To understand why people turn up at A&E or call ambulances

[Bunraku]

Rather than going to their gp?

My son was taken to hospital last night after NHS direct advised an ambulance should be called as his temp was reaching 42 and his breathing was rapid.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics on discharge but this morning he seemed zoned out, weak and couldn't stop coughing and vomiting so the medication won't stay down and nor will any fluid.

I asked my gp surgery for an emergency appointment but as I moved a few days ago the receptionist refused to even converse with me. She just said "use your own catchment, ok? Bye."

The gp in my new catchment wanted me to "pop down" to fill in forms and provide ID ect and wait for them to file it and accept us as registered, to which she added it was unlikely anyone would be available anyway as they were busy.

My son fell asleep while I was calling around and he really does need some rest as he has been up all night coughing and vomiting so I am keeping a close eye on him. The second I sense anything wrong I will be presenting myself at A&E again but I'm so angry that my gp would just refuse us when we have just moved and have not had time to sort these things out yet.

[pudseypie]

Brilliant news!

[SultanaSpeaks]

Awww, I love a happy ending. May he continue making a full and rapid recovery. I expect you need a rest now, yourself, OP! So glad it ended well.

[TanteRose]

Been thinking of you all day - great news!

[Lweji]

:)

[dojonoodle]

The main problem seems to be that the hospital discharged your son too early.

Good news that he is getting better.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Bun - oh, that's good news. Well done!

[Badvoc]

That's great :)

[VestaCurry]

Super news

[CinnabarRed]

Great news! Really pleased for you both.

[Bunraku]

The good dr came back to see me today and he says DS chest is clear and the infection is leaving. His temperature is normal and steady, he's eating drinking and using the toilet and racing around and so we are going home this evening after one more round of anti b's :)

Thank you all for your support and giving me the strength to feel confident to speak up :)

[Misspixietrix]

Oh Well done OP on telling that Doctor! Wish I had your resolve when they discharged my DD early than they should have done. Thankfully she was okay but I will remember your assertiveness in any possible future scenarios. As someone ease said they do it to try and clear the beds. Me and a poorly Dd had to wait In the playroom whilst they ordered more meds replacement meds for the ones that went 'missing' after they took them off me for Safe Keeping! because they needed her bed :( Glad your Ds is picking up. Hope he continues to do so and you keep getting the good docs!

[FossilMum]

I'm so glad he's improving, and that they're keeping him in to make sure. Hope you can get some much-needed rest tonight.

[Musicaltheatremum]

Just a point made earlier by 1979(locum GP). GPs aren't obliged to provide care for you for 7 days after you move unless you are in the practice area in which case you could/would stay with them.


The 7 day obligation is if you ask someone to leave your list because of problems and they aren't moving house. There is a duty of care after this. But I would still give telephone advice and point in the right direction.
(I'm a GP too, partner for too many years to remember)

[pudseypie]

So glad you managed to see a good doctor. Hopefully your ds will just get better now and finally receive the treatment he needs and only be discharged when the time is right. Hope you get some rest tonight, easier said than done I know in hospital!

[Lweji]

That's good. :)

And I hope your LO gets better soon.

I have had to return to A&E once within the hour once when DS had bronchiolitis. He seemed fine after inhalers, but of course got worse soon after. As usual.
And pester the doctors on the first ever episode, as he was getting worse while waiting for hours just to be seen by the triage nurse. (bloody receptionist)
And then the doctor told me that sometimes some babies don't recover. DS was not that ill and had just been admitted for tests.

Breath...

[Badvoc]

Great.
I think he needs to be in at least another 48 hours.
Ask what the NiCE treatment guidelines state for dc with pneumonia. That should make them sit up and listen.
I'm afraid hospitals these days try and get people home far before they should be. Pressure for beds etc.
However, none of that is your problem and your son needs to be there.

[Bunraku]

I've just had a wonderful wonderful doctor come to see me with a couple of med students so i took the opportunity to harass him with concerns. He listened thankfully and said he will have a word because he feels that DS should stay 24-48 hours more. :) his stats are coming back down into the normal range too and he's drinking

[pudseypie]

My ds at 18 months had to have 48 hours iv antibiotics and a normal temperature before the hospital would discharge him with bacterial pneumonia. If his blood markers are still high then he should be there. Can you demand to see a more senior consultant?

[FossilMum]

You're right to insist he stays in at least 1 more night, especially after being through what the hospital now recognizes as an overly early discharge once already. The wet nappy just means the immediate risk of dehydration is gone - good in itself, but not good enough. You quite rightly want to be sure he's fighting off that infection before he stops the IV antibiotics. Keep insisting, even though you shouldn't have to. I hope he improves soon. Make sure you get some nourishing food into yourself too.

[becsbornunderadancingstar]

Thinking of you and your DS Bunraku. Hope he gets better soon. You've really been let down by the GP and it sounds like the hospital were a bit hasty in discharging him in the first place. Your MIL sounds like exactly what you don't need at a time like that!

[Itstartshere]

So sorry you're going through this, how worrying. It sounds like he shouldn't be going anywhere for now, he sounds really unwell. I'm sorry they're letting you down so badly.

[Bunraku]

Thanks everyone

[Sweetsweep]

Will pray for him and you x

[HeGrewWhiskersOnHisChin]

I was really embarrassed when turning up at A + E with my DS who was ill but the GP refused to see him.

I thought they would diagnose a virus and turn us away for being silly (like every GP I have ever been to see has done) but the staff at the hospital were brilliant.

They took us seriously and even kept him in over night, even though by the evening he had perked up a bit and I knew that actually he would be okay.

I would now tell everyone in that situation to bypass the GP and go straight to the hospital if you are concerned.

OP I am sorry that the treatment you've received at your hospital has not been great.

[Badvoc]

Ok...e mail the gp practise manager and say you are making a complaint of clinical negligence against the dr and practise. That should get the ball rolling.
Sadly I have recently had to do this :(