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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To insist doctor refers me

47 replies

oopsiedaisy2 · 06/08/2020 21:56

I was just looking for some advice really and felt this was probably the best forum

Had a head injury 5 weeks ago and was briefly knocked out. Attended A and E but they were barely interested and sent me home. Fast forward to now and I get head pain daily, it hurts when I lie on it and often I feel sick with the pain. I told my GP last week who advised I present back at A and E but I don't want to , I would prefer her to refer me for a head CT so I'm not sitting blocking A and E for something that can be referred for. AIBU to expect to be referred and not go and sit in a and e for hours?

Thanks

OP posts:
omg35 · 06/08/2020 22:00

I think it's probably fairly likely that the doctor knows you'll get a quicker resolution by turning up at A&E but I can understand why you wouldn't want to

rachael12345 · 06/08/2020 22:01

I reckon doctors only tell ypu to go to a and e if something is urgent as they also don't want to block it up.
You could wait weeks and weeks for patient referral

PlanDeRaccordement · 06/08/2020 22:01

It’s too late to get a CT. if you have had any bleed, it will have been reabsorbed by now. You need a contrast MRI. Ask GP to refer you to neurology.

Original poster
oopsiedaisy2 · 06/08/2020 22:03

@PlanDeRaccordement oh really. She said CT I have no idea as luckily not had one before. I don't feel it's urgent enough for A and E especially right now I am just sick of the headaches and genuine feeling rubbish

OP posts:
SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 06/08/2020 22:04

Your GP has advised, and you're not doing it because you don't want to?? That's a bit silly. You've potentially got a head injury and you need to be seen, and A&E is appropriate. A referral could take a while and it sounds like you need checking out soon.

Pacif1cDogwood · 06/08/2020 22:05

Where I work, GPs cannot refer directly for brain CTs after trauma; it must be referred via A+E acutely, or via a consultant if referred to a clinic.

Original poster
oopsiedaisy2 · 06/08/2020 22:08

@SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing yea she did and no I don't want to , I don't feel it warrants a and e , also covid is rife in the area at the moment I'm trying to work out if my GP can actually refer me directly and I was also trying to see if it would ease as I know headaches are quite normal after concussion for some time.

OP posts:
Original poster
oopsiedaisy2 · 06/08/2020 22:09

@Pacif1cDogwood that's helpful thanks maybe that's the case here she didn't actually say why she wouldn't or couldn't

OP posts:
Polnm · 06/08/2020 22:22

CT scans are not taking place due to cv19 in our area.

Sleepingboy · 06/08/2020 22:29

Why do you think know better than the doctor how the system works and what would be the appropriate response and treatments? Are you a GP too? Or you just presume you know better when you just dont. Either take their advice or dont, dont insist on another way if that isn't how the system works. You cant be that worried as referrals take months on a waiting list. Emergency treatment is immediate (if you are assessed as needing it)

Moondust001 · 06/08/2020 22:29

You are being ridiculous. Many hospital services are currently not taking / prioritising referrals - it could be a year or more before you get seen! And it is possible that the issue is more urgent - I presume that you'll be fine with any adverse outcome since you don't want to do as your doctor has advised? If you don't think it warrants medical attention, then don't complain about the doctor. It isn't a pick or mix as too what you want. And if you want to dictate your treatment, there's plenty of private health-care.

Standrewsschool · 06/08/2020 22:33

A and E stands for Accident and Emergency. Perhaps s/he considered it as an emergency, hence advised you to go there.

Standrewsschool · 06/08/2020 22:34

Also, hospitals have designated Covid areas so you won’t be in that area.

lilylion · 06/08/2020 22:34

Why don’t you just go to A&E as instructed?

MaxNormal · 06/08/2020 22:37

CT scans are not taking place due to cv19 in our area.

Why, do they normally do them for fun?

Questioningeverything · 06/08/2020 22:42

Ct scans are definitely taking place where I am, 7 weeks ago I had mine urgently for suspected appendicitis with no bother or wait. Same for X-rays.
Op you need to go get checked. You have no idea what’s going on in there, you need to be looked at

BudgieHammockBananaSmuggler · 06/08/2020 22:42

Urgent scans (ie A&E sort of problems) have always been happening throughout COVID. Routine non-urgent ones have been cancelled typically. However routine scanning has started up again in my area since official shielding has ended. And GPs cannot refer directly for a scan here as PP has said

mosquitofeast · 06/08/2020 22:47

Just go to A and E, and stop pratting about.Why are you going to go back and block up the Drs surgery when you have already been seen and advised? You don't get to insist a doctor refers you. You have been told a referral is inappropriate. You have been told what next step is appropriate.

ParcelFarce · 06/08/2020 22:47

It sounds like your symptoms are urgent enough to warrant an A&E visit, OP, and your GP clearly thinks so, so I would definitely not hesitate to go to A&E in your position. That said, you DO sometimes have to pushy about being referred for investigation of ongoing problems - not all GPs are good at their job and sometimes they will fob you off (it’s happened to me and recently also to my sister, whose abnormal bleeding was dismissed by her GP as “one of those things” but turned out to be early-stage cancer). I guess what I’m saying is, follow her advice but keep pushing for a referral if you feel that’s what you need. Make sure the NICE guidelines are being followed and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion if you don’t feel like you’re being taken seriously.

Leaannb · 06/08/2020 22:49

So.glad we don't have to really worry about referrals and that it takes no time to get scans

Polnm · 06/08/2020 22:50

@MaxNormal

CT scans are not taking place due to cv19 in our area.

Why, do they normally do them for fun?

DH has cancer and treatment was halted due to cv19. One if the things cancelled was a CT scan

Hope that responds to your arsey comment.

He is now very unwell after 6 months of cancelled treatment but hey why not make flippant comments to make yourself seem clever

Lougle · 06/08/2020 22:54

GPs have a panel of tests that they can order. Anything else has to be arranged by a specialist. CT scans can't be ordered by GPs.

Concussion can last weeks, unfortunately. If the GP has suggested that you present to A&E, that's what you need to do.

Cooljoggings · 06/08/2020 23:07

Please do not 'insist' you are referred. Please listen to the advice you have been given. You are not an expert in your acute condition. Insisting that you are referred to wait for an outpatient appointment for something that you are very worried about seems rather counter intuitive.

Odd that you are asking for validation from strangers on the internet who neither have the details of your previous A&E presentation, information regarding your local health service, nor, in most cases, a medical degree. If your GP advises you to visit A&E for clinical assessment, then it is advised that you do just that, because this IS the most sensible course of action to take.

TinkersTailor · 06/08/2020 23:10

@Polnm That's absolutely dreadful. Is there anyway to make a complaint?
I understand the gravity of COVID and postponing non-urgent scans/treatments, but cancer treatment?
Horrendous.

OP, go to A&E. Your GP has already told you to go, why do you think they'll advise different this time?
Even if they do refer you, you could be waiting for 18 months +. Do you really want to carry on with your symptoms for that amount of time? What if something is wrong?

If you're that desperate to avoid A&E why don't you pay for a private referral, you may be seen quicker.

MaxNormal · 06/08/2020 23:12

Polnm it was a dig at the NHS becoming the National Covid Service, which has also caused huge problems for people close to me.
I'm very sorry about your husband, what has been done to him and to all who have had their essential treatments cancelled, is a national scandal.

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