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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:
IamInvisible · 22/04/2014 16:12

You've gone to A&E with an earache? Christ on a bike no wonder the NHS is in a state!

Sparklingbrook · 22/04/2014 16:13

usual I am of the same thinking....

shouldnthavesaid · 22/04/2014 16:13

What on earth do you actually expect A&E to do that you couldn't do? Have you tried OTC pain killers, hot flannel, etc?

Of course your child can be quietened. It's not hard. You distract and you make it plain that screaming isn't tolerated in public places. Ask for a rough estimate of waiting times and take her for a walk or something.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 22/04/2014 16:13

Oh cross post about the phone call. The GP receptionist was being an arse in that case.

Earache is agony so you do have my sympathy

Dumplings4ever · 22/04/2014 16:13

A&E with earache!!!

No wonder our amazing NHS is stretched to breaking point!

HoldOnHoldOnSoldier · 22/04/2014 16:14

Do Yourself and everyone else in A&E a favour (including the staff),and take your toddler to a pharmacy, get some painkillers and go see Your GP.

Original poster
Fuckingforriner · 22/04/2014 16:14

jersey no, no out of hours here.
Paracetamol is not enough. It's very painful. And I can't take other painkillers.

OP posts:
StillStayingClassySanDiego · 22/04/2014 16:14

If yoor dd is still howling get off Mumsnet and soothe her or push the buggy around.

You are going to be given a right pasteing on here, you do know that I assume.

SteadyEddie · 22/04/2014 16:15

Whenever I think about going to A&E, I always wonder if if fits into either of the categories. If it doesn't then its time wasting.

I have only been once as an adult, a couple of times with my children when they were really poorly/needed stitches. A screaming toddler will be a nightmare for the staff and the other patients and they probably wonder why you are posting on MN rather than trying to quieten her down.

Tweasels · 22/04/2014 16:16

I think that may be the intention StayClassy

rubyslippers · 22/04/2014 16:17

Could be toothache - that could give severe ear pain

Leave a & e

Get hardcore over the counter meds

Call and make emergency appt at dentist and one at your GP

You absolutely do not need to be at a & e for earache even if it is very painful

It is not an emergency of any description

Nowitscleanugobshite · 22/04/2014 16:17

You have taken paracetamol. Can't take other painkillers and have gone to a&e expecting....,,,???? An ear amputation??

shouldnthavesaid · 22/04/2014 16:17

Well if you can't take any others, what do you expect A&E to give you? All they can give are stronger derivatives of codeine and ibuprofen, which you're saying you can't take. In my experience they won't give you antibiotics, you'll be told to see your own GP unless (highly unlikely) the infection has spread to the bones around your ear (in which case I highly doubt you'd be legibly writing on here!)

lollipoppi · 22/04/2014 16:18

I'm still curious as to what you think a&e will actually do for your earache?

rubyslippers · 22/04/2014 16:18

I can't take codeine etc but paramol which you can buy over the counter are pretty good

devoniandarling · 22/04/2014 16:18

Is there nobody you could get to sit with your toddler? Or could you not distract her with some toys/books? I do understand how hard earache can be, I had an ear infection whilst pregnant and it affected me very badly. I could barely sit still the pain was so intense. However I would definitely take a couple of strong painkillers and wait for the gp/out of hours gp. A and e seems a bit of an over reaction.

As for the chip on your shoulder, perhaps you should try to be calm and understand that most people don't look at you as a foreigner, that is the way YOU are categorising yourself, and most people are not racist. You are looking for issues which are probably not there.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 22/04/2014 16:19

I would phone 111 anyway OP. In my experience they will get you an appointment with OOH's or tell you to phone your GP. If you phone back the dr's surgery and tell them that 111 have said you must been seen I guarantee you they will get you seen too!

candycoatedwaterdrops · 22/04/2014 16:21

Do you not have a walk in clinic anywhere near you? Even if you have to travel?

Sirzy · 22/04/2014 16:22

It's no wonder that a and e can't cope when people are going with an ear ache!

Don't complain about having to wait when your there with something so minor

Billygoats · 22/04/2014 16:22

You should have maye tried one of the walk in practices. I went to one last with dd when were visiting and we were waiting 20 mins tops. Every town that will have a hospital will have a walk in centre for cases specific to those like yours. Save you waiting in a and e when it's not an emergency.

usualsuspectt · 22/04/2014 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 22/04/2014 16:23

Tweasels Grin

Sunny20 · 22/04/2014 16:23

Seriously!? It's people like you who make the wait time even longer when there are people seriously Ill waiting to be seen. Please do the sensible thing & go to a walk in centre or ring 111. Hope you get sorted soon as I do know ear ache is painful however not an emergency.

chocolatespiders · 22/04/2014 16:24

You should have an out of hours go near you that you could go to tonight.
Hope the pain eases soon. Have you put cotton wool in it?

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 22/04/2014 16:25

My ears were fucked up the other week. Couldnt get seen by GP. I went off to the walk in centre 14 miles away before even considering A & E, what with it not being an accident OR an emergency