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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

156 replies

JemimaPyjamas · 28/07/2021 19:40

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

OP posts:
Original poster
JemimaPyjamas · 28/07/2021 20:41

@OnTheBoardwalk I have a podiatry number but they are only taking 'emergencies' and also only operating two days a week.

OP posts:
cptartapp · 28/07/2021 20:43

I would class this as an emergency. GP surgeries are not emergency services.
Ring them.

MolG5276bvfg · 28/07/2021 20:46

There is a paste, can’t Remember the name but chemist will know. You put it where splinter is/was cover it with a plaster and see what happen. My daughter had a huge 1cm splinter in her foot as a child and it took about three days to get it out but it did work.

ArabellaStrange · 28/07/2021 20:47

www.diabetes.co.uk/nhs/diabetes-health-checks.html
If yourself or anyone you know is diagnosed with diabetes, please read the link above.
I am admin working in a diabetic related field and having the retinas checked and feet checked on an annual basis is an essential part of diabetic care.
Especially in pregnant women with a diabetes diagnosis prior to pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes is a different creature.

Original poster
JemimaPyjamas · 28/07/2021 20:52

Thanks @ArabellaStrange, I presume that wasn't aimed at me though (I've been doing the diabetic thing since 1978 so I'm pretty well versed!)

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/07/2021 20:53

@MolG5276bvfg

There is a paste, can’t Remember the name but chemist will know. You put it where splinter is/was cover it with a plaster and see what happen. My daughter had a huge 1cm splinter in her foot as a child and it took about three days to get it out but it did work.
Magnesium sulphate paste
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/07/2021 21:00

@cptartapp

I would class this as an emergency. GP surgeries are not emergency services. Ring them.
It is absolutely not an emergency.
Libraryghost · 28/07/2021 21:01

If you are diabetic type 1 this must be treated. You are at risk of infection which for you could be catastrophic. Don’t feel bad that is what the NHS is there for and if a GP won’t treat it go to a walk in centre, Just to be clear for non diabetics it’s not an issue but your feet must be looked after very carefully- again the consequences for you can be serious.

Franklyfrost · 28/07/2021 21:01

Why did you call the gp? Do you need to be extra cautious about small cuts as a diabetic?

User5827372728 · 28/07/2021 21:01

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

It may be for someone with diabetes

Franklyfrost · 28/07/2021 21:03

Oh okay, increased risk of infection. I had no idea.

Libraryghost · 28/07/2021 21:04

@samwitwicky

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

This is exactly what happened to my diabetic type 1 Gran who was in her sixties at the time, The GP ignored her and she ended up losing most of her leg and got gangrene. Anybody playing down the seriousness of this has no idea what they are talking about.
Hm2020 · 28/07/2021 21:06

Magnesium paste my Pharmacey told me it Drew the splinter out in minutes!

AlmostSummer21 · 28/07/2021 21:07

@Theworldisquiethere

I don’t think I would have even called the GP to be honest!
Are you diabetic?
marmaladehound · 28/07/2021 21:09

Yep it's bonkers. I work in A&E and having someone turn up to check a splinter had gone would not have surprised me one little bit. Even the fact that the GP advised you to! I am glad you didn't go as we are heaving right now.

As for referral to a poidiatrist, no poidiatrist would have seen you quickly and tbh poidiatrist services are very slim on the ground now.

On this topic I made a comment on Twitter on a thread about the one of the many reasons the NHS is at breaking point is the lack of access to primary for for such a prolonged period. I also mentioned how hard it was even now to get a face to face appointment with a GP. Well the kickback I got from GPs was astonishing! I was not digging them personally but making a point that access to primary care needs to be addressed ASAP!

User5827372728 · 28/07/2021 21:10

@marmaladehound

It’s not bonkers, it could be like saving for OP.

marmaladehound · 28/07/2021 21:11

@cptartapp

I would class this as an emergency. GP surgeries are not emergency services. Ring them.
Hmmm this really is not an emergency!
marmaladehound · 28/07/2021 21:14

[quote User5827372728]@marmaladehound

It’s not bonkers, it could be like saving for OP.[/quote]
Are you for real? How is it life saving? Yes diabetics need to be careful with their feet for sure. But this is something that a practice nurse could easily check and if need be refer on to a diabetic foot clinic.

An emergency would be if there was no sensation to a foot, discolouration to the foot and a weak or no pulse. Not double checking a splinter has come out.

But thankfully the OP has more common sense than you!

AlmostSummer21 · 28/07/2021 21:14

@Hercisback

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?
Not if you're diabetic
User5827372728 · 28/07/2021 21:15

@marmaladehound

Agreed! However, unfortunately the OP isn’t able to see the nurse or GP, so a&e may be the only option for it to be checked.

ShakeTheDisease · 28/07/2021 21:17

@marmaladehound

Yep it's bonkers. I work in A&E and having someone turn up to check a splinter had gone would not have surprised me one little bit. Even the fact that the GP advised you to! I am glad you didn't go as we are heaving right now.

As for referral to a poidiatrist, no poidiatrist would have seen you quickly and tbh poidiatrist services are very slim on the ground now.

On this topic I made a comment on Twitter on a thread about the one of the many reasons the NHS is at breaking point is the lack of access to primary for for such a prolonged period. I also mentioned how hard it was even now to get a face to face appointment with a GP. Well the kickback I got from GPs was astonishing! I was not digging them personally but making a point that access to primary care needs to be addressed ASAP!

Amazing, isn't it? Every time someone mentions the difficulty of getting a GP appointment it sets off the 'not all GPs' 'my GP husband is working flat out' replies where you aren't allowed to speak up. Effectively saying 'this patients is wrong, lying or stupid and needs to suck it up.

OP, are you seen by a diabetic clinic at your local hospital at all or do you see a diabetic nurse for your annual check ups? If so I would ring them and ask if they could fit in an urgent examination of your foot. Or is there a walk in clinic near you?

Maggiesfarm · 28/07/2021 21:19

A foot injury of any type in a diabetic needs specialist care.

It does sound as though you got the splinter out and your foot is OK, op, but do be careful.

marmaladehound · 28/07/2021 21:19

[quote User5827372728]@marmaladehound

Agreed! However, unfortunately the OP isn’t able to see the nurse or GP, so a&e may be the only option for it to be checked.[/quote]
No it is not. She could also go to a pharmacist. They are far more useful than people realise. If really needed a walk in centre. Plenty of out of hours GPs based there. It's neither an Accident nor and Emergency... the clue is in the name of the department!

Tupperwarelid · 28/07/2021 21:23

As a type 1 diabetic I haven’t had a face to face appointment with my consultant or nurse since March 2020 (just before lockdown started). It’s all been by phone so no-one has checked my feet since then. I would go to A walk-in clinic/urgent care/ a&e to be on the safe side. I’ve found whenever I’ve rung 111 or gone to the pharmacy as soon as you say you are diabetic they won’t touch you with a barge pole!

marmaladehound · 28/07/2021 21:24

Shakethedisease

I know. Everyone thinks GPs are not working hard, I know they are, like the rest of us. The pandemic has made their job even harder to do well. They play such an important role in keeping people healthy, out of hospital, and getting early diagnosis etc. This is why that limited amount of access for such a long time is having such a big knock on effect and we are sadly seeing it in spades where I work.