To be furious at GP....

[Dopeyduck]

Saw GP on Friday as DS was screaming inconsolably. Confirmed ear infection in both ears. As no temp no antibiotics were given. Pain relief and call back in a couple of days if no better.

Saturday DS developed a temp. By the middle of Saturday night it was 39.9 after paracetamol and ibuprofen, so I called 111 and spoke to out of hours GP.

She refused to see him as he had a temp - re covid, even though it’s an ear infection. Wouldn’t give antibiotics without seeing him and said ‘he’s probably just burning it off.’

Sunday DS is really poorly but temp is only 38.8. Called out of hours to be told they still won’t see him but he’s getting better.

Monday DS is worse still so I contact GP. They also won’t see him and tell me to keep at home or take to A&E if I’m very worried.

At 2am Tuesday morning I did take him up to A&E. temp 39.9 still. A&E were great and he was seen quickly by a lovely doctor. Doc took one look in his ears and said he’s got a very severe infection in both and he needs antibiotics immediately. He was appalled that nobody had prescribed antibiotics when he worsened and that they didn’t see him.

I now have a very very poorly baby who has suffered for 5 days because in my opinion the GP failed to give him adequate care because they’re more concerned about covid than sick kids.

I do understand covid is very serious situation but a temp is a symptom of many things. Covid or not sick children shouldn’t be ignored.

AIBU to complain?

Disgusting. My DD had an ear infection during lockdown she hadn’t even had it that long, we called GP thinking they would say ride it out but they saw her straight away, which was a relief as it turned out she needed antibiotics. Her ear must have looked bad as they don’t normally push antibiotics.

They had a separate area for anyone showing Covid symptoms, fever, cough etc that could still be seen. I’ve been to the surgery dozens of times since this has all been going on as I have a medical condition, the surgery has been amazing and have just been getting on with it. They do a lot via photos too, my other DD had a cut on her toe which got infected, I called, less than 5 min later the nurse phoned me back asking to take photos & upload to a link, seconds later they called to say it’s infected and they were sending a script straight to the pharmacy.

I’d definitely complain. Yes GPs need to be cautious but they also need to provide medical care to their patients. If my GP practice can put measures in place then so can others.

I understand the first gp wanting to wait and see, those are guidelines. Our gp won't prescribe unless pouring puss - my dd had this often poor thing..but as he hasn't improved I am shocked they didn't either see him or prescribe antibiotics as a precaution.. really it should have been both.

That's disgusting, I'd be sending a complaint in,

GPs are not covering themselves in glory right now are they?

Sorry just to explain my post, when it happened to us pre covid no one said "i can't see them because of covid" rather it was a lack of joined up thinking which led dc being seen 3 different times by 3 different people, being told it was a virus so antibs wouldn't help, ending up with dc in hospital on a drip with dc taking high dosages of antibs. I think it is a failing in how things work, but it happened pre covid too.

There was absolutely no reason not to see him while they were wearing PPE.

Honestly, YANBU. It saddens me to say this because many of my close relatives work in healthcare, and I have had some fantastic GPs over the years, but my husband now works in a clinical capacity in a paediatric A&E department and they are seeing lots of similar stories like yours - children who could have been treated quicker and adequately in primary care but who covid has meant the GP has just refused to see them and either themselves directed the parent to visit A&E or like you they've eventually come when the child is much more sick. Another thing he is continuing to see loads of is children with severe pain and spreading infection due to untreated dental abscesses due to the ongoing dire lack of dental provision here. It's a total disgrace.

I'd complain through the fucking roof.

@ABitOdd and yet people are telling you this is their lived experience so it is true. You say its not aimed at OP but you have called her a liar. Unfortunately yours is an attitude I am familiar with in my experience with GP surgeries. It's shocking.

[quote OhDear2200]@Mintychoc1 that sounds like a good set up with the hub. Is that a national thing?

The difficult thing about saying you have medically vulnerable staff is that currently we have other public services being run also by medically vulnerable staff. This is not uncommon. How do we continue to provide essential services through this time? So many tough decisions.

OP - please complain; I’m a big believer things won’t improve if we don’t complain.[/quote]
As far as I’m aware the hot hubs are national, yes.

It’s all very difficult. I’m low risk, and so I’m one of those hated people on mumsnet who thinks we should just get on with life, given that the vast majority of us will be unharmed by Covid. Personally I would happily work as I always have done. However, we have one doctor with severe asthma, who would also certainly die if he developed Covid. He doesn’t see patients now, just does phone calls, and stays well away from the 2 “dirty” rooms where patients are seen. We also have another doctor with various health problems who is pregnant.

It’s worth noting that GPs don’t have much autonomy at the moment. We have quite strict guidelines from NHSE about what we have to provide.

I can see that this thread is degenerating, as usual, into a nice little GP bashing thread, which sadly detracts from the main issue, which is how surgeries should be managing Covid.

Also re flu vaccinations, my DD is as asthmatic toddler and our GP practice have advised they still haven't started doing the nasal flu vaccinations and they can't give me any indication as to when they will be.

@Sodamncold

I would have taken to a&e

Baffled you didn’t earlier

JRM is that you?

That is disgusting behaviour from your GP, I would've been so worried.

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

GPs are not covering themselves in glory right now are they?

Nor are people like you who slag us off. Trust me, exhausted doesn’t come close to how all medical personnel are feeling now. But you crack on and kick us while we’re down.

I'd go absolutely nuts, your poor LO. I had a severe ear infection that lasted a week and god the pain from it was intense, thankfully my doctors saw me, I had antibiotics and ear drops, my doctor kept asking about a temp but mine was completely fine. No excuse for them not providing antibiotics when you explained your LO wasn't getting better. I'm surprised they aren't doing face to face apps, mine has the whole way through, but telephone call first and then if they need to see you they ask you to come in. I honestly thought all doctors would follow the same, I'm so sorry yours aren't and I hope your LO gets better ASAP

Poor boy, ear infections are horrible. I would complain that you had to go to such lengths to get him some medicine. Pre covid my.not for a terrible rash and temperature, screaming in pain, wouldn't drink. He was admitted overnight then discharged the next day with a diagnosis of hand foot and mouth. We took him to the gp a few hours after getting home and he had a terrible throat and ear infection and the hospital hadn't even looked at either. Hope he feels better soon

It is absolutely ridiculous the situation with GP not seeing patients!! It is really poor practice and was always a big no no to diagnose over the phone when I worked in AE . A baby with a temp above 38 most definitely should of been seen . All GPS have PPE so they really have no reason to not see patients. I really hope your baby is better soon 💐

I'm sorry you've had this experience OP. YANBU I would be furious too.

To balance some of the other posts, my GP has been great throughout. Issues dealt with via phone appointments and seen in the surgery if necessary. Blood tests and smear tests both available. This is a busy inner city GP with a lot of challenges too.

Have a friend with pre-diagnosed heart issues. They started suffering increased symptoms and gp would not give them an appointment other than one SIX!! weeks away....they rang 111 who said go to a&e....a&e said why are you not at your gp?...a&e consultant then contacted the gp to demand they do their own admin and make the referral quick smart. It’s absolutely f-Ing ridiculous - the entire system needs an overhaul!!

@Mintychoc1 you're a gp and you said someone with severe asthma would certainly die if he got covid? That's just not true is it? The death rate isn't anywhere near 100% even for those with very serious underlying health conditions.

@fuckfuckingcovid19 I'm glad you picked up on that, I was going to comment on it as well but I didn't want to be accused of 'GP bashing'! Taking oral steroids for asthma certainly does increase risks associated with covid-19 but the 'will certainly die' hyperbole...! Would be interested in seeing the research that poster is basing that assertion on?

@Mintychoc1 sorry if you feel slagged off, i have experienced blips with medical care which has caused stressed but in general I think you all do a fab job. And we should appreciate that GPs have to follow guidelines as you say.

I am not sure we should all get on with it though, before we get a suitable vaccine, because of long covid and uncertainty over immunity if you catch it naturally. It is interesting to hear a gp say otherwise, though.

My only point here is that this sort of thing - mix ups or missed communication or whatever - happened before covid too.

The Dr should have looked at the notes and seen that he was seen with an ear infection the day before and if they used common sense they could of prescribed him some antibiotics. Instead they let him suffer because he had a temp? I would complain. I have had recurring ear infections and I remember once I didn't have time to go to the Dr. I ended up really ill and in agony after a couple of days. I'm an adult and it made me cry so I can't imagine how a child feels. I use Ear Calm as soon as a feel an infection and it saves a trip to the Dr.