As a middle aged mother of 6, I've never been to A&E, dont know if I should go today?

[PeppasNanna]

More of a WWYD then AIBU, Sorry!
I think I've broken my finger. I hit it off a door frame last night. Instantly I had a searing pain in my hand.

Went to bed got up this morning to a swollen, blue & very sore finger.
Is it worth going to A&E?
I've strapped my fingers. Taken nurofen. Its still very painful.

What else should i do?

Typically crap timing. Half term & going to a wedding in a few days. Million things to do rather then sit in A&E!

Is there a minor injuries unit near you? Usually much shorter queues than in A&E, but if its broken it does need strapping properly so it mends straight

I would go to A&E. Just occasionally they need treatment other than strapping up. If nothing else then you can ask for stronger painkillers!

Do you have a nhs walk in center/ minor ailments place near you?

Nope no minor injuries or walk in centre locally.

In that case I would probably go to A&E. If you go this morning it will probably be pretty quiet.

I did this last holidays (mum to only 4!). As I was cleaning the oven, I bit of oven cleaner flicked into eye! Worth going to checked out! Could you ring your gp and ask for advice??

Is there a triage number you can call attached to your a&e department? They might be able to advise if you should go in or not.

I would probably go, yes.

Yep, go get it seen to.
I broke my finger last year (slammed it in a gate at ikea ) and didn't bother seeing anyone at the time. It now has a funny bend in a place it really shouldn't, and I don't have much movement in it.

Can you move the finger normally?

I cant go anywhere til this afternoon as all the dc are at home so will need to organise childcare.

A queuing system on both the GP and local A&E phone systems.

I will try & ignore it as much as possible. I will go this afternoon if its no better. Ive already cancelled our plans for today.

Feeling rather guilty & bit stupid!

I cant bend it. Im feeling increasingly sick as well

Sounds like an A&E jobby

If you turn up with 6 kids in tow this morning, I suppose its possible you might get seen quicker, if only to free up some chairs in the waiting room. Call it an anthropological field trip.

go to a minor injuries unit , you will likely get seen faster too

Can you rig a sling out of a bit of fabric until you're seen by medics, or just hold it at opposite shoulder level whenever possible, keeping it elevated can stop the throbbing pain which can reduce the sickness feelings too.

Definitely go to A&E, if you wait for a GP appointment they will probably send you for X Ray and they may then send you on to A&E if there is a break. I found Naproxen (prescription) when I broke a bone in my foot.

Sorry, meant to say found Naproxen a good pain killer..

Thank you all for replying!
I feel like a real plonker!

Do you all reckon they will just strap my hand up? They wont put it in plaster... Will they?

Don't feel like a plonker - they will have experienced far worse - but definitely go and get it checked. This time of day isn't usually busy.

Unlikely to be plaster but they will x-ray and put in one of those straps on a bandage things - depends what the break (if a break) is like. Good luck.

Yes! You've got broken fingers!

When you go, go prepared for a wait. Take a book, kindle, drink, snacks and money, including change for the machines.
Besides, Sods Law dictates if you go in weighed down with enough stuff to sit out a siege, you'll be seen straight away

Insurance question -if my finger is broken, am i insured to drive?