To ask if there are any GPs here

[Bluffysummers]

Please I’m desperate.

My daughter has had diarrhoea for 3 weeks and our GP won’t see us, each time they’ve directed us to OOO, who can’t do anything except for dioralite and that’s just not doing anything.

She’s looking so unwell, pale and dark circles. She’s completely regressed potty training wise (obviously) so is mortified, she’s terrified to eat anything because it could trigger it. She’s bound to be getting malnourished and she was faltering growth before due to repeated infections and illnesses.

What can I do? I know I need to see the GP but what should I be asking for? I think a stool sample but I asked last week and they said they have no containers.

Weve been doing a v bland diet for 2 weeks, no dairy, no acidic or spicey foods and it’s not helping. No juice, no sugar/ sweeteners.

I’m going to beg the drs to see us but I find that works better when I know what to ask for?

Any one? Please? I’m so worried about her

How old is she? Def time for a gp appointment. I’d be worried too.

Have you tried calling 111 for advice? My child has had multiple health problems, sometimes it's not easy but if you aren't getting anywhere, you need to be really assertive and flatly refuse to be fobbed off by GP.

Hope your DD is OK

Oh wow that’s so hard and you must be so worried. You really do need to get back on the phone and demand an emergency appointment or bring your little girl to an emergency department. 3 weeks of that is dangerous for anyone but particularly a small child. Swallow and fear and demand to be seen x

Oh I thought I mentioned her age, you can tell I’m stressed. She’s only 2.5

I’ve called 3 times before and they won’t see us, I’ll try tomorrow, each time before they’ve sent us to out of hours despite being in hours.

Does anyone know what I should be asking the GP for. The receptionist is just passing on the message that it should clear up on it’s own, dr can’t see you but you can make an appointment at the OOO service.

I should also say that her nappies today, yes she’s totally regressed and she’s so humiliated, have been very very mucousy

NHS says call 111 now if your child has had diarrhoea for 7 days. I would do that now if it was me. If no luck there, then call GPs first thing, insist on an emergency appointment and if they refuse, quote the NHS guidance at them and threaten to take it further if they don't see her quickly. Good luck OP
www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/

@Vispa

Have you tried calling 111 for advice? My child has had multiple health problems, sometimes it's not easy but if you aren't getting anywhere, you need to be really assertive and flatly refuse to be fobbed off by GP.

Yup, it’s you need to see your GP and when I’ve said I can’t; they send us to OOO. I called them to see if they could book an app with my GP (i know it’s not what they’re for but I’m desperate)

[quote Vispa]NHS says call 111 now if your child has had diarrhoea for 7 days. I would do that now if it was me. If no luck there, then call GPs first thing, insist on an emergency appointment and if they refuse, quote the NHS guidance at them and threaten to take it further if they don't see her quickly. Good luck OP
www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/[/quote]
They’ve sent us to OOO before who said it ‘should clear up on its own, we can’t do a lot here, we don’t have stool containers, just keep her hydrated’. I’m pulling my hair out, the child was faltering growth from so many illnesses and she just rebounded on a weight gain diet and now she’s too terrified to eat.

Ring the health visitor and explain, failing that speak to the practice manager and explain

I'm sorry to hear your Dd is poorly, sounds horrible.
If you can't get her into the go tomorrow tell them you are going to a & e and go there if you have to, follow your instincts xx

That should say GP

On going symptoms of 3 weeks I a child that age needs GP. ( as you know) . Ring tomorrow state OOO have said you need GP appt. I'd also ask to speak to their triage service not the receptionist and ask if they have documented yiur recurrent calls in hsr notes. If they still say no practice manager and official complaint. Then I'd also contact Helth Visitor and.peads team.if she has one for her previous history

@Saltyquiche

Ring the health visitor and explain, failing that speak to the practice manager and explain

We don’t have them past 1 here.

I did ask for the practice managers details last week, only to be told they don’t have one, not sure that’s true? Can it even be true?

My child had diarrhoea for 2 weeks and they did a stool sample so they'll do that first. My daughters was a tummy bug and cleared up around day 20

I obviously can't type at this time.of night!

I think you need to be really pushy, demand to have her seen, flatly refuse to go to OOO (say you've done that and it didn't help, she is now deteriorating) tell them you want to speak to the practice manager, put in a complaint if they don't see her the same day, basically refuse to back down, and try and make people accountable for refusing to take action. I find making a point of (politely but firmly) asking for the name of the person fobbing me of helps make them nervous that I'm going to complain and they tend to suddenly be more helpful. Failing that I would take her to A&E. I'm so sorry OP, it shouldn't be like this

@Ljmumun

On going symptoms of 3 weeks I a child that age needs GP. ( as you know) . Ring tomorrow state OOO have said you need GP appt. I'd also ask to speak to their triage service not the receptionist and ask if they have documented yiur recurrent calls in hsr notes. If they still say no practice manager and official complaint. Then I'd also contact Helth Visitor and.peads team.if she has one for her previous history

Luckily she does have a paed, he’s quite unresponsive by emails as it goes to his secretary and then to him and then back to her secretary and to us, but I’ll send an email and call first thing

Fucking piss take, I’m so angry. She can’t catch a break bless her. Woke up sobbing because she’d dirtied her favourite PJs, so embarrassed she took of her sleep sack and tried to hide it.

DS had diarrhoea problems and he was given

• blood tests to see if he was celiac
• a stool sample test (not sure what for, infection/parasite maybe?)
• a referral to a paediatrician to discuss possible food allergy

Is nonsense that there are no stool sample containers. I bought some on amazon yesterday for £2 for my dog. You have to catch the poo in whatever you choose (again amazon have stuff) and then teaspoon it into the sample, all GP has to do is provide a stickon label.

If your GP is this bad make a formal complaint to practice manager / ask for second opinion / take her to minor injuries or a&e.

In the meantime do as much reading as you can online on possible causes eg is it a sudden recent thing or could it be a food intolerance?

Good luck xxxxxxxxxx

Also as pp said, follow your instincts, if you are really worried then go to A&E.

Not doing tests because they don’t have the correct container??

That’s appalling. They need to get her an appointment where they DO have the correct containers then

It can’t be the case that the practice has no practice manager, but another route would be to insist on an appointment with one of the GP practice partners. And say you will be complaining if that isn’t forthcoming tomorrow. Then call the CCG and ask them what you should do to get your young child adequate medical care in their area.

Do you have to tell them what you need the appointment for? If not, just book it.

Otherwise, I hope someone can come and give you better advice.

You can buy a sterile urine and/or stool container from a pharmacy for pennies. I'd get one, collect a stool sample and ring the GP practice asking if the GP can write a pathology form out to have it send off for analysis. Normally for MC&S and possibly parasites.

Has she been on a course of antibiotics recently? Is she keeping fluids down? Bananas help replace potassium and also firm stools up. Kefir, yakult and plain yoghurt can help replace some of the good gut bacteria. If she is lethargic and as ill as you say, and the GP still won't see you, I'd consider A&E- esp as you have tried 111 already.

I will no doubt be flamed for this - I would wait until your GP has closed and take her to A&E - especially if you have a children’s hospital near you.

Your GP should be seeing you, the receptionist is not qualified to make an assessment. If your child is still unwell after 3 weeks then this is not ok.

I am not someone who misuses A&E - in fact we are rarely at the doctor, but this just isn’t ok at all.

Go to A&E. If they have a problem with you ask them to call your GP to read them the riot act.