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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

111 a little over cautious

48 replies

TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/03/2019 16:17

I've called 111 for DD to try and get an OOH dr appointment, she had a very high fever and chest cough which in turn is making her breathe faster and harder.... they're sending an ambulance. 🙄 I did tell the person that it really isn't necessary, I wasn't worried about her breathing that much and if they felt hospital was necessary I could drive her down. They said nope, it's on the way. I feel like such a fraud.

OP posts:
Verynice · 23/03/2019 16:19

Yes, they can be overzealous... Oh well, not much you can do now, as if you don't go they'll say you're neglecting your child!

Quartz2208 · 23/03/2019 16:21

How old because high fever and breathing difficulties does need seeing

Funkaccino · 23/03/2019 16:21

Well it's not great but you didnt order and they are used to it I'm sure with 111 calls. Hope dd feels better soon.

Sirzy · 23/03/2019 16:21

How old is she?

If you have phoned to say someone has breathing difficulties then they are right to be overcautious.

CheekyChappy710 · 23/03/2019 16:23

They did this exact thing with my daughter, exact same symptoms as you describe. They took her in everyone was quite laid back at first then the worried looks and extra checks began. She had every score card tick for sepsis. Turned out to be a kidney infection, chest infection and UTI in one. Still bad and worse than we initially thought (we thought it was just flu but phoned 111 after her temp spiked to 43C with calpol and nurofen!) So honestly they're not being over zealous a lot of the time.

MaryBoBary · 23/03/2019 16:23

This happened to me on Sunday - said I could drive myself somewhere but was told they needed to send an ambulance 🙄 I was very embarrassed and begged them not to have any sirens on when they came down my road.

They ended up taking me to A and E and I had a really bad infection which needed immediate antibiotics. I had no idea and only rang because I thought I was having side effects from a new medication and wanted advice on whether to keep taking or not. So don’t feel bad, they would rather it be a wasted call than for something to be missed.

Original poster
TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/03/2019 16:24

She's 3

OP posts:
CheekyChappy710 · 23/03/2019 16:24

Oh and my daughter was 2 when this happened.

PuzzledOfPuzzledom · 23/03/2019 16:27

You did the right thing, you called 111 for advice and their advice is that an ambulance is needed. Trust them to make that call, even if they are erring on the side of caution. Hope your little one is on the mend soon.

Quartz2208 · 23/03/2019 16:29

Ambulance is recommended for breathing issues

Ithinkmycatisevil · 23/03/2019 16:29

Sending an ambulance is kind of their default position. No one will mind and at least you'll know that your dd is ok.

Buddyelf · 23/03/2019 16:32

This happened to me although DD was under 1. Phoned as her temp was high and her breathing was wheezy - the person on the phone was really alarmist and really frightened me. They called an ambulance and I had a small ambulance turn up and then a proper ambulance turn up. It was croup.

Original poster
TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/03/2019 16:36

She's had this a million times before, I'm 99% sure she's just got a virus and a bit of a wheeze but I guess they need to be safe than sorry. My neighbours will love a bit of drama.

OP posts:
Random18 · 23/03/2019 16:44

So they’re sending an ambulance - and you are on Mumsnet whilst waiting for it?

Most likely she doesn’t need an ambulance but they have questions they ask and the answers you gave made the computers say ambulance.

hereweareyes · 23/03/2019 16:48

I hear what you’re saying OP but if I had to make a decision over the phone about a 3yo with breathing difficulties, I’d go for the ambulance every time. Flowers

Lily715 · 23/03/2019 16:48

The service is run by non medical people so if you say breathing problems they will send an ambulance just like if people say chest pain they will send an ambulance.

Dyingforchocolate · 23/03/2019 16:51

I think if you say you have breathing problems then they need to send one. Can you imagine the hell they would get if they didn't send one for breathing issues and it was genuinely needed. I hope she feels better soon

BiscuitDrama · 23/03/2019 16:54

Is she breathing harder and faster, or just with a bit of a wheeze?

Original poster
TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/03/2019 16:57

You're all right of course, they have to be cautious. I answered all their questions honestly and that's the advice. I'm not skating the service at all. The NHS are amazing and they keep my eldest son alive everyday, it was more just a thought as I'm sat here waiting with DD asleep on me.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 23/03/2019 16:57

She's 3, if she's working harder to breathe then she's better off being checked out. We've had ambulance out before though 111 mad they've checked DS out but not taken him in, and they've checked DSout and insisted he went in. It's the best call

EnglishRose13 · 23/03/2019 17:02

I was once sent an ambulance for a headache. I just wanted advice about other drugs or combinations of drugs I could try (it had been four days by this point!)

Funkaccino · 23/03/2019 17:33

How are you getting on op?

Bambamber · 23/03/2019 17:38

Young children can deteriorate very quickly. Better to be over cautious than under when it comes to breathing. A similar thing happened to my SIL, she was concerned about the breathing but not that concerned. They sent an ambulance and he was admitted to hospital for a week with pneumonia. He was put on oxygen as soon as he arrived. I don't say that to scare you, it's just sometimes being over cautious does turn out to be for the best

Original poster
TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/03/2019 17:41

They're not here yet, DD is still the same, a little cooler maybe now Calpol has kicked in.

OP posts:
Verynice · 23/03/2019 17:58

They might give her a nebuliser in the ambulance which will make her breathing easier until she can be checked out.

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