To have refused to take DD to A & E

[Polarbearstar]

‘Refused’ sounds more aggressive than it actually was, but DD has not really been quite right for a while now with a perforated ear drum, high temperatures, cold, streaming nose.

Doctor keeps saying to take to A and E and I am unclear what A and E can do that they can’t?

So GP isn’t saying to take her now due to immediate concerns? Just in future? What does GP think is wrong with your child?

Sorry OP, at 16 months I think YABU. The poor little mite may well be in agony but she can't explain yet. I speak as someone who has a chronic ear condition which has led to numerous perforated eardrums. As PP have said, the hospital will be able to use more advanced tests, equipment etc than the GP. If there is infection that could overwhelm a small child very quickly. Please take her to A & E - if it turns out to be something serious do you really want that on your connscience?

Loads of PP have told you what they can do at A&E that a GP cant do in their office, yet you are ignoring that. I really fear for your child.

Op if your daughter has an ear infection that isn't clearing up there's a risk it can spread to the bone and become mastoiditis which requires major surgery to clear. Worst case scenario it can cause meningitis also.

Ear infections can be very serious and your baby is young! Do as the GP says.

Cross post. I wouldn’t take my child to A&E in your situation. That’s the sort of thing a GP should deal with. Or out of hours doc if at night.

Just go to A&E

Perforated ear drum, @LittleSnakes. antibiotics have been prescribed but with a face pull, conveying a sort of ‘don’t really think this will make much difference but …’

@lilahbelle I know, that’s why I took her to the GP.

It would seem this isn’t routine practice to go to A and E instead of the GP routinely, then, which is what I am confused about - no one needs to “fear for my child”.

@RiverRats we don’t need to go to A and E because we saw the GP. In future, however, we are apparently not to go to the GP, we are to go to A and E, which is what I am confused about.

It really doesn’t matter whether you understand or not. You have a sick, young child and are ignoring medical advice.
Why are you so reluctant to go?

This sounds odd, was her temp excessively high?
My DD suffered constantly with this caused by glue ear but we weren't once told to go to A&E. It sounds like you need an ENT referral, maybe A&E is the best way to be seen in ENT now? Everything seems to be turned on its head by Covid.

Sorry, have said the word ‘routine’ far too many times!

I wouldn’t go. You’re allowed to question medical advice. It’s not like you’re questioning it in a life threatening situation. My friend’s kid had repeated ear infections. She was never told to go to A&E. Her child was, however, referred to ENT through her GP.

It was last night, @Blossomandbee, but is now normal. I am hoping to arrange an appointment privately, but I will admit to being really baffled by all of it.

@MrsSkylerWhite because the GP has seen her already.

If there are safeguarding follow ups (there won’t be) I’m happy to justify my point but what I’m really about here is trying to understand why we are being sent to A and E.

Can I ask how you can be sure there won't be a safeguarding follow up? I ask because as a foster carer I was asked to care for a little girl recently whose mother had not taken her to A&E when advised by a GP. I should say this wasn't for a serious/life threatening condition but more a regular children's illness. When she later returned to the GP having not taken his advise to go to A&E the GP reported it to Children's Services as a safeguarding concern and hence she was taken into care while the situation was investigated. I do understand your point of view, and not saying I agree with it, but I just wanted to let you know that safeguarding referrals ARE made in situations like this. I wish your little one well, and in the meantime, however annoying and inconvenient I would do as the GP suggests.

This is nuts

I'm a bit confused.

Has DD had an ear infection that's cleared up, but the GP said if it happens again don't go to the GP go straight to A&E?

Or has the ear infection not cleared up and the GP is saying "I can't get on top of this ear infection, go to A&E"?

Because it does sound a bit daft.

Also, last time I went to GP for ear infection with my child, he said that antibiotics don’t help much. They shorten the infection by one day in a small percentage of children. Most kids, it doesn’t make a difference.

Op I get what you're saying.

I don't understand why I see my gp and get told if it happens again or gets worse I'm to go to a&e, then I eventually end up going to the hospital and they send me to their urgent treatment centre....to see a GP! Doesn't make any sense at all

Hope your little one gets well soon.

@thebellsesmereldathebells

It isn’t about it being a ‘bore.’ It’s about employing common sense. If you are feeling very unwell, being in a bright room for hours being held by a parent or in a pushchair with lots of noise and disruption around you, then that’s going to make you feel worse. Being in a dark room, in your own bed is obviously more comfortable.

At the end of those five hours we were told ‘calpol and fluids.’

As I’ve said, not about it being a ‘bore’ at all. Incidentally, if I spoke to someone at work the way you have addressed me, I would be dismissed. Your tone is appalling.

Ongoing ear infections can have permanent effects. Ask the go to refer you to paediatric outpatients where you can bypass a and e.

@forlornlorna I know what you mean, we’ve been on the carousel of treatment a few times too.

@LittleSnakes that’s interesting as it doesn’t seem to be getting better, which is a worry.

Polarbearstar

“@MrsSkylerWhite because the GP has seen her already.“

Yes. And the GP’s advice was A&E. Do you routinely ignore expert opinion?

[quote Polarbearstar]@thebellsesmereldathebells

It isn’t about it being a ‘bore.’ It’s about employing common sense. If you are feeling very unwell, being in a bright room for hours being held by a parent or in a pushchair with lots of noise and disruption around you, then that’s going to make you feel worse. Being in a dark room, in your own bed is obviously more comfortable.

At the end of those five hours we were told ‘calpol and fluids.’

As I’ve said, not about it being a ‘bore’ at all. Incidentally, if I spoke to someone at work the way you have addressed me, I would be dismissed. Your tone is appalling.[/quote]
Happily I don't work for you, so that's not going to be a problem.

I'll continue to have an 'appalling tone', and you can continue to ignore medical advice to the detriment of your child's health (and very possibly her hearing). I prefer my side of that particular equation

I imagine it's because the GP realised that something more serious had to be ruled out.