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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate a and e?

271 replies

Fuckingforriner · 22/04/2014 15:53

I'm waiting at the a and e in at the moment and I hate it.
I have a toddler who loves to scream all the time and I have everyone looking at me as if I can stop the toddler from screaming.

I've got an earache since Friday and when I tried to get to my GP today I was offered a telephone appointment. My phone rang three times and they hanged up as I was picking up the phone.

I'm in a lot of pain and when I get to the reception I found a rude woman who happen to be a nurse. I might be wrong but I noticed she was friendlier to other patients, maybe she didn't like my face, but I can't help thinking it's because I'm a fucking foreigner.

OP posts:
GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 22/04/2014 15:55

Why are you in AnE then? HAve you spoken to someone from the surgery/ had the phone appointment/ seen someone?

A and E is for emergencies, not for when the doctors is busy!

MaidOfStars · 22/04/2014 15:56

You've gone to A & E with earache?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 22/04/2014 15:58

Why didn't you phone the surgery back after they'd tried to contact you?

MrsMalReynolds · 22/04/2014 15:59

How exactly is earache an Accident or an Emergency?

Maybe the "rude" nurse was pissed off with time wasters?

Youdontneedacriminallawyer · 22/04/2014 15:59

I can understand that you're in a lot of pain, but A&E is for emergencies and people who have had accidents, not for earache, and it's not really the place to sit around with a difficult toddler either, as you're finding out.

I doubt the receptionist was rude because you're a foreigner, though obvs can't vouch for the her being racist or not. It's more than likely because she's fed up with a stressful job in A&E, when she knows she has to subject people to an xx hour wait.

Are you sure you can't stop your toddler from screaming? Did you think to bring anything to entertain him during the long wait? Is there anyone who could come and pick him up for you and take him away? Or alternatively, would it be worth trying GP again? A nurse might be able to help, if the GP is busy.

mumeeee · 22/04/2014 16:01

She was probably rude as you have gone to A and E with an earache. You should have phoned the ssurgery back when you missed the calke

lollipoppi · 22/04/2014 16:01

Maybe everyone is looking at you because instead of playing with your toddler to stop the screaming, your on your phone posting on MN?

Also, what do you expect a&e to do about your earache?

ItsSpringBaby · 22/04/2014 16:01

You really don't need to go to A&E with earache! Bit silly really. All they are likely to do is take temps etc, perhaps give you some painkillers and tell you to see your GP.

NurseyWursey · 22/04/2014 16:02

From your username it would seem you're a bit put out by this imagined 'foreigner' business.

It's awful when you're in pain but it's not an emergency.

JerseySpud · 22/04/2014 16:02

Most likely shes pissed off that you are taking up a place in A&E that could be for a real emergency. Its earache.

JerseySpud · 22/04/2014 16:03

And if you have had it since Friday do you not have out of hours doctors over there?

SteadyEddie · 22/04/2014 16:06

Agree with the others, its not because you are a 'foreigner', but because you are a time-waster.

notthegirlnextdoor · 22/04/2014 16:07

Pharmacy First, anyone?

If I can't get a GPs appointment my second port of call is any of the local Pharmacies. They can assess and give painkillers till you can see a GP.

Sparklingbrook · 22/04/2014 16:07

So many questions....

gamerchick · 22/04/2014 16:08

i don't know what you want the hospital to do though? 2 fizzy co codamols in warm water will kill it in about 10 minutes.. you really need to see your gp.

Original poster
Fuckingforriner · 22/04/2014 16:09

AnI didn't get to speak to the gp because as I said the phone only rang three times and I didn't have a chance to answer the phone. I called back and the receptionist said I had missed my call and I had to wait until tomorrow at 2pm. Trying to get her to understand I'm in pain was like talking to a robot.

I'm in unbelievable pain so I'm not a fucking time waster, I couldn't sleep last night and I can't talk properly or eat anything because it hurts to chew.

I've called my local a and e before going to the hospital and they were the ones who suggested I should get my arse to a and e.

I understand working in a people facing role can be very stressful but like I said, she was friendly to other white people and asked me 'what do you want' when I got there BEFORE she knew what was wrong with me or if it was my toddler the one who needed to be seen...

And yes, once toddler gets started there is nothing that can make her quiet. If I knew I would have done it already. And AFAIK there is nothing 'wrong' with her, it's just her 'personality'.

OP posts:
Tweasels · 22/04/2014 16:09

It will definitely be because you are a Foreigner. The NHS is notoriously racist. Not a single black face amongst their staff.

Scoffalotachocfortea · 22/04/2014 16:11

Maybe you could ask them to take a look at that chip on your shoulder too while you're there.

shouldnthavesaid · 22/04/2014 16:11

Unless you've potentially fractured your skull or have had a head injury, you really have no need to be in A&E.

And speaking from experience - when I've been ill in A&E (actually properly ill, and waiting to be admitted) and when I've been sitting in A&E for hours waiting on my mum (who's again, properly ill and brought in by 999) a screaming child would send me bonkers.

Give her a sweet or something if you have to, don't bloody let her scream in an environment where most people are worried, in pain or distressed.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 22/04/2014 16:11

Why didn't you phone 111 and get an out of hours appointment or phone the doctors back? I have missed a GP consultation before by phone I just phoned back and receptionist informed the GP to try me again?

A&E for earache is a bit much really. You will be such a low priority you could be there hours

EvaBeaversProtege · 22/04/2014 16:12

Hope you're seen soon.

It must be awful for so many sick/in pain people having to listen to your toddler scream.

NCISaddict · 22/04/2014 16:12

Have you tried proper painkillers? Ibuprofen and codeine? Not surprised the nurse was pissed off with you, it's not an emergency.

usualsuspectt · 22/04/2014 16:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Doristhecamel · 22/04/2014 16:12

I would leave A&E and go back to your GP or find a walk in clinic.

Earache is not an sccident or an emergency.

I would put my money on the nurse was more pissed off with you going to an already over stretched A&E department with earache rather than the fact you are a foreigner (as you put it yourself).

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 22/04/2014 16:12

You could be there a while, get to a chemist and then go to a walk in centre if there's one by you.

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