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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you can wait for a GP you shouldn't be in A&E

253 replies

Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 14:48

Was in A&E overnight last night and was confused and then a bit annoyed about a situation and wanted to see what others thought

I arrived at A&E for 18:00, was told it was very busy (when is it not) and the waits were 5+ hours. I was triaged and sat in the waiting room

At 02:00 a nurse came in and made an announcement. Saying that waits were still really long because they've got 15 ambulances waiting but there is a GP based at the hospital who will be in from 08:00, if people would prefer to go home and come back they would be seen by the GP.

And half of the waiting room got up and left!

AIBU to think that if you can wait until morning you don't need to be in A&E.

Surely the issue isn't that urgent or an emergency if you can bugger off home and come back in the morning!

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:08

Then you're a bit silly

I’m really not. There’s no need to resort to insults.

What do you mean by “urgent care”? We do not have “urgent care” in my part of the country. Why should I know about it if I haven’t ever had to access it?

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:09

@Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim how many of those in A&E wouldn't be local?

Surely a very small volume

Especially as it's not a summer holiday destination town.

Anyone who lives near will be in the same GP radius, a GP group of practices that are regularly well rated and people rarely complain about long wait times

Anyone who lives locally would also be well aware of the urgent care units available which are more suitable for issues that can wait

OP posts:
GreenLunchBox · 04/08/2022 15:09

OP sounds like a GF

PickAChew · 04/08/2022 15:09

Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 14:58

@Hillarious it's hardly a trade secret

The hospital has always had an on site GP on weekdays

Maybe the hospital should invest in a bit sign for those who are hard of understanding though to remind them before they check in

Maybe if you're a frequent visitor to A&E you might know that but I have no idea what arrangements my local A&E has because I've never used it.

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:10

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:08

Then you're a bit silly

I’m really not. There’s no need to resort to insults.

What do you mean by “urgent care”? We do not have “urgent care” in my part of the country. Why should I know about it if I haven’t ever had to access it?

It doesn't really matter if you don't understand the words urgent and care

Unless all the people who got up and left (over 70) weren't local it doesn't matter you don't understand what one is

Which doesn't sound very likely

OP posts:
Trimalata · 04/08/2022 15:10

If it can wait until morning its not for A&E only really works if its not otherwise or partly used by the NHS itself as front door to the hospital. Twice- once for my son, once for me, we were directed by our GP (pre Covid, so face to face) to A&E. Both times we didn't look particularly poorly (because I know lots of MN'ers have magical triage eyes) but were in surgery within 24-36 hours.

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:10

Anyone who lives locally would also be well aware of the urgent care units available which are more suitable for issues that can wait

How? If you’re not a frequent visitor to your GP or other health care setting, why would you know about those services?

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:11

GreenLunchBox · 04/08/2022 15:09

OP sounds like a GF

GF?

Guilty Frenchman

Gullible fancy

Goat friend

OP posts:
Xiaoxiong · 04/08/2022 15:11

Our local urgent care and minor injuries units were both closed during covid and never reopened. Our options are GP or A&E only, and there is no first come first serve GP service at our hospital.

I have been sent to A&E by the pharmacist before when I knew I needed a prescription for antibiotics (cellulitis from a wasp sting), but I needed it within the week no other option but to go to A&E and wait. If they had announced I could see a GP at 8am the next morning I would have gone home too!

Soonberaining · 04/08/2022 15:11

Our urgent care has a GP from 8am. Maybe people presenting at A&E should be told the approximate wait and told that there's a GP available from 8am. Hopefully some would leave then and come back in the morning.

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:11

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:10

Anyone who lives locally would also be well aware of the urgent care units available which are more suitable for issues that can wait

How? If you’re not a frequent visitor to your GP or other health care setting, why would you know about those services?

Because most people go outside their houses, speak to other people, engage on social media

How did they know there was an A&E?

OP posts:
Seeline · 04/08/2022 15:12

Surely if those arriving at A&E really only needed a GP, the triage system is at A&E should send them there?

You are very lucky having A&E, urgent care and on site GP. That is not the case everywhere.

In my area you have to get an appointment through 111 for our walk-in centre!!

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:12

Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:10

It doesn't really matter if you don't understand the words urgent and care

Unless all the people who got up and left (over 70) weren't local it doesn't matter you don't understand what one is

Which doesn't sound very likely

Show quote history

I understand what the words mean. I don’t know what sort of place provides it or how I would access it.

I would like you to enlighten me should I need to seek urgent care.

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:13

Seeline · 04/08/2022 15:12

Surely if those arriving at A&E really only needed a GP, the triage system is at A&E should send them there?

You are very lucky having A&E, urgent care and on site GP. That is not the case everywhere.

In my area you have to get an appointment through 111 for our walk-in centre!!

This was also a question I had, I saw many people checking in and from being so close to the counter I heard their symptoms and I was surprised the person behind the desk didn't just say to them, no this isn't an A&E issue, but I suppose there is a risk with clerical staff making those calls.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:13

Because most people go outside their houses, speak to other people, engage on social media

You are being incredibly goady here. How many of your everyday conversations are about that sort of topic?

Trimalata · 04/08/2022 15:13

Its not even really a difficult one, is it? Wait from 2-8 on no sleep in an A&E waiting room with queues likely getting worse, or nip home and get 6 hours kip and then come back and hopefully get seen.

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/08/2022 15:14

You won’t win friends or influence people with the unpleasant tone you’re taking here. And you don’t know what variations exist around the country as you don’t live in all of them at the moment.

If you want a medal for your superiority then have one but you’re not better than the other people panicking and seeking what medical assistance they can given the shocking state of healthcare in most places right now.

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:15

PurpleDaisies · 04/08/2022 15:13

Because most people go outside their houses, speak to other people, engage on social media

You are being incredibly goady here. How many of your everyday conversations are about that sort of topic?

Not many, but I'm still aware of a very common and basic public service available in my local area

The big road signs saying 'urgent care' on roads throughout the town center, the many posts on FB about how to get there, speaking to doctors at appts throughout the last 5 years (and beyond as everywhere I've ever lived has had an urgent care provision)

Again, how do you think people know about A&E?

OP posts:
CrisisCafe · 04/08/2022 15:15

I have never heard of a daily walk in GP service at a hospital.
Why would anyone wait days/ weeks to see a GP at their surgery if they knew they could just turn up every day and be seen right away.

PickAChew · 04/08/2022 15:15

And our local urgent care is part of A&E. There are standalone urgent care centres at smaller hospitals around the county. They are not all full time.

Original poster
Alfenstein · 04/08/2022 15:17

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/08/2022 15:14

You won’t win friends or influence people with the unpleasant tone you’re taking here. And you don’t know what variations exist around the country as you don’t live in all of them at the moment.

If you want a medal for your superiority then have one but you’re not better than the other people panicking and seeking what medical assistance they can given the shocking state of healthcare in most places right now.

Why does it matter what services are available around the country?

I was referring to a specific situation. In an area with ample care options in the day. Urgent care is open 08:00-22:00 and is much more suited to issues that can wait. As is the hospital GP and practice GPs

I'd never even think about going to A&E for an issue that wasn't an emergency, thus couldn't wait until 08:00 to be seen to

It's kind of in the name of the service tbh

OP posts:
lioncitygirl · 04/08/2022 15:17

GF - Goady fucker

OP - I was in a&e a few weeks ago, I waited 7 hours. I must admit - I didn’t know you could walk into the hospital to see the dr (we eventually left as I didn’t want to wait anymore, it was going to be another 5 hours minimum, my child was falling asleep and the nurse advised to come back the next morning - could we wait? No, child had a fractured foot but no visible bone break so I took the chance and came back next morning).

SkygardenTower · 04/08/2022 15:17

There is no urgent care near me. I checked the NHS website and none. There are 2 A&Es though.

So if I can’t get a GP appointment then the next step up is A&E.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 04/08/2022 15:18

You’re being incredibly presumptuous thinking that everyone should know that there’s a GP at the hospital. Clearly everyone didn’t know that.

There’s a difference between being able to wait until first thing the next morning to see a hospital GP after triage and being able to wait two or three weeks if you’ve been lucky enough to get through to your local GP surgery.

People shouldn’t waste NHS time unnecessarily, that much is obvious, but sometimes people genuinely don’t know if something is urgent or not. Or they know it’s not urgent but they still feel like they need help so they get it the only way they can. Sometimes people are directed to A&E by 111 knowing that it’s not worthy of that, but they understandably don’t want to ignore advice they have been given by the NHS.

You sound like you need to open your mind up a wee bit.

Teacakeandtea · 04/08/2022 15:18

I agree in general that there are a lot of people going to a&e who don’t have to be there. but I also agree that there will have been lots of people you saw leave who actually should have stayed and and really are too sick to be waiting for the GP the next day.

I also think your comment is quite mean, about people being silly for not knowing about urgent care. We don’t have an urgent care anywhere near this area-it is not a countrywide thing. We are also not particularly rural and are fairly close to major city. I don’t have much experience (thankfully!) with hospitals but because minor injuries and urgent care just isn’t a thing here I wouldn’t even think about it. I would think about the GP or A&E and wouldn’t realise there is an inbetween.

I feel so sorry for a&e staff having to work in such busy conditions, it must be exhausting and it’s not even winter yet so only going to get worse

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