Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Accident and Emergency

34 replies

timetest · 22/12/2020 21:41

Is it safe to go to a& e if you’re in tier 4 and the hospital is full of Covid patients? I’m panicking here.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 22/12/2020 21:42

Yes-they will have separate areas.

Thatwentbadly · 22/12/2020 21:43

If you need a and e then it isn’t safe to stay at home and not get treatment.

inappropriateraspberry · 22/12/2020 21:44

Of course it is. How do you think they deal with road accidents or heart attacks?
COVID patients will be in a separate area, and definitely not in a&e!

happytoday73 · 22/12/2020 21:44

If you really need to go - please do so....

2Rebecca · 22/12/2020 21:44

You have to phone first for A&E in Scotland now unless brought in by ambulance. Too many people using it as a walk in GP surgery for non emergency crap

MichelleScarn · 22/12/2020 21:44

If you need a&e you need a&e!

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 22/12/2020 21:46

Since A&E is for heart attacks, broken bones, exteme bleeding, very serious burns etc (you know, life threatening issues) then if you're saying you need to go to A&E, covid doesnt really matter because you've got a very serious issue happening to your body.

If it isnt life threatening then you should be calling 111 and they can direct you to an urgent care centre etc.

StopGo · 22/12/2020 21:47

DS had to go to A&E today. We live in tier 4 and the hospital is in the same tier. He said he felt very safe, lots of space and other safety measures. You either need A&E or you don't.

Imiss2019 · 22/12/2020 21:47

People die from accidents and medical emergencies too so not going could be more dangerous than catching COVID.

Original poster
timetest · 22/12/2020 21:50

I know I’m probably being ridiculous for worrying but the hospital concerned has a huge number of Covid cases and both my husband and daughter are vulnerable. My daughter has a dislocated jaw and shoulder so she needs her Dad help with her to push her wheelchair while she has treatment.

OP posts:
iVampire · 22/12/2020 21:51

If you need A&E, then you just have to go and trust the level of precaution

I broke my foot in June whilst shielding, and felt safe throughout the visit.

I didn’t get a 111 referral - hobbling and not weight-bearing is a pretty clear indicator of needing to be x-rayed and the only place round here that does that is via A&E

helloxhristmas · 22/12/2020 21:52

Sorry if I'm missing something, can you not go?

Scarlettpixie · 22/12/2020 21:53

Our hospital has red and green zones (covid and non covid) and everyone is questioned, temp checks etc. When I had to go the other week it felt pretty safe. If you need to go, you should. Maybe call 111 first though as some hospitals are operating an appointment only system. Our minor injuries unit is. Hope you are ok.

HollyGoLoudly1 · 22/12/2020 21:55

@2Rebecca

You have to phone first for A&E in Scotland now unless brought in by ambulance. Too many people using it as a walk in GP surgery for non emergency crap
I was curious about this so messaged a family member who is an A&E doctor in Scotland - he says this isn't true. At least not in his hospital. Which hospital is doing this??
bloodywhitecat · 22/12/2020 21:55

Go, her dad will be able to go in with her and hospitals are managing COVID really well in my experience. There are red, amber and green zones in most and any potential C-19 cases are in completely separate areas to non C-19 patients.

Original poster
timetest · 22/12/2020 21:56

They are on their way to hospital. It will take about an hour and I’m at home slightly freaking out about it. I did call first and was told it was extremely busy.

OP posts:
HollyGoLoudly1 · 22/12/2020 21:57

Oh, you can be referred by 111 but you won't be turned away if you haven't called them first. Is that what is happening, a 111 referral?

Original poster
timetest · 22/12/2020 21:58

I called the hospital directly as she is under one of their consultants and is due to surgery there early next month.

OP posts:
HollyGoLoudly1 · 22/12/2020 21:59

She has a dislocated jaw and shoulder? Poor lamb! Sounds like the absolutely needs to go to A&E, I'm not sure what other alternatives there are for something so serious. Like others have said, they get segregated and every precaution is taken. Hope she is ok Flowers

NellePorter · 22/12/2020 22:02

I am vulnerable and was at our local A&E last week, I felt very safe and it was very calm, so please try not to worry. I hope everything goes well for her.

2Rebecca · 22/12/2020 22:04

It's called the redesign of urgent care, was piloted in Ayrshire and is being rolled out nationwide from the 3rd of December. Life threatening emergencies (ie 999 ambulance stuff) still goes straight to A&E but sprained ? broken ankles etc are expected to phone 111 first and an appointment system will be operating. I'm surprised someone in A&E doesn't know about this but maybe some areas haven't started using the system yet. Our A&E expects to have 90% of usual A&E stuff phoning first once people understand the system.

2Rebecca · 22/12/2020 22:06

Agree someone who has just dislocated her jaw and shoulder should be going straight to A&E

lurker101 · 22/12/2020 22:08

@HollyGoLoudly1 @2Rebecca NI A&Es are also doing this, haven’t heard any feedback but it seems like a good idea to me and a good way to weed out some nuisance attendances

carmelsundae · 22/12/2020 22:14

@HollyGoLoudly1 @2Rebecca they are piloting it in the health board that I live and work in in Scotland, however I only know of it through my work. It's been really poorly communicated though so I'm not sure how most of the population would know about it. Hoping it helps with pressures!

Original poster
timetest · 22/12/2020 22:37

They’ve arrived. DD had to go in on her own, no carers allowed. It’s really busy. I anticipate a long wait ahead.

OP posts: