To not be surprised people go to A&E and call ambulances overnight?

[SinkGirl]

DT2 has chicken pox,DT1 had it two weeks ago,

Today he’s gone downhill gradually and from 7pm onwards he was crying nonstop. At first I thought he’s just itchy and distressed, gave the last of the day’s calpol at 6:30pm so couldn’t give any more. By midnight we’d tried everything and he was screaming and hitting himself in the head. He has ASD and is nonverbal so can’t tell me how he’s feeling, but this is not normal for him.

Still, he only had a slight fever at this point, no other signs of infection etc. My main concern was something potentially causing a headache? So I figured I’d call 111 for advice. Called them for DT1 a couple of weeks ago but it’s the first time I’ve used the service for years.

Took 15 mins to get through to someone and she could hear DT2 screaming in the background. She sounded concerned and tried to speak to a clinician but they were all busy, so said they’d call me back.

At 2:10 he finally dozed off, for 20 minutes, then woke up screaming again. Dozed off again at 2:45, 111 called back just before 3am. I told them he had just fallen asleep and he’s dozing in and out but very distressed when he wakes. They can’t assess him while he’s asleep so they say I either have to wake him or close it. They get me to agree I have no current concerns and close it and tell me to call back if I’m worried. Of course 5 mins later he wakes up again very distressed, then settles again. Now I’m faced with either another wait of several hours, at the end of which he may be asleep again, or just waiting for GP to open. If he had a higher temp or other worrying signs I’d go to A&E but I understand why some people would have gone already.

People get crap for bypassing 111 but honestly I’m not surprised they do!

I’m sure they must get all sorts of annoying idiots through their door and I know they’re under serious pressure. I’m just frustrated by the experience generally. There’s so much about avoiding A&E unless you’re basically dead that I feel very unreasonable going there if there’s any other option. And based on the dismissive way things were handled by two doctors yesterday (DH said the OOH doctor was very unconcerned even with it as bad as it was last night, they were weeping pus and the whole thigh was bright red and tight), I expect if we’d turned up at A&E the previous night we would have been treated as completely neurotic.

I’m no expert but I could tell from looking st it two days ago that an infection was brewing. I’m really shocked the GP didn’t just prescribe antibiotics - I know they’re under pressure not to just hand them out, but still.

He’s a bit brighter today but he literally can’t put any weight on one leg or sit upright. I feel terrible that it got so bad.

The poor little thing, it’s horrible when they’re too little to understand what’s going on. I’m glad he had a better night, I think it’s very reasonable to ask for a second opinion if you’re still worried tomorrow.

He’s asleep on me at the moment - we normally struggle to get him to sleep ever. He’s still having tiny doses of the anti histamine so I think that’s playing a small part but overall he’s just knackered. Have to wake him up soon for medicine enough as his temp is climbing and he needs antibiotics either an hour before food or two hours after, four times a day - not easy to orchestrate in a grazing toddler!

It really isn't too much to expect. A full examination should mean exactly that

I don't disagree with the idea, however the OPDH knee there were potentially infected spots under the nappy, it is a bit odd not to simply say 'and there are some here' whilst removing said nappy. Doctors get a really bad press; yes they were looking at the CP for signs of infection but it's not unreasonable to take a little bit of responsibility and point them out.

He knows now he should have pointed it out and he’s really angry with himself that he didn’t - he said it was all very rushed and it was only afterwards he realised she hadn’t looked there, as the main focus of concern was on the very bad one on his thigh. It’s easy to say I would have pointed it out but I know what it’s like when you’re emotional, worried and haven’t slept all night. I would expect a GP to be more thorough with something like this but there we are. I’m not going to complain or anything but I’ve learnt a lesson.

I have to say the few times I've used it they haven't been much use -

1. all we wanted to know was whether to take our son to A&E, minor injuries or GP (he had cut his head - but both of us grew up with military doctors where the GP would stitch your head in the living room) -- was told if he wasn't checked into A&E within an hour then they would call social services. When it is parents who clearly are going to take the child for treatment, threatening them is overkill

2. I had had pneumonia and had been treated but still had a cough and wanted to know if I needed to go back to the doctors or if it was normal for it to hang around - was told I needed to see the doctor as because I'd had a cough for 6 weeks it needed to be checked to see if it was pneumonia - I'd already told them it was pneumonia

Threatening you when you’ve called for advice on seeking medical advice seems extreme - I’ve seen someone else post here saying the same.

I must say that last night they were excellent and I’m sure he was seen quicker than he would have been had we taken him to A&E. It seems here that it’s just the middle of the night where it’s rubbish! I would call them again if it were early evening but if we ever have another midnight crisis with a very unwell child I think we’d go straight for A&E!

if it were early evening but if we ever have another midnight crisis with a very unwell child I think we’d go straight for A&E!

Go!, unwell children are very deserving of medical attention so i have expecenced and bene told by a couple of consultant friends that they'd do the same.

Older people?, on a case by case basis but sometimes its making that decision and with such maladies as Sepis and our old mate Meningitis
time is of the essence to survival! .

My GP told me (after I'd called 111 on night) that next time I should just go straight to our local hospital A&E. I would phone but if I didn't get a quick answer (and I was worried) I would then go to a&e.