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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think getting to see the right people should be easier (NHS)

22 replies

lampygirl · 09/03/2016 12:23

Fractured my ankle last weekend skiing, was told by the Swiss doctors to contact my UK fracture clinic for a follow up X Ray at 7 days. Called my local fracture clinic from abroad, who said I could either try and get a referral from my GP or I could turn up in A&E. I've rung the GP who don't seem to understand how I can know I need an X Ray if I haven't seen my GP or been to A&E, in which case why would I need a referral.

I'm going to just have to sit in A&E, which seems like a waste of resources, or book an actual GP appointment, also a waste of resources, and means I will miss the 7 days unless I am lucky in the morning lottery, as I'm not in any pain and it is very much not an emergency.

I know who I need to see and what I need doing, AIBU to think it would be more efficient if I could just see the right person without wasting everyone else's time?

OP posts:
VoldysGoneMouldy · 09/03/2016 12:26

Did you not get anything in writing from the doctor you saw?

TBH it makes the most sense for you to see the GP really - otherwise you'd have people turning up at all departments sure they need to be seen.

CrushedVelvet · 09/03/2016 12:30

Go to A&E or minor injuries - somewhere with an X-ray machine. I went to GP with suspected cheekbone fracture and was just sent on to A&E - no point wasting time doing both. I was told A&E means 'accident & emergency' and was the right place to go for certain types of accident - esp broken bones - even if not an 'emergency'. They'll triage emergencies ahead of you.

wineoclockthanks · 09/03/2016 12:37

Do you have an urgent care clinic near you? They deal with the fractures and non-life threatening injuries.

Don't know how common they are though.

Original poster
lampygirl · 09/03/2016 12:57

I have a full report (in German) which states conservative treatment, elevation and follow up X Ray's required at 7 days and 4 weeks. These will dictate the level and timescale of including weight bearing.

Having researched online (only just got back) we do have a walk in centre, but it is in the same unit as A&E. It's more that the clinic themselves are suggesting that I need to go through services already overstretched to get into the UK system. It doesn't seem to make sense

OP posts:
AwakeCantSleep · 09/03/2016 13:07

The Swiss docs probably have no idea how the NHS works. Access to an x-ray machine is much easier in Germany or Switzerland - many resident doctors (could be GPs or specialists) have their own. Or share one in a consortium. Nobody goes to A&E just for an x-ray, unless it's a genuine emergency. Some resident orthopaedic doctors even have an MRI scanner.

I would go to urgent care clinic, or A&E if I was you.

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 09/03/2016 13:12

In my A&E (and every other one I've worked in), the triage nurse can refer straight for fracture clinic follow up. We probably get 1 or 2 people every week in exactly your situation. All being well you should be in & out quickly

Original poster
lampygirl · 09/03/2016 13:34

That's not so bad then. Every time I said I was going to A&E, I got the disapproving 'but it's not an emergency...' response. the Swiss care was fantastic, I've just felt very lost and turned away at all doors since back in the UK.

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 09/03/2016 13:37

DS2 broke his ankle on holiday in Cyprus many moons ago. We were told similar to you, but as they cut the plaster so he could fly home, DH took him to A&E. Once he was seen there we were given a totally different treatment plan to the one he'd be given in Cyprus.

SmellySourdough · 09/03/2016 13:47

had the same situation a few years back.
went to a&e who booked me a fracture clinic app at the reception. then took all the papers and images from europe with me with a rough translation that I did myself.
I then had similar apps as described: initial fracture clinic about a week after accident, then 4 weeks later to see the progress and then at 8 weeks for discharge.

Original poster
lampygirl · 09/03/2016 14:05

Thanks Smelly, is it better to go into A&E now to get my 7 day appt for Friday, or go in on Friday?? Will they be able to see me same day or will I need to go back to the fracture clinic a different day??

OP posts:
whois · 09/03/2016 14:12

Same thing happened to my DP. He went to A&E and was referred to the fracture clinic.

SmellySourdough · 09/03/2016 14:20

don't know, sorry.
I just hobbled in, got my appointment and hobbled out again after 10 min :o

TopHat33 · 09/03/2016 14:20

I went to GP with suspected fracture who sent me to A&E, who referred me to X Ray within the hour.

It wasn't an emergency - I'd fallen and couldn't weight bear on it.

Go to A&E.

TopHat33 · 09/03/2016 14:20

I'd go in on Friday if I were you.

SmellySourdough · 09/03/2016 14:21

I would go now tbh friday tends to be busier with school sports injuries

tiredgranny · 09/03/2016 15:02

Junior Drs are on strike. Our local hospital only taking emergencies.

SmellySourdough · 09/03/2016 15:32

totally forgot about the strike.
maybe it's possible to call to make an appointment?

Twinkie1 · 09/03/2016 15:56

They make you go through A&E or your GP to save already overstretched services from being inundated with every Tom, Dick and Harry turning up demanding an X-Ray , MRI or God knows what else.

tiredgranny · 09/03/2016 15:57

I think its 48hrs this time

Twinkie1 · 09/03/2016 15:58

Go tomorrow, if you've coped so far another day isn't going to make much difference.

Original poster
lampygirl · 09/03/2016 16:11

I can just go in on Friday. I am not in any pain, the main issue is I need to get back to work ASAP (desk job element at least) and have it in writing that I require an X Ray 7 days after the incident. I only got back to the UK yesterday late. I have phoned, and was told to go through A&E. If they can see me and get me through the system on Friday then all is good, but if on Friday they are just going to give me an appointment for next Tuesday its not so useful...

I'm going to get my DP to give me a lift when he gets home from work, in the hope A&E can just make me an appointment for Friday from the paperwork I have

OP posts:
Owllady · 09/03/2016 16:14

As a regular to orthapods clinic, fracture clinic does work pretty much how you say. You turn up and wait after being sent through a&e otherwise it will take too long. Just go to a&e

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