:20

Actually - thinking about it i suppose it depends on the ailment??

Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:21

The nurse in question is a good one. She is the only practitioner there. I'm just worried for him. He sounds like an 80 yr old man :-( his chest is sooo rattly, mucousy, coughing like a good one :-(

OP posts:
Bossybritches22 · 08/04/2013 08:22

At our surgery seeing the NP is a fast track to the GP if there are no appts!

Lovelygoldboots · 08/04/2013 08:22

The receptionist has decided this, because you weren't sure. I would ring back and ask to see gp as your ds is so little.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:23

He was treated for a Chest infection by a dr who was duty - kept getting knocking on his door and phone calls and that was within the 5 mins we were there. He listened his chest, checked his throat and ear and prescribed antibiotics - I expressed concern about the antibiotic as it would e the first time he would have had penicillin and DH and DS1 are allergic - dr said 'take them anyway if he develops a rash or allergies come back or go to A&E' so far he has been ok on them, just no effect at all and getting worse :-(

OP posts:
Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:24

Constantly on Neurofen and Calpol to bring temp down

OP posts:
ThreeWheelsGood · 08/04/2013 08:27

Getting worse? Why not follow doctors original advice and go to A&E?

BeerTricksPotter · 08/04/2013 08:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fishandlilacs · 08/04/2013 08:29

Youre not being Unreasonable but IME our nurse practitioner is nicer, has more time and is pretty damn good compared to the rushed dr's with no bedside manner.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:30

He's not worse cos of antibiotics. The antibiotics have taken no effect. He said to A&E if he develops allergy to penicillin.

OP posts:
Lovelygoldboots · 08/04/2013 08:31

Ring back and tell receptionist. I have been through all this with youngest ds. It's horrible, he had his first chest infection at eight weeks. Keep going with antibiotics until he is well. My ds is 5 now and seems to be a bit more resilient. He had endless chest infections as a baby and toddler. Also, ask whether you need some inhalers. Good luck, hope he feels better soon.

ilovechips · 08/04/2013 08:31

Threewheelsgood - I read that as GP said go to a&e if signs of penicillin allergy are seen, I think

Hope he gets better soon

ENormaSnob · 08/04/2013 08:31

So when asked if a nurse could help why not say no?

You had the opportunity to say you'd prefer a doctor Confused

Mountain out of a molehill.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:36

When she asked if a nurse could help I said he was seen by a dr last week but he's got worse.

When I ring up to make an appointment with a DR why can't I have one with a DR!!

OP posts:
doublecakeplease · 08/04/2013 08:38

ENorma - op is probably shattered and emotional. Sometimes when we're not feeling top notch it's not easy to male decisions - she's after advice and perhaps the confidence boost to ring back and ask without feeling demanding

ilovechips · 08/04/2013 08:40

Maybe you should've been more forceful with the person on the phone - I'd lay money on the NP putting you straight into Dr anyway given that the Dr prescribed the original treatment, so don't panic I'm sure you will get to see the Dr.

Lovelygoldboots · 08/04/2013 08:42

Whoever you see get him down there as soon as you can. It can take a while for antibiotics to kick in. But don't stop giving him the antibiotics.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 08/04/2013 08:42

I just called back and got a different receptionist. They are now fully booked. She said if nurse can't deal with it she will pass over to a dr. Or I could cancel my appointment and do what I did last week. Go sit and wait for a space to see the dr. Which last resulted in waiting 1 hour and 45 mins!! IV kept the appointment and hopefully something will be done.

OP posts:
WeAreEternal · 08/04/2013 08:44

Nurse practitioners are just as good as GPs, they can prescribe and diagnose.
You have to do a postgrad style degree to become a nurse practitioner, they are not 'just nurses'.

Tbh I prefer to see a nurse practitioner, they always give better advice and more practical advice that GPs who usually prefer to fob you off with antibiotics and try to get you in and out of the office as quick as humanly possible.

A NP will spend more time with a patient and actually diagnose them rather than just throwing them ABs and hoping for the best.

Sirzy · 08/04/2013 08:44

If he has chesty symptoms and antibiotics haven't helped it could be bronchiolitis which can't be treated anyway.

If he is has got worse and your worried I would be going to A and E though