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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP won’t see sick toddler in case Covid

215 replies

SupaTeddy · 08/10/2021 09:37

My 3yo has some sort of flu bug and is vomiting clear liquid, runny nose and cough, he hasn’t eaten since Wed and is drinking very little. The bug started on Sat but eating and drinking didn’t stop till Wed. Multiple LFT tests are negative. I have the same bug.

GP said they will telephone today but won’t see him unless he has a negative PCR. That could take another day or two to get a result and I’m worried.

AIBU to think they should see a sick child regardless when he’s vomiting and not eating? What should I do if they won’t see him?

OP posts:
Original poster
SupaTeddy · 08/10/2021 11:35

I have booked a PCR today. But I’m annoyed that he was seen by a doctor six days ago and he didn’t even suggest it might be Covid.

OP posts:
SusieBob · 08/10/2021 11:36

@SupaTeddy

What is your reason for not wanting to do a PCR? Because we were at A&E on Saturday and the doctor never said it might be Covid or suggested a PCR. He said it was probably a flu bug.
Without a PCR test that doctor has no idea whether your child has covid.

Your choice is either get a test to allow you to see your GP.... or you don't. If you have the same bug you should be getting tested as well.

Tippexy · 08/10/2021 11:37

@SupaTeddy

OP - YABVU - I cannot believe you have not already ordered and done a covid test given your little one has symptoms for covid We don’t have Covid symptoms. Just flu symptoms. No fever or loss of smell, and only an occasional cough. Plus multiple negative LFTs.
Dear Lord how are we this far into it and people still don’t understand? Shock

Cough = PCR!!

Original poster
SupaTeddy · 08/10/2021 11:38

Also has it never occurred to you that the nhs has never updated the Covid symptom list
How am I supposed to know that? You tend to assume the NHS advice is correct. The NHS SHOULD be correct! It says nothing about runny nose or vomiting.

OP posts:
HappyTimeTunnelDinosaur · 08/10/2021 11:38

Stop blaming the docs, the only barrier is the pcr test, which they told you when you tried to book a face to face appointment. Now it is booked you will be able to see the doc and there will be no problem.

dreamingbohemian · 08/10/2021 11:40

I think the GP is being unreasonable

Remember that at least 30% of covid cases do not have any symptoms at all. So in practice, every single person who visits the practice poses a risk of contagion. It's not as simple as, you have X symptom, you can't come in.

It's completely understandable to limit the number of patients who come in overall, to reduce the overall risk, but if a patient needs to be seen in person then the GP should make that happen in some way or another.

Lesserspottedmama · 08/10/2021 11:40

Bloody hell. That’s horrendous. GP should be ashamed, no professional integrity, compassion, care or human decency.

Crunchymum · 08/10/2021 11:41

@SupaTeddy

You took your DC to A&E on the day his symptoms started? May I ask why? I understand your concern now but did you really take a child to A&E immediately upon presentation of "flu like" symptoms? And not one perosn mentioned Covid?

Ring 111 and let them advise. I wish little one a speedy recovery but something doesn't seem quite right here? (I mean how can you think a cough doesn't warrant a PCR?)

BlueberrySugar · 08/10/2021 11:42

There are red zones GP surgeries who see people with suspected covid and covid. Ask to go there.

TheGrumpyGoat · 08/10/2021 11:43

Did he have a temperature on the day symptoms started? I’m surprised you took him to a&e on day 1 of symptoms.

dreamingbohemian · 08/10/2021 11:43

Can people please stop calling the OP stupid. This is what the government website says:

Get a PCR test as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, even if mild:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

The OP's child does not have any of those symptoms. It's not her fault the government advice is so woefully out of date.

Crunchymum · 08/10/2021 11:46

But the child has a cough, the OP says so in her very first sentence?

ItsSnowJokes · 08/10/2021 11:46

Drs can see patients even if they have covid as my daughter was seen in person by our GP over the summer when she was covid positive. They thought she may have Guillain Barre Syndrome and wanted to see her as a matter of urgency after I did an econsult. I spelt it out over and over again that she was covid positive and they said they still want to see her.

Get a covid test, and then get back on at the GP and say you need to be seen.

vivainsomnia · 08/10/2021 11:47

He was seen in Saturday. From what you describe as a change since Wednesday, what is it that absolutely requires your child to be seen as opposed to you telling the GP what these are?

He can advise you in the phone without seeing your child from what you describe and then issue a prescription if needed.

It's not just your child who has symptoms but you.

You really are being unreasonable. Did you say no to the offer of a phone consultation?

YearsSinceISawYou · 08/10/2021 11:48

The GP is probably very very very very busy. Much too busy to see an ill child. Instead, make yourself of the timed appointments at A&E, as previous posters have suggested.

The A&E doctors must have some magic protection that allows them to see patients but our dear GPs don't have that protection and so must shelter on their sofas, counting their money, watching Catchphrase and eating Pringles!

They are so terribly busy, busier than ever. There are waiting rooms full of people to see them, that's how very very busy they are.

They are busier than a very busy thing and you are being unreasonable in expecting them to see an ill child.

If they can, they will try to 'phone you-at their own convenience-and they will tell you to take him to A&E, where someone else can do the job they're paid to do.

Asleanna · 08/10/2021 11:48

Why are you saying you have no symptoms? You said you all have a cough. Just get a PCR test done!
If your toddler gets worse, trust your instinct and head to A and E.

Swimmingwiththefishes · 08/10/2021 11:48

OP, I'm so sorry your little one is unwell.

BUT...I can't believe that people still don't know that you DON'T do LFT when you are unwell - they are unreliable. As soon as you have any symptom, do a PCR test which are usually back pretty quickly and then all ok.

Whenever my 20 month old has a fever or a cough we immediately do a PCR: it's quick, we give him a biscuit and then we are covered for taking him to doctors or back to nursery when he's better.

Is there a drive thru centre nearby?

gordongrumpy · 08/10/2021 11:49

I do wonder if all these people who think "I have a virus", especially when that virus includes a cough, and yet don't think "covid is a virus, I wonder if it's covid" have been living under a rock for the past nearly two years. Why would you even NEED someone to TELL you to get a PCR test? It's not like covid can have passed you by (unless you actually were in an underground bunker away from the rest of the world, and have only just emerged...) you both have viral symptoms, with a cough, that means get a covid test.

If you think your child is dehydrated, ask for a GP telephone assessment, or video assessment. It's just not safe to expose your child to all the sick people attending GP surgeries for their chemo bloods etc.

It's not a doctor's fault you haven't booked a PCR test, and have some daft resistance to doing so- you've been told to book one, you should have booked one as soon as your child was coughing. If anyone has delayed your child getting help, it's you. Stop blaming everyone else. If you'd booked it first thing this morning, from some test centers you'd have the result by mid-afternoon, and could even be seen before the GP shuts. By arguing why you shouldn't get a test, you've delayed all that.

Original poster
SupaTeddy · 08/10/2021 11:49

You took your DC to A&E on the day his symptoms started? May I ask why?
Because his face swelled up like a pudding as well as the flu symptoms, and I was worried he wouldn’t be able to breathe. The hospital doctor said it’s probably an allergic reaction plus a flu bug, gave him an antihistamine and sent him home to rest and recover from the flu bug. Except the flu bug didn’t go away, and after four days the vomiting and not eating started.

OP posts:
Asleanna · 08/10/2021 11:52

@YearsSinceISawYou

The GP is probably very very very very busy. Much too busy to see an ill child. Instead, make yourself of the timed appointments at A&E, as previous posters have suggested.

The A&E doctors must have some magic protection that allows them to see patients but our dear GPs don't have that protection and so must shelter on their sofas, counting their money, watching Catchphrase and eating Pringles!

They are so terribly busy, busier than ever. There are waiting rooms full of people to see them, that's how very very busy they are.

They are busier than a very busy thing and you are being unreasonable in expecting them to see an ill child.

If they can, they will try to 'phone you-at their own convenience-and they will tell you to take him to A&E, where someone else can do the job they're paid to do.

This is not nice at all. Making out that GP's do nothing. I know plenty of GP's up til god knows what time sorting out their work. My GP surgery are seeing patients. The op and her family have had symptoms of covid since Saturday, if they'd got a test as per the gov website then perhaps the GP would see them?
Sprostongreen21 · 08/10/2021 11:52

NHS pages have to follow the government: it’s the governments advice. Most of us that actually work with it know they aren’t covid’s only symptoms and never have been.

If you are concerned about dehydration then a&e or urgent care may be needed. I can’t blame the GP they may not have the space to see potential covid patients in a safer area to keep them away from other patients. It would be likely a doctor send you to hospital anyway if he is potentially dehydrated and not taking fluids.

Swimmingwiththefishes · 08/10/2021 11:52

@dreamingbohemian

Can people please stop calling the OP stupid. This is what the government website says:

Get a PCR test as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, even if mild:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

The OP's child does not have any of those symptoms. It's not her fault the government advice is so woefully out of date.

I mean, OPs first sentence:

My 3yo has some sort of flu bug and is vomiting clear liquid, runny nose and cough

ejhhhhh · 08/10/2021 11:55

Tbh, in cases like these, it wouldn't even occur to me to go via my GP, I'd just call 111. I think, rightly or wrongly, that GPs don't really offer an urgent care service anymore, if they ever did, it's impossible go get an urgent appointment. Given that we have a relatively new urgent care and minor injuries centre in our town (not a hospital), I thought that was all part of the government's NHS reorganisation! If we call 111 and need to see a doctor urgently, that's where we get sent. I'd ring 111 and see what they say, they'll make you an appointment somewhere if they think you need one.

KloppsTeeth · 08/10/2021 11:55

I am amazed that we are so far along in the pandemic, with messages everywhere and yet people still don’t know that is is any one of the symptoms for a PCR test.
I’m sorry your child is unwell, but you need a PCR test and a check to see where your nearest service is to be seen by someone who is prepped to come across covid positive people.

TheGrumpyGoat · 08/10/2021 11:57

@ejhhhhh

Tbh, in cases like these, it wouldn't even occur to me to go via my GP, I'd just call 111. I think, rightly or wrongly, that GPs don't really offer an urgent care service anymore, if they ever did, it's impossible go get an urgent appointment. Given that we have a relatively new urgent care and minor injuries centre in our town (not a hospital), I thought that was all part of the government's NHS reorganisation! If we call 111 and need to see a doctor urgently, that's where we get sent. I'd ring 111 and see what they say, they'll make you an appointment somewhere if they think you need one.
I think you’re right in some ways. Our GP don’t even like you phoning anymore, you have to submit an online appointment request which is reviewed by a GP within 48 hours and then they decide if you need a telephone appointment. Once they speak to you on the phone, they decide if you need to be seen. 3 days have usually passed by then. So certainly no good for urgent issues.