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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious at GP....

300 replies

Dopeyduck · 27/10/2020 07:45

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?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/10/2020 11:47

Neither is DS “just asthma”

Coffeeandcocopops · 27/10/2020 11:47

Complain. It’s just not good enough. A temperature can mean many things. Covid is being used as an excuse for poor service.

Mintychoc1 · 27/10/2020 11:49

@Sirzy

Neither is DS “just asthma”
I’m not talking about your son. I’m just saying that my comment about my colleague shouldn’t be extrapolated to all asthmatics. I was just trying to illustrate why we have to keep much of the building “clean”. I didn’t feel the need to go into detail about his medical condition , which isn’t straightforward, until petty posters started saying things like “so your saying all asthmatics will die of Covid”. Trying to score points by picking up mistakes.
Dongdingdong · 27/10/2020 11:51

A GP on here recently said they were working 12 hours a day, begs the question what are they actually doing? And how have they got time to be on MN.

I’ve often had the same thought. They must be fitting in regular posts on MN in between all those phone consultations and palming off their patients to A&E.

Sirzy · 27/10/2020 11:52

Nobody is saying building shouldn’t be kept as clean and safe as possible BUT GPs can’t do what do many are and use this as an excuse to not see patients or tell them to go to A and E instead.

I’m not for a second saying that lots of GPs aren’t working hard and going above and beyond. But too many aren’t and they are letting their patients down and adding to the strain on other departments when it doesn’t need to be.

Original poster
Dopeyduck · 27/10/2020 11:53

Please don’t turn this thread into an argument.

Thank you so much to all those that have offered good advice and kind words.

I’ve never said all GP’s are shit, or that they don’t work hard. In fact if they weren’t overworked tired and stressed this probably would never have happened.

OP posts:
Mintychoc1 · 27/10/2020 11:53

To those of you having fun slagging off all GPs and telling us we’re not doing any work - you’ll be glad to know we’re quitting in our droves, because the workload is unmanageable. So you’ll get your wish - there won’t be any GPs left, and then you can find someone else to bitch about. In fact, has it occurred to you that the reason it’s hard to get an appointment is because there aren’t enough GPs, because no one wants to do it any more? There is a recruitment crisis. Funny that, considering apparently we get paid for doing nothing. You’d think doctors would be queueing up to become GPs. I wonder why they’re not....

Ocies · 27/10/2020 11:54

*All doctors have a duty of care to their patients regardless of a pandemic.

Is duty of care still even a thing anymore amongst GPs? Because it doesn’t feel like it.*

Definitely complain!!! GP's often just don't give a crap and just try to get you out the door as fast as they can. Terrible.

For all those who are saying that this isn't a GP bashing thread - well this comment certainly feels like it.

Mintychoc1 · 27/10/2020 11:54

@Dongdingdong

A GP on here recently said they were working 12 hours a day, begs the question what are they actually doing? And how have they got time to be on MN.

I’ve often had the same thought. They must be fitting in regular posts on MN in between all those phone consultations and palming off their patients to A&E.

Even GPs get annual leave and days off. Sorry.
Ori3 · 27/10/2020 11:59

This is a really terrible response & I get where you’re coming from. I would certainly complain about the over-the-phone dismissals. Your poor baby. I can only image the stress. That’s really not on.

gamerchick · 27/10/2020 12:01

Personally I think we all need to start complaining about shoddy treatment by our GP surgeries. This needs a big shining light put on it. Yes there are SOME places still doing their job but there is an awful lot of them who aren't and the saying stuff isn't true because x,y,z is getting beyond irritating.

Hope the bairns on the mend OP.

A GP on here recently said they were working 12 hours a day, begs the question what are they actually doing? And how have they got time to be on MN

It has crossed my mind myself.

AnxMummy10 · 27/10/2020 12:02

Oh poor baby, how is he doing now op. He should have been given an antibiotic the very first time. I too would be livid that the poor child absolutely suffered for 5 days. Flowers

Mintychoc1 · 27/10/2020 12:04

@gamerchick

Personally I think we all need to start complaining about shoddy treatment by our GP surgeries. This needs a big shining light put on it. Yes there are SOME places still doing their job but there is an awful lot of them who aren't and the saying stuff isn't true because x,y,z is getting beyond irritating.

Hope the bairns on the mend OP.

A GP on here recently said they were working 12 hours a day, begs the question what are they actually doing? And how have they got time to be on MN

It has crossed my mind myself.

So should GPs have no free time at all? Should we work 24-7? Can I assume that every single person who has posted on this thread is unemployed? Because if they have a job, how can they be reading MN?
Georgeoftheinternet · 27/10/2020 12:04

The more we fight back about covid shit treatment the better.

Georgeoftheinternet · 27/10/2020 12:05

@Mintychoc1 don’t GPs work 12 hours a day because the clinics open from 8-6.30/7? Plus they work four days a week?

Dongdingdong · 27/10/2020 12:05

For all those who are saying that this isn't a GP bashing thread - well this comment certainly feels like it.

Those who aren’t doing their jobs properly and neglecting their patients “because Covid” fully deserve to be bashed.

Porcupineinwaiting · 27/10/2020 12:05

Tbf the gp system is pretty antiquated and due for a good shake up, so maybe this will be the catalyst and some good will come out of it. Far better to have a system where if you have a sick child you see a pediatrician, or if you have skin complaint you see a dermatologist, or a gynecologists for gynecological problems than everything through the overburdened, inefficient gp sifting house.

SunshineCake · 27/10/2020 12:08

I hope your appointment goes well and your son gets the care he needs.

I'm awaiting a call due from 9am for my daughter. Poor dog is wondering why no walk. I'm worried I was supposed to take her to the surgery but was told a call would come. They are now shut. All this wouldn't be so bad if surgery's communicated better.

JustFrustrated · 27/10/2020 12:09

I had the exact same problem at the start of Covid OP

Docs refused to see me. Despite history of ear infections.
Tramadol, codeine and vodka later I was still in agony. Ended up in A&E also with two ruptured ear drums. Which I knew was going to happen, and knew could be prevented with antibiotics (30 years of history teaches me this much)

I feel so sorry for you and your little boy

Original poster
Dopeyduck · 27/10/2020 12:12

Thanks to those asking how the baby is.

DS is sleeping at the moment. Trying to let him rest and hoping the perforation has taken the edge off.

Will be waking him soon to take him to see the doctor who will decide if they can manage his fever at home or if he needs to be admitted to hospital.

I’m stressed and sad for him. It’s times like this that remind me what love and being a parent really is. It’s not that overwhelming rush at birth, it’s sitting unwashed without sleep trying to comfort a screaming child and wishing you could take their place or make it stop.

Parents really are, for the most part, remarkable people. Shout out to everyone else having a bad day.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 27/10/2020 12:13

I hope your ds will be recover quickly. I also think you should complain. Your ds has been failed by primary care. I understand not giving children antibiotics for an inflamed ear. But for a clear infection, surely it would be better to prescribe a course?

Mintychoc1 · 27/10/2020 12:13

@Porcupineinwaiting

Tbf the gp system is pretty antiquated and due for a good shake up, so maybe this will be the catalyst and some good will come out of it. Far better to have a system where if you have a sick child you see a pediatrician, or if you have skin complaint you see a dermatologist, or a gynecologists for gynecological problems than everything through the overburdened, inefficient gp sifting house.
But who decides if your problem is gynaecological? If you have abdominal pain, it could be gynae, gastrointestinal, urological. And you’d struggle to find a paediatrician who’d spent years studying the finer details of childhood diabetes, for example, and would be happy to spend their days seeing kids with coughs and colds. A gatekeeper of some sort is needed.
Sirzy · 27/10/2020 12:15

Is he settled enough you can go for a freshen up?

One of the hardest things when a little one is poorly is making time for some self care basics

gamerchick · 27/10/2020 12:18

Can I assume that every single person who has posted on this thread is unemployed? Because if they have a job, how can they be reading MN?

Is that the same as saying that people are basically liars when they report their frustrations with their GP surgeries because they can't see a doctor?

This IS happening. Saying you don't believe it is irritating. There's a word for it. People will start lashing out when they're repeatedly called a liar.

What you could do is advise people what to do if they're being ignored by their GP due to covid. Rather than just saying you find it hard to believe. Just a thought.

mooity · 27/10/2020 12:20

Not nice for you to feel not listened to. Around 80% of ear infections are viral and will cause illness in the child for 5-7 days whether you give antibiotics or not so although it felt like you were being ignored it wasn’t necessarily poor practice, more poor communication is explaining why they wouldn’t see him.

I work in Paeds ED and it’s frustrating how the GP’s aren’t seeing patients that really should be treated in primary care.

Although it was likely an ear infection ANY fever still needs to be swabbed for Covid. I hope you still had him swabbed and the family isolated in the meantime...