AIBU to think this is a crazy reason to go to A&E?

[JemimaPyjamas]

Bit of background; I am a (well controlled, no history of complications) Type 1 diabetic. I have had it for 40+ years and the medical assistance I have ever needed is minimal, and I have been at the same GP practice for 14 years.

I am not sure how, but I got a splinter in the end of my big toe. Not a massive splinter, or anything remotely dramatic, but it was hard to see the area where it was. I think I removed it, pretty sure, but the area was sore - probably as it's a very sensitive place - so I called the GP, apologetically, to ask if there was any chance someone could have a quick check to make sure it was okay. (I didn't have anyone else to ask, hence me pestering the GP which did seem like semi overkill in itself.)

I was told they'd call back and then got told that 'nobody at the surgery is prepared to check a wound of that nature in a diabetic and we have been told to tell you you need to go to A&E.' I reiterated that it was a double check, for something the size of a very small papercut, and it was purely precautionary rather than necessary.

I got the same reply.

Needless to say, I have not gone to A&E during a pandemic so someone could double check a splinter had gone from my toe. I have instead soaked it, felt it and double checked it and it seems fine.

AIBU to think the (quite large) surgery was bonkers...? Or

Madness but doesn’t suprise me from GP surgeries at the moment sadly.

Do you have a walk in centre locally at all?

They should have referred you to podiatry. I have an annual foot check, do you? If so could you call them directly and if not ask GP to get you seen by the diabetic podiatry team?

I don’t think I would have even called the GP to be honest!

Maybe the only doctor there at the time wasn't a foot fan? Seems overkill but diabetic feet are something to be truly cautious about. Minor injuries might be your best bet.

I too was going to suggest foot clinic, walk-in-centre or minor injuries unit.

Surely the diabetic nurse could have a look?

My mums surgery have told her they are no longer seeing people face to face so she had to go to A&E for a sore leg. The world has gone mad.

Could you ask a pharmacist to have a look? Surely that's the most logical course of action?

@Theworldisquiethere I did feel slightly embarrassed about calling in the first place, but thought it would be sensible to!

@IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves I don't see a podiatrist, I've never had foot issues, I just get MOT'd from all angles with an annual diabetic review.

@Sirzy no, no walk in centres locally (even if I think I genuinely needed one!)

Hi. Im a GP nurse. Phone and book in for a wound check if you need it. The receptionist doesnt need to know the history. I used to be an A+E nurse and you'd be lucky to get through the triage nurse.

Does your local hospital have an urgent care centre attached to the A&E?

If so, this would be right up their street - they triage all cases, pass the urgent urgents to A&E and treat minor injuries themselves.

You have to be prepared to wait though, especially if they have to bleep (summon) a diabetes specialist nurse.

@BabyRace I was thinking more along the lines of practice nurse rather than an actual GP, but there are 8 GP's who work at our surgery (admittedly, I don't know if they are all full time) so even if it was a GP...

Soak your foot in water with lots of Epsom Salts in it, it will draw anything left inside out. Unless you get any redness, swelling or pus I would avoid the hospital.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene Thanks - that's good to know. I am pretty certain it's fine, but wasn't at the time (hence thinking someone to have a good check was sensible) but now it would seem like paranoid overkill

@Nat6999 That's pretty much exactly what I did!

If you call 111, they will assess and more than likely find you an extended access appt at a more amenable GP or an appt time at urgent care/minor injuries.

I'm a practice nurse and would have had a look.My next free appointment however is about three weeks. Clinics are rammed.
I can't however go 'digging' for something, so if there was nothing visible or palpable and no signs of infection it would be a watch and wait scenario.
No harm in buying a few hydrocolloid (drawing out) dressings from the chemist and sticking on just in case.

Sounds like overkill but I'd get it checked out at an urgent care centre. Might be a bit of a wait, but charge your phone and take a good book 👍

Bonkers. I was at A&E on Monday night for 6.5 hours with my 9 year old as he has broken his wrist. The A&E had signs everywhere saying they would not be seeing minor injuries in adults and to go to walk in centres and GPs. But the walk in centres and GPs are sending them all back to A&E.

I went to minor injuries the other day to get a dressing changed on a wound. I hoped the practise nurse would be able to do it instead of driving 10 miles but that wasnt suggested. I can only assume many practise nurses are redeployed in vaccine clinics and the rest are doing baby immunizations, smear tests, well woman clinic etc

How utterly incompetent! Their district nurse could have done this, heck a GP! Report to CQC

District nurses are for housebound people.

@Psdoff

How utterly incompetent! Their district nurse could have done this, heck a GP! Report to CQC

District nurses where I am are already stretched to their limits. This is not a district nurse issue

This isn't a district nurse thing. It's not really a GP thing. Fair enough if it was sore a few days later but at the time surely you'd just watch and wait?

I know a diabetic who somehow ended up with a tiny piece of foil in their toe. They didn't get checked.

The toe had to be amputated. And then the foot. And then half the leg.

Extreme example? Yes.

But it isn't impossible.

So even if you think it might be unnecessary, it isn't worth losing a toe / limb over