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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave A&E…

62 replies

rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 19:45

Sorry to add to all the A&E threads.

On Saturday I hit my head badly and I’ve had headaches ever since. I didn’t black out, but I did get knocked to the ground. No nausea, no vision changes. But have had general sense of not right, headaches, and deep desire to lie in a dark room in silence. Sharp pain has gone but the dull pain remains and isn’t going away.

Called the GP. She said it was borderline but ultimately I should probably go to A&E so a doctor there could make a call on whether I need a CT or not.

Got here at 3pm. Have had my obs done 2 hours ago but nothing since. At this time I’m thinking they won’t do CTs until the morning anyway.

Fully charged phone but I can’t really do sustained phone reading due to the headache. Mainly sitting here with my eyes closed and sunglasses on, looking v hungover.

Thinking I should just sack this and take my chances at home. AIBU?

OP posts:
milkmaiden · 08/06/2022 20:31

It's really not right how inadequate A&E is.
I went once for something minor just to check whether I had broken something but there was one doctor and they were just hanging about.

Definitely stay. Also tell them how bad/worse you are and that you need to be seen urgently.

PerfectionValley · 08/06/2022 20:31

I'm in A & E now and I had a CT within the last hour so I'd wait it out as they definitely do them late.

Vapeyvapevape · 08/06/2022 20:35

If a hospital has an A&E department then CT scanners will run 24/7

7eleven · 08/06/2022 20:37

Poor thing. Can you close your eyes and have a nice day dream about something?

You need to just endure the wait, as you know.

Minimalme · 08/06/2022 20:40

Hope you get seen soon op - head pain sucks big hairy balls doesn't it?

Can you tell them that you would like to lie down in a darker place?

I have had a head injury and they turned the lights off for me.

Hope it all works out Flowers

Toddlerteaplease · 08/06/2022 20:53

Vapeyvapevape · 08/06/2022 20:35

If a hospital has an A&E department then CT scanners will run 24/7

Correct! And an emergency MRI can also happen at 3 am if required.

TheOriginalEmu · 08/06/2022 21:03

kimblerk · 08/06/2022 20:12

i’m amazed you think (less than) a 5 hour wait in a&e is unacceptably long, you could be there for 12 hours with the way things are right now. If you feel able to leave and go home, why did you bother attending a&e in the first place?

No reason to be so mean. The OP is clearly feeling shitty and that affects clarity of thought. As do head injuries. Feeling like you can leave doesn’t mean you should and is a really dangerous thing to say.

PuffyMcPuffFace · 08/06/2022 21:07

Minimalme · 08/06/2022 20:40

Hope you get seen soon op - head pain sucks big hairy balls doesn't it?

Can you tell them that you would like to lie down in a darker place?

I have had a head injury and they turned the lights off for me.

Hope it all works out Flowers

Given there aren't even seats in a lot of A&E waiting rooms right now, I highly doubt they're going to find a darkened room for the OP to lie down on unfortunately

Katya213 · 08/06/2022 21:08

They will do a CT scan regardless of the time of day.

CharlotteRose90 · 08/06/2022 21:22

It’s a hospital the scanners are open all night. I’ve had MRIs and CTs the middle of the night before. It’s as and when they get a space just wait it out and you’ll be seen,

Badgirlriri · 08/06/2022 21:26

When I had a head injury I was told the doctors wouldn’t be concerned unless I’d been knocked unconscious and vomited at least twice. So I would think you’re ok but best to get checked.

LizzieSiddal · 08/06/2022 21:29

Hope you’re ok, ignore the nasty comments Flowers and hope you get seen soon.

Fridgemagnetto · 08/06/2022 21:36

Burgoo · 08/06/2022 19:49

If you want to be medically cleared then stay. If you don't then don't.

Either way its not like A&E are going to be overly upset. What do you actually want? You do realise they do CT scans out of hours right? It doesn't stop at 5pm.

I think this depends on area. My DP was taken to hospital on a Friday morning with severe abdominal pain and a fever. By the time he had been seen by someone who decided he needed a scan it was evening. He had to wait in absolute agony on a ward all weekend for a CT scan as nothing seemed to happen at the weekend. No scans, no consultants, just monitoring by nurses. On the Monday he was rushed into surgery immediately after the scan which detected a perforated ulcer.

Basilbrushgotfat · 08/06/2022 21:38

Hope you're seen soon, op. It sounds like a concussion at the very least, but definitely needs to be medically cleared - wouldn't take a chance with head injuries.

chris8888 · 08/06/2022 21:43

Stay its boring and when your in pain seems endless but you went to get checked out properly so just stay for your health.

SunnyShiner · 08/06/2022 21:46

Ignore the rude ones. You're in the best place, just sit tight and I hope you're seen soon x

NamelessNancy · 08/06/2022 22:02

YANBU to have gone to A&E on the advice of the GP.

YANBU to be fed up of waiting whilst feeling unwell although I think if you leave now YABU.

YABVVVVU to post an A&E thread here and not expect a horrible pile on!

All the best. Hope they see you soon.

Original poster
rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 22:02

Hello - I have just been seen, in a taxi home. Doctor saw me, asked some questions, did some extremely simple tests (follow my finger, touch your nose, squeeze my thumb etc). Then gave me a leaflet and sent me on my way. I think it was a ten minute consultation after a 7 hour wait.

I guess I just don’t really understand why my GP couldn’t have done that, if she seen me face to face. A bit baffling really. (I wonder whether GPs might be deskilling themselves or getting less confident, so much easier to send someone to A&E than make the wrong call?)

Many thanks to everyone who told me to stay. The conversation was useful and reassuring.

Looking forward to some tea and toast when I get home.

OP posts:
Original poster
rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 22:03

@NamelessNancy yes you are quite right there! Should have expected it 🤣

OP posts:
stripesorspotsorwhat · 08/06/2022 22:05

I'm glad you've been seen and you're now on your way home.

By the way, has anyone mentioned concussion?

Original poster
rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 22:10

@stripesorspotsorwhat yes they said it’s mild concussion or contusion (either a brain shake or a brain bruise, impossible to say) and that there’s nothing really I can do. Also said that even if it is bleeding a bit they wouldn’t do anything to treat it. But to come back if I suddenly start having new and alarming symptoms.

Seven hours wait and so much NHS admin wasted - to squeeze a doctor’s finger and be given a leaflet. There has to be something inbetween A&E and a GP.

OP posts:
meowzeer · 08/06/2022 22:35

Imo gp done the right thing. They are not the same as a and e Dr's and whilst she could have checked your reflexes she couldn't have done a ct scan meaning you'd have had a telephone call, gp appointment and then to a and e, taking much longer. I think you need to understand that in a and e people come in with emergencies such as heart attack, stroke and therefore you were triaged in order of priority. You come across as very impatient.

onlythreenow · 08/06/2022 22:35

I'm glad you waited it out OP and hope you feel better soon. Flowers

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 08/06/2022 22:40

rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 22:10

@stripesorspotsorwhat yes they said it’s mild concussion or contusion (either a brain shake or a brain bruise, impossible to say) and that there’s nothing really I can do. Also said that even if it is bleeding a bit they wouldn’t do anything to treat it. But to come back if I suddenly start having new and alarming symptoms.

Seven hours wait and so much NHS admin wasted - to squeeze a doctor’s finger and be given a leaflet. There has to be something inbetween A&E and a GP.

Depressing to see you slagging off your GP, who gave you good and prompt advice, correctly saying this was borderline for needing investigation, but clearly taking your ongoing symptoms into account.

I’m both an A&E doctor and a GP. A GP has 10 minutes to assess you. In A&E, you are observed over time, and that is immensely valuable in making a diagnosis. A diagnosis isn’t just about the tests that are done; it’s also about observation. A&E has the luxury (even if it doesn’t feel like a luxury!) of time. Also, A&E doctors see dozens of head injuries a week, whereas your GP probably sees a few a year. But your GP will know about many conditions that an A&E doctor hasn’t a clue about.

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 08/06/2022 22:40

rainyskylight · 08/06/2022 22:02

Hello - I have just been seen, in a taxi home. Doctor saw me, asked some questions, did some extremely simple tests (follow my finger, touch your nose, squeeze my thumb etc). Then gave me a leaflet and sent me on my way. I think it was a ten minute consultation after a 7 hour wait.

I guess I just don’t really understand why my GP couldn’t have done that, if she seen me face to face. A bit baffling really. (I wonder whether GPs might be deskilling themselves or getting less confident, so much easier to send someone to A&E than make the wrong call?)

Many thanks to everyone who told me to stay. The conversation was useful and reassuring.

Looking forward to some tea and toast when I get home.

GP’s are, as ever, General Practitioners not experts in many specific fields, and certainly not in trauma. A&E was the right place for you to be assessed when erring on the side of caution.

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