to think the receptionist should have fitted me in?

[TwoTearsInABucket]

I went for my discharge appointment with the midwife today. DS2 is 11 days old. He has a cold and it has got worse today.
When I stripped him off to be weighed the mw said that he his breathing was a bit laboured and I should see the dr to get some saline drops.
I toddled off to reception at the surgery. I asked if I could see a Dr because my baby was not breathing easily, although he didn't have a temperature.
Her answer was: We don't have any appointments, ring tomorrow at 8am or ring 111 after 6.30pm.
So basically, even though its a very small baby with breathing difficulties, we can't help.
I was quite shocked, went home and DH was really cross. He rang the surgery and asked to speak to a doctor.(You can speak to a doctor, ie triage, after all the appointments have been used up.) Receptionist said no, DH said so I have a week old baby with breathing difficulties and you're telling me I can't speak to a doctor? Doctor rang back after 10 mins and told him to take DS2 in.

Luckily it really is just a cold, he is very snuffly and was starting to not feed properly because of his blocked nose. Dr said that a baby with breathing issues should always be seen. Receptionist obviously thinks otherwise.

AIBU to think that the receptionist shouldn't have turned me away in the first place? Or am I being PTB (precious third born) about it given that it is just a cold?

That's really bad - you were told by an HCP to take a newborn to a doctor and the receptionist thought she knew better? Good job it wasn't anything serious!

Every time I read some of the stories on here, I am reminded of how good our surgery is. There are always same day appointments with nurse practitioners - although you do need to call by 8.31am to get one - but in the past I have even turned up unannounced with a poorly child and been seen within 20 mins. (Picked up from nursery and had just got ill with v high temp and drowsy 10 mins before I got there - I drive past surgery so just stopped by).

Even if there are no appointments a same day doc generally calls back within the hour and can always make an appointment that day if it's needed. They will also do phone consultations if it is reasonably straightforward and issue scripts to pick up later that day.

Glad to hear your LO is OK.

The mw said I should sort something out there and then so that I would't need to sort something out in the middle of the night when DS2 might have got worse.

Her main thing about seeing the Dr was that she didn't think I could get saline drops over the counter for a newborn.

I have the drops now and they seem to be doing some good.

The receptionist wasn't even going to attempt to get a small baby seen, there were no appointments and that was that.

I would have been seen the same day if I had rung back tomorrow at 8am. But the mw said I needed to get the drops today.

Generally it is a good surgery. But no appointments obviously means no appointments for anyone.

Babies should always be seen.

DS was in scbu for a few weeks. Came home and I went to register him at the gp a couple of days later. Handed in the forms and asked for an emergency appointment as DS was snuffly and extra sleepy... was told 'no, not until the paperwork has been done' reception was really quiet so i explained he'd been ill, in scbu and was still only 4lb etc. Was told no... Paperwork...

I went home in tears and DS was re-admitted to hospital that night for 3 weeks :-(

Only just remembered about that - wish i'd gone back to speak to the practice manager.

A newborn baby should never be refused, even if it is end of surgery when they are seen.
You need to report the receptionist, so she doesn't do it again

that's awful Bob.

I agree with everyone else who has worked in surgeries - it should always be possible to fit in a newborn who is ill. I have seen babies go from slightly unwell to seriously ill in a matter of an hour or two. Please complain - if the receptionist does this to someone less able to stand up for themselves, the consequences could be awful. Hope your little one is feeling better soon

Friend of a friend's baby died in a similar situation

You must complain.