Has anyone ever called 111 and NOT been told to go to A and E?

[riotlady]

I know they need to stay on the safe side but i feel like it’s their response to everything, which sort of defeats the purpose a little bit.

Had varying responses dependent, so no I wouldn't say go to a&e is the usual go to.
Most recently, an appt was made for ooh with 24 hrs for one of mine. Previsouly been sent an ambulance for severe vomiting and collapse after heat exposure for another DC. Been told to always come in b ambulance where asthma concerned, better they come and manage it or bring you in with medical aid on hand. Also had GPS sent to bedside in middle of night (at the time of the swine flu) for another DC.

It must be quite an art butterfly communicating, often through a third party, and with probably some difficult accents over the phone not being able to see the patient for yourself.

Me. The thing is I had a life threatening illness and needed to get to hospital. I now completely distrust 111, they could have killed me.

The nurse in a & e even said they send people who don't need to be seen all the time and people like me who need urgent care are told not to bother.

In answer to OP, me some years ago. When I had delayed concussion from being thrown from a horse onto my head and had a headache that wouldn't go away, felt drunk and was alone. The response I got was gold.
'If you lapse into unconsciousness be sure to give us a ring back'.

thisgirlcant

I will listen to what they say, and then be ruled by my own judgement, based on what they can't see, so long as they ask the major questions to ensure that kind of comment whydobirds never ever happens again either!

OOH for me. I’ve called numerous things. They only send you to A&E if pathways thinks that’s what’s best for you.
Just ask to speak to a clinician if you disagree.

Had a very odd response from them the other week. DS hurt himself playing sport one evening so I called hoping for some advice on whether we needed to go to A&E or just rest and see how he was in the morning. We went through the usual questionnaire and the person said they'd get try to get a clinician to call back but that if there was no one who could call us back within an hour they'd send an ambulance. I told them that it was clearly not a life-threatening injury and I was quite happy to drive him to A&E so really didn't want them to send an ambulance (simply because if there's an ambulance coming to us it probably means someone in more need is waiting longer). I couldn't seem to get them to understand this, and half expected a call from social services/GP to see if I was a neglectful parent who was refusing medical help for my child.

I have only been told to go to A & E once. The other times I was told which symptoms to watch out for/how long to wait before seeking medical help.

I’ve been referred to an out-of-hours GP for emergency appointments on a couple of occasions, and once told to make a routine GP appointment. A few times I’ve been sent to urgent care and just once have I been referred to A&E.

I've given up calling them now to be honest! It's usually always a recommendation for A&E if children are involved (when my gut tells me that's completely unnecessary), or not (when actually it'd have been helpful!) when adults are involved.

We don't call them anymore. Massive waste of tax payers money.

They always seem nice though!

I have seen some of these stats. 14% of calls to 111 result in an ambulance. Around half to ooh gp or regular gp appoinent. The rest is a&e, about 15%, usually children/babies , emergency dentist or pharmacist.

My son had swollen eyes and ‘Dr Google’ told me it was kidney condition. As it was a Saturday I called 111, they advised me to make a routine GP appointment for DS.
I then went to the pharmacy, got urinalysis dipsticks and confirmed he had an issue with his kidneys. Then called 111 again who agreed DA needed an OOH appointment, that Dr sent him to A&E and he was diagnosed with the same condition google had suggested!
I really should have gone straight to A&E or the walk in clinic as it would have saved lots of time.

Just to add DS had to stay in hospital and have multiple tests so did need to be there.

I called them when I was having a mc. They got a doctor to phone me back and made me an appt for the epu when they opened again. That was it. I think they said if I passed large clots I should go to a&e but there wasn't really anything else they could do.

I cancelled the apt at the epu because having been bleeding heavily for 3 days (bank holiday weekend, started on the Saturday), it was pretty clear what had happened.

I have used them quite often and find them helpful. Several times they have just given advice to manage at home, or booked ooh appointments. They also arranged for a non-urgent ambulance transfer when I couldn't have got myself to A&E. And sent an ambulance out to DH last summer, which turned out to be entirely appropriate.

I've been advised to wait and see and if no improvement see GP next day, to see OOH GP, to visit A&E (was appropriate). No complaints with the service.

I rang 111 when I should have rang 999.
(they said this, and we laughed when I said I didn't think it was that bad and would wait until my gp was open in the morning )
My whole face and lips were swollen, I'd had a severe allergic reaction. But it was the first time it had ever happened, I thought I was OK, when the paramedics turned up they took one look at me and rushed me to hospital.
With my dds it's never been go to A&E they've always been triage to ooh doctors.

I think it's a brilliant service to have, with every rash my dds have come out in they have managed to get her an appointment, and it's been a real life saver (mean literally) on some occasions.

Called 111 and when asked if DD (7) she needed to go to A & E, the 111 operator was quite patronising, 'oh, no, wouldn't waste their time...'

Suggested going to GP, which we did.

Eventually after 3 hours of trying to get a wee sample, and 40 degree temp, was referred to A & E.

Triage nurse demanded to know why we waited so long for treatment and she had a kidney infection.

Would not bother with 111.

we were given an ooo dentist appointment after an accident (advised by a&e to do so)

Yeah I called in the summer when I realised I'd been taking night nurse on top of paracetamol and didn't know whether I'd exceeded the safe dose (very stupid of me and I've been much more careful since). I spoke to a nurse who got me to talk her through what I'd taken and told me she thought I was within safe limits. She did say I should go to A&E if I started vomiting or feeling very unwell, but also reassured me that she didn't think it would be likely.

Yes, when I was pregnant, had been vomiting for days and had an underlying heart condition. I ignored their advice to 'stay at home and see how it went for a few days' and went to A&E. Interestingly, they took my vitals at triage and rushed me straight to resus 😱 (dangerous heart rhythm die to dehydration / uti).

I've only ever had to call them twice for myself.
The first time they offered to send me an ambulance to take me to hospital but I turned that down and asked DH to collect me from work and take me. It was a stress fracture in my foot, but one of the symptoms was showing up as a possible heart problem.

Second time, a doctor called me back and sent me to A&E. I'd been passing out with pain that was coming from my breast. This resulted in a 72 hour turnaround referral to the breast clinic. Thankfully turned out to be something else, but it surprised me how panicked the doctor sounded.

For DS, they've always managed to get us an OOH appointment which has been great.

we had a paramedic sent and ECG done, report sent urgently to GP.