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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think a minor injuries unit at a hospital should be staffed with people can prescribe medication?

146 replies

Theincidental · 26/07/2014 19:32

I have a nasty insect bite with bad swelling and this morning I went to my local minor injuries unit 15 min drive away to check it wasn't infected (which I think it is) and to see what I may be able to take to ease the swelling. My whole upper arm is a balloon and blistering.

The place is only staffed with non prescribing nurses who offered me only off the counter strength piriton which renders me insensible.

There was no examination of the bite, and no other treatment available because the staff were not qualified to prescribe anything at all. I was effectively told there's nothing to be done and don't worry about it, despite giving a history of allergic reaction to bites.

My ooo gp is 45 min drive away and a & e is about 1 hour 20 mins.

Aibu to think that in an area so far away from emergency services (we have helicopters for dire emergencies) the hospital unit for cases just such as mine should have properly qualified staff to help people?

OP posts:
Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:05

Thurlow and sassy - that's exactly what I think - you've put it so much better than I did.

OP posts:
nocheeseinhouse · 26/07/2014 20:06

So, she in fact didn't say you need steroids now. She said, watch and wait.

So... you attended somewhere, got advice, and treated according to guidelines (by the sounds of it, the nurse explained these), and yet still you came on to moan? I started out unsure, now I'm certain YABU.

Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:10

Nocheese - she said the government guidelines we're watch and wait. I don't think she proffered her view at all. She simply said she couldn't prescribe.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:10

Were not we're

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 26/07/2014 20:11

Insect bites and scratches? No wonder nhs cannot cope. It's not a bottomless pot of money.

Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:16

Yep, just a little scratch this... Hmm

Aibu to think a minor injuries unit at a hospital should be staffed with people can prescribe medication?
OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 26/07/2014 20:19

The NHS is going to hell in a handcart - it cannot win. We have facilities that are far superior to most other countries and STILL people grumble. You have an insect bite - yes it looks nasty and painful but it may well heal on its own - most do. The NHS simply cannot afford to treat stuff like this over a 'watchful wait' approach.

arethereanyleftatall · 26/07/2014 20:20

I've had two very similar this summer. I'm not trying to be obnoxious, but I think these bites look far worse that they are. If the nurse has said watch and wait, then that's what I would do. Obvo if you start to think cellulitis or get feverish etc, then a&e. But, mine looked like that and they just went away after a week.

pudcat · 26/07/2014 20:23

With a bite like that and piriton not working I would now go to A and E.

Ilovenicesoap · 26/07/2014 20:24

That is not minor- you have cellulitis.
Please get off this thread and go to A&E and get treated.
I would be surprised if they didn't keep you in for IV antibiotics.

mousmous · 26/07/2014 20:26

yanbu at all.

and the 'not looking at things' gets my goat as well. when dc first had asthma the gp didn't look at them, just got the prescription out without even listening to the chest.

shouldnthavesaid · 26/07/2014 20:27

You should have gone to A&E first. Nurses are not doctors. Steroids are strong medications that can cause serious reactions and need to be prescribed only with genuine knowledge of a patient's medical history (which is more likely to be available in the hospital, from experience).

Anyway, you certainly need to go to A&E now - that needs immediate treatment.

Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:28

I can't go to a & e now. I have taken the piriton which makes me nauseou and I can't drive. I also have a 3 year old with no one else to care for him except me.

So, pre-empting my poor reaction, I went to minor injuries for treatment and followed their advice...

I will have to go to ooh tomorrow when they open at 11 and wait for at least an hour to see anyone.

OP posts:
Pobblewhohasnotoes · 26/07/2014 20:29

Um...I think you need A&E and possibly IV (if not oral) antibiotics. Looks like cellulitis. Draw round it to see how much it's spreading.

arethereanyleftatall · 26/07/2014 20:31

Try not to worry then if you can't get there till tomo. As I said upthread, I've had two horsefly bites in the past month, both looked like that, that red, that large, and both just cleared up. They were really hard too.

Selks · 26/07/2014 20:39

Bloody hell! That is a very severe reaction! I come up like that and it is not to be taken lightly - it is a severe allergic reaction. Is it still spreading? Draw round it with a pen so that you can see if it is. If it is still spreading, go to A&E. If not, you're probably ok to see your GP tomorrow.

Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:47

Yes, it's still spreading. I just checked the nhs cellulitis page ... It says go to GP or minor injuries clinic! Oh the irony!

I'm now feeling a bit scared as well as cross. I truly can't do anything until tomorrow unless I start feeling seriously unwell in which case I'll find someone to get out of bed and come help.

OP posts:
TheBogQueen · 26/07/2014 20:49

You know that if you phone 111 they can advise on best place to attend .

I used to phone ahead to MIU to ask staff if they could take a case... Otherwise it was usually A&E.

An example was a man who had cut his foot quite badly and it needed stitching - we tried MIU but nobody there able to stitch do it was 60 mile drive to A&E.

TheBogQueen · 26/07/2014 20:50

Op - why not phone and see if you can get OOH appt? To see GP?

arethereanyleftatall · 26/07/2014 20:53

Can I ask any of the posters saying it looks really severe, if they have ever seen a horsefly bite? Because as i understand it, they all look this, and they mostly are no problem whatsoever. I think you are scaring the op, which isn't good!
Poor op, I bet you are wishing you never started this thread!!

Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:55

Actually yes, I am going to phone 111 and see if there is any further advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theincidental · 26/07/2014 20:57

And thanks arethereanyleft.

OP posts:
TheBogQueen · 26/07/2014 20:57

Good idea - they might be able to give advice fir overnight of a referral if warranted - good luck

Glastogirl · 26/07/2014 20:58

I would get it looked at tonight it if I were you!

I don't want to scare you with what happened to my dad but
We almost lost him because he wouldn't go to A&E.

macdoodle · 26/07/2014 21:01

Umm hold on a sec, I am NOT diagnosing over the phone, and if you feel you need medical attention then seek it please.
However am curious as to the medical training and experience of those who are panic scaremongering that it is cellulitis needing IV abiotics??
Because to my trained and experienced eye it looks like a nasty histamine reaction (probably a horsefly).
We definitely overtreat insect bites in this country with everyone insisting on abiotics (for everything, wish theyd just make the bloody things available OTC then everyone could take them for everything, and it wouldnt be my battle anymore).
Also abiotics wont kick in for at least 3 doses ie 24-48hrs, so really its not going to instantly cure you tonight.
Are you unwell, toxic, temperature, vomiting, shaky, rigors etc.
If you are not sure then FGS see a dr, dont depend on a bunch of mothers on the internet.