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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder why 100 people would go to A&E for covid tests?!

82 replies

TableFlowerss · 16/09/2020 18:40

Just heard on the news. I could understand 1/2 people thinking it might be a good idea but 100 people wandering to A&E to try and get tests??!

What on earth are people thinking? And folk wonder why it’s spreading like wildfire when so many people clearly though that was a good idea....🙈🙈🙈

OP posts:
SimpleComforts · 17/09/2020 10:49

In not sure I believe that faced with not paying your rent or losing your job you'd accept that there was nothing you could do

Ponoka7 · 17/09/2020 11:03

@TableFlowerss
"It’s not about having a heart, it’s common sense!! It’s shit fir everyone you know"

It isn't equally shit for everyone. Some people are desperate. Not everyone gets SSP and those who have no recourse to public funds etc, won't be able to access the benefit system. People have gone through their savings. Anyone who works in retail will tell you that there are record applications for Christmas jobs. There's well qualified/experienced people applying, the people who have less than six months on their visas, who are on the lowest rung educationally etc, are going to be left behind. Evictions are happening and emergency accommodation is full to the brim. The streets are filling up again. If the government wants to offset these problems they could by dramatic policy change. That's when they aren't too busy organising grouse shoots.

"Let’s be honest, if you can get to A&E you’re doing ok if you’ve got covid."

But you can't work. But actually Covid causes a phenomenon never seen before. People are feeling and appearing well just before death, or near death. This is part of the reason why we had so many deaths at the start, people were more ill than they appeared. We left oxygen support until it was too late.

I can understand why people might approach the hospitals.

We always need to shift blame onto this incompetent government and not individuals. The government are still going with the idea that more people testing positive is terrifying, when doctors aren't agreeing. They want to go by the hospital admission and death rates.

Ponoka7 · 17/09/2020 11:07

@TableFlowerss

"Bearing in mind, nurses and doctors are struggling to get tested in some areas so if more go off sick because of an influx of A&E walk ins then that’s not going to be a happy ending is it.."

A&E staff are only going to be put at risk at work because of a lack of Covid safety, caused again by the government. But a lot of the people desperate for tests will be support services staff. If they can't work we will be heading to a care crisis again. Bank and agency staff aren't included in the routine testing.

RaisinGhost · 17/09/2020 11:10

I've been a nurse in various A&Es for almost 20yrs, compared to some things that people attend for, covid testing is sensible. Broken nails, hangovers and papercuts not so sensible....

Yep, totally agree, I'm shocked it's only 100. Things I've seen people come to A&E for

  • Slight cough
  • Slightly sore shoulder for a year
  • Vomited once
  • Upset because pts dc got arrested
  • TV remote banged on leg
  • Cut hand (cut smaller than 2mm, nearly impossible to see with naked eye)
  • Pregnancy test (no pain or complications, just was wondering and wanted free test)
MustShowDH · 17/09/2020 12:25

YANBU

Selfish, thick or both.

QueenOfPain · 17/09/2020 13:21

@BritneyS

What I meant by respiratory compromise, is breathlessness where they’re struggling to complete their normal activities or get up stairs, not managing to do anything apart from sit in one spot, struggling to complete a full sentence, etc.

Cough, fever, aches, pains, anosmia, all expected with covid. Testing would be appropriate and advised via 119 or online.

111 or GP OOH services don’t need to know about every single person with mild symptoms who can’t get a test. But there certainly seems to be a lot of calls from people who are still well and lively (despite the cough) who’s reason for calling is that they can’t get a test.

BritneyS · 17/09/2020 14:20

@QueenOfPain sorry I assumed from your post that you were taking 119 calls not 111 calls. Yes I’m not sure why anyone would call 111 outside of the aforementioned desperation. I suppose that’s the same as the people turning up at A&E. Although... I work in NHS planning and am very glad for those people calling 111 as it’s a great early indicator!

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