Can I just turn up at a and e?

[fastnfurious]

Posting for traffic... my son has an injury I think needs to be looked at at the hospital, I'm unsure if I can just turn up at a and e or do I need to call 111 first? Thanks

You can just turn up. 111 is more for advice if you aren't sure what service is best for your problem.

Just turn up. Why would you call 111?

Yes you can but What kind of injury though?

You might need to go to minor injuries if you have one?

How bad is the injury? If it’s an emergency for example you think he had broken a bone and his limb is misshapen I’d go straight to A&E. Otherwise I’d call 111, there might be a minor injuries clinic nearby which may be more suitable.

He's jumped off the top of a climbing wall and now can't put his heel down. There's no swelling or bruising so I'm unsure if it's broken but he doesn't really make a fuss over anything so when he's saying something is painful it usually is the case. He also did something else stupid and has pain in his ribs (please tell me my son isn't the only teenage boy who comes back from the park like this)

I don't know why I thought I had to call 111 first I think I read it somewhere the other day.

Matt Hancock is saying that from December we'll have to call 111 before going to A&E, that's probably what you've heard OP. Unless they're going to drastically improve training for 111 operators, it's a stupid idea.

There are some areas piloting calling 111 before going to A and E.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-54185453

If you’re not in one of those areas, just go.

🙈 why would you call 111 to go to a&e. Made me chuckle. Hope your son is ok OP.

@MomToTwoBabas

🙈 why would you call 111 to go to a&e. Made me chuckle. Hope your son is ok OP.

Because its been on the news that that's what they're proposing well have to do very soon. As pp said some places are already trialling it

Hopefully just a sprain, though they are as painful as a break, but recovery is quicker and no need for a cast.
How high was the climbing frame?

@MomToTwoBabas if you read the thread you would see why. I’m wondering why you are so condescending. Does it make you feel good to laugh at a stranger’s sincere question?

I really hate MN sometimes.

[quote MelrosePlace]@MomToTwoBabas if you read the thread you would see why. I’m wondering why you are so condescending. Does it make you feel good to laugh at a stranger’s sincere question?

I really hate MN sometimes.[/quote]
Tbf the information on the trials only came up a couple of mins before her reply, she might not have refreshed in that time. You are being a bit quick to jump down her throat.

Hope he's ok OP! I find 111 are pretty good for this sort of stuff, but personally I'd just take him as it sounds like it might need an X-ray or something

That's an interesting proposal actually. I'd be all for it if it reduces unnecessary patients in A&E. In the past year, any time I've gone to A&E I've been admitted (about 5 or 6 times), so I don't go for any little thing (I have a persistent illness), but I can't help but feel judgey about people who look as healthy as oxen, sitting in A&E chatting and playing on their phones. I know I'm not a doctor, but you can tell when someone is ill by looking at them.

I would probably wait 24-48 hours but don't think you're unreasonable to go earlier, instead.

I've just called mil and she's going to take him as I have two other dc here

DS is 13 and has a tendency to not think before acting 😬 the climbing wall is pretty high. My partner is 6"4 and can't reach the top if he reaches up.

DS seems to think hes a parkour pro but after a broken arm, a broken toe and now this I'm pretty sure he's not going to learn 😣 I do tell him repeatedly to be careful etc but it falls on deaf ears unfortunately

The A and E phoning thing actually sounds fairly sensible if it's done correctly. Obviously you wouldn't call ahead for a heart attack or whatever or a major bone break but where you don't have a minor injuries unit and you need an x-ray (various "is it sprained or is it broken" injuries in this house) there's no point sitting for 4 hours in A and E if you could sit at home instead, not like it hurts less at the hospital. I think the plan is that you should be able to get in and out in under an hour if you call ahead.

If you suspect a heel fracture or any rib injury/internal injury I’d take him to A&E.

How is he in himself?

A&E is still very much open as usual, so please go and get it checked out. No need to ring first, it was mentioned earlier in the week that it might have to be introduced as people were turning up trying to get covid test.

@yeOldeTrout this did happen yesterday so have given it some time. I've just had a closer look and it does look slightly different to his other heel but I'm there's no bruising at all which seems really strange to me. He's also injured his ribs and again no bruising but he's getting sharp pain if he laughs or moves in a certain way... I probably wouldn't go to a and e for the ribs as I think he's just bruised them but the heel I am worried about.

I'd love to see statistics of the number of people who require OOH doctors, minor injuries, some intervention or investigation while in A&E and those who are admitted vs the number of people who turn up at A&E and have no requirement for any treatment or investigation.

@RattleOfBars he's in good spirits, laying on his bed chatting with his mates on Xbox. He's pretty good with not making a fuss tbh which is a far cry from his dsis 😂 I'm taking him soon

Even if the do start the calling 111 first nobody will be denied access to A and E if they just turn up anyway.

fastnfurious I'm much like your dd I think. If I'm in pain the whole world will know about it! I can't just keep quiet

While lying on the bed, he won't be moving it, so I wouldn't be judging by that. Best get him seen I think.