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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to not send doc a pic of private area

192 replies

Pud26 · 30/09/2021 20:45

Bit of a long winded one sorry!!

My 2 year old son is having issues down below.

He's red raw and blistering and complaining about it being sore. (Don't blame him it looks horrendous)

This has been going on for a week now, he's not sleeping at night because it's sore and itchy and is itching it like mad! He is now hating have his nappy changed or going in the bath it's traumatising!!

I phoned the doctors today and got a student who said take photos of it and send them through! I absolutely refused as I wouldn't take photos of my sons bits regardless. The doctors then said they had no appointments available and if I didn't send through photos then there was nothing they could do.

Aibu to not send photos to a email address???

OP posts:
Flufferty · 30/09/2021 20:58

You're stopping your son from accessing appropriate treatment

Alleycat02 · 30/09/2021 20:59

That is just disgusting that they're refusing to see a 2 year old in person for that sort of issue that is causing pain and distress 😢
I wouldn't feel comfortable either sending photos of my child's privates!
No fewer than 2 of my friends in the last week have tried to get an appointment for their small children who were screaming in pain, only to be told that there's no chance of being seen in person. It's horrible and I think you should complain to your GP surgery. What other options would you have, take him to A&E and wait for hours??

Original poster
Pud26 · 30/09/2021 20:59

I have tried bepanthan, sudocreme, metanium and countless others.

I couldn't take a photo and then edit out the bits, it wouldn't be worth the photo it's the private bits that's having the issues...

I haven't and I will call them tomorrow.

I considered moving doctors before this for different reasons but today has just annoyed the living daylights out of me and I'm so angry they left a 2 year old to suffer.

Sorry I should have said I did go to the chemist and they gave me some cream to try without seeing him. (I went in myself and explained the situation)

OP posts:
Bagamoyo1 · 30/09/2021 20:59

There aren’t specific rules about this as far as I know.

I’m a GP and we wouldn’t ask for photos of intimate areas, in adults or children. People have still sent them, which is fine, but we would never ask. The ones we’ve been sent we’ve deleted after seeing them , rather than saving them to the records.

Personally I wouldn’t be very happy in your situation OP, but I would do it if it was the only way to get treatment. I would then ask for them to be deleted.

Iloveabourbon2 · 30/09/2021 20:59

@Siennabear

It’s for the doctors though? NHS email is a secure email. They are professionals and need to see the problem?,
Yes the Dr needs to see!! In person.

I'm shocked at your response. I had an issue in the height of the pandemic and there's no way I would of been sending pics of my groin to my GP surgery through some type of txt and the link you click on. Besides some things need to be viewed properly in person

The Dr never suggested that anyway. I was able to see my GP in person.

Theredjellybean · 30/09/2021 21:00

I'm a gp and I can tell you absolutely the guidance from the GMC and NHS England has been no pics or video consulting that involves looking at sensitive areas of anatomy.
The systen that should be used is a specific bit of tech that sends the pt a link from the gp, the pt replies with a photo which uploads and saves straight into their medical records.
Its very secure and there is no screening or going to a generic inbox etc.. However even with that, we shpukd never ask for photos of genitals, female breasts, etc.
If it was a student or trainee then they need better supervision, I'd ring and ask to speak to the practice manager.
And it sounds like thrush... You can buy over bthe counter canestan cream and try that first

helpforayounggirl · 30/09/2021 21:00

Genitian violet. Try it out. You should be able to get it over the counter. If you've tried what's available at the chemist and the kid is still in pain, send a photo. Sorting his pain out is more important. In all probability the photo will be examined and deleted.

Joystir59 · 30/09/2021 21:00

You are sending them to a Dr, it wouldn't worry me, but I'd take him to a&e if he's that sore and miserable

HighlandCowbag · 30/09/2021 21:02

I would kick off too OP, your son is entitled to dignity and privacy and this is failing on both counts.

Chainson · 30/09/2021 21:02

@Cbtb I've reported your post as it looks like there's a pic you didn't mean to upload!

DotsandCo · 30/09/2021 21:03

@toothpicklover

I work in a GP surgery we are not allowed to ask for photos of genitals of adults let alone children. I would complain to the surgery.
Well this can't be true, because my partner was asked to send photos of his penis only last week on Ask My GP when he had a nasty (what turned out to be 🤦‍♀️) allergic rash on it. Mega embarrassing as it was, he had phoned through on the system that we now have to bloody use for the e-consult thing, and was asked to send photos 🤷‍♀️ Only then did he get an actual face to face zoom type consult.
Drbrowns · 30/09/2021 21:03

Have you tried cavilon spray? When my little one was suffering from severe nappy rash cause by e.coli, it was recommended by a nurse who specific Wound care. It’s like a film On the skin so nothing touches it, and allows it to heel.

Cbtb · 30/09/2021 21:03

It dosent matter if it’s to a dr. There is no defence in law “for medical reasons” creating and sending an indecent image of a child is illegal even for the best of reasons. There has been some debate in the medical community about this but the law is clear. It is illegal and could result in prosecution. Do Not Send

ChuckMater · 30/09/2021 21:04

Ring 111 and get seen by out of hours if your gp won't see you in person. Hope DS is feeling better soon.

Drbrowns · 30/09/2021 21:04

Also your not being unreasonable. I wouldn’t send a photo like that over email.

Cbtb · 30/09/2021 21:04

Images of adults are not illegal. Embarrassing and need to be confidential yes but not illegal

TimeIhadaNameChange · 30/09/2021 21:05

What about showing a photo to the pharmacist? I did that recently when I had a possible bullseye rash.

allofthecheese · 30/09/2021 21:06

My son was due for a consultation before surgery and they asked me for a picture and video consultation. I refused and was seen in person instead. This was during lockdown. I wouldn't be taking photos either.

neeenor · 30/09/2021 21:08

Omg no! This would be an indecent image and you should absolutely not send it.

This is horrendous and you need to complain.

MiddleClassProblem · 30/09/2021 21:09

Any SMAs out the know this 100% is a thing since the first lockdown. Our gp sends a secure upload link. I had one for a dodgy mole. Surely you’re taking a pretty close up photo of the rash so it won’t show anything identifying and maybe only certain parts of his privates. Totally get why the process makes you feel conferenced though. It’s totally a thing that GP’s are doing.

Babadobabadobah!

Jessica60 · 30/09/2021 21:09

Do not send it in. No way

DeepaBeesKit · 30/09/2021 21:09

I sent a photo of my child's genital area, however it was not via email it was a link to a secure system. I also zoomed and edited the picture to show the infected skin without really making it possible to identify the part of the body.

If you aren't comfortable with it insist upon a face to face appointment - you have every right to.

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/09/2021 21:09

Our local(ish) walk in centre is and has been open throughout the past 18 months. Do you have one in your area?: you may have to wait a while but he’ll be checked out in person.
I wouldn’t want to leave him in that discomfort a moment longer than I had to.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 30/09/2021 21:10

You should phone 111, they may be able to help.

Envoitrevisage · 30/09/2021 21:10

@Chainson so have I.

@Cbtb you might want to report your own post ASAP too.