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.

[Chippednailvarnish]

Please complain OP! The poor treatment you received could have had serious repercussions.

[Bunraku]

He's perked up a lot on IV fluids and antibiotics the cough seems to have given respite for a few hours.

Only problem is I'm on a ward full of sleeping people which is dark, a bit scary for me, and it's silent all except for my little man chattering away waking everyone up :)

[pigletmania]

That's great to hear bun, yes complain to the practice manager, your treatment of your title one s disgraceful

[beitou]

2.5 year old pyrexic, rapid respiration rate, vomitting, drowsy, already diagnosed pnuemonia cant keep meds down then have no qualms and ring 999. We can give him 02 or a nebuliser to open his airways and get him in quickly.

[Secretswitch]

So glad to hear he is feeling a bit better. You must be utterly exhausted. Please look after yourself too.

[pudseypie]

So glad he's on the mend. Don't let them discharge him until he is properly looking better and don't be afraid to kick up a fuss if you don't agree - no one knows a child like the mother. My son has a chronic problem not yet properly diagnosed and I frequently have to kick up a massive stink to get him seen and fight for an xray and I've not been wrong yet. Been worth it every time. Hope you both got some sleep.

[TanteRose]

how is he this morning, Bunraku?

[Bunraku]

Unfortunately through the night he got worse again his temperature rose again and he is just lying there like a toy. His bloodwork shows a raging infection. The dr has been around this morning and apparently because his nappy is wet and he has drank some juice he wants to send him home this afternoon I'm afraid I was a little curt when I said that we would be staying until I was satisfied that it would be safe to take Him home. Maybe I'm wrong but I think it's too soon and I'm scared I will get him home and he will go back into the 40s and struggle to breathe again. I feel like I'm being obstructive but this is precisely how hospital practices killed my mum.

[Badvoc]

Bloody hell op!!
Please ask to see someone else. It is your right to ask for a second opinion. Hs he been seen by a respitory paed?
Ask to see the matron/ward sister too and make your worrie known.
Please please stand your ground.
This is shocking!

[Bunraku]

I'm sat here crying because my son has never been ill before and I just don't know what to do.

Last night my mil visited against my wishes because I knew seeing relatives would agitate my son, I wasn't bring unkind I also told my dad and my brother that they may not come.

She came in and started wailing about how worried she was and how she couldn't sleep for worrying so I never got a chance last night to express my own feelings. Sorry to ramble

[filee777]

Op this is dreadful :(

I hope your little man gets better really soon and you feel you can care for him at home. Well done for sticking your heels in and getting him the help he needs.
I think the best thing for him was a+e last night but I also think that doctors receptionist should have to do a years medical training before they are able to do the job. Some of them are just horrible and ignore serious issues.

[Bunraku]

Badvoc I am not leaving with him in this state of illness. I know in my gut he is not well enough to come home and so they will have to physically put me out because he's too small and too weak for me to be pissing about with this.

[Bunraku]

I'm going to draft my complaint while DS sleeps. I hope the surgery in question faces a metaphorical firing squad. This isn't the first time they have failed me.

[Badvoc]

Right...ask for the pals contact details and ask for someone to come and see you.
Pals - patient advice and liaison service.
This is dreadful.
Whereabouts are you?
I am pretty good at kicking ass!

[headsspinningforachange]

Good on you for refusing to leave, Id ask to see a different doctor as well .
How on earth they can consider sending you home when he us still so ill is ridiculous.
Hope your Ds starts to get better soon

[Sweetsweep]

So sorry for what is going on.

Personally, when things are improved, I would consider moving out of your area all together. I realise most people are unable to do that, or have family nearby or whatever, but the health of people you love is so very important, that if I were you, I would consider it.

[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 :(

[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.

[Sweetsweep]

Will pray for him and you x

[Bunraku]

Thanks everyone

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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?

[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