Wait for ambulance or just go to A&E?

[ohnoohnoo]

DS (3) saw an OOH Gp last night as he has had a bad cough for a while. She was surprised at how much 'crackling' he had on his lungs and said he had a chest infection and prescribed antibiotics.

I put him in my bed overnight so I could keep a close eye on him as he really hasn't been himself. Woke up about 45 mins ago and he is pulling in a bit at his tummy and neck when breathing. He has had this before as he also has asthma. It's not the worst it's ever done it but you can definitely see it being sucked in.

Just spoke to 111 who said they will send out an ambulance as it is classed as struggling to breath. The call assessor mentioned that there are currently no ambulances available in our area but one would be sent out as soon as possible. He did say that sometimes this can be hours but he hoped that wouldn't be the case and he just has to give people that warning. I asked if I should just drive up to the hospital myself (45 mins away) if the ambulance would take so long but he advised not to as he said that could delay our care if the ambulance ended up getting him there quicker.

So now I'm not sure what to do? Any wise mumsnetters awake with some advice??

Keep an eye on him and wait for the ambulance the handler is right as if he does need hospital the ambulance staff will be able to do hand over compared to you sitting and waiting from scratch at A &E.
If for whatever reason he gets worse and struggles call 999

I would wait for them unless he gets worse in which case you should call back and get the call escalated. Do you still have the blue reliever inhaler from previous episodes that you can use as prescribed while you’re waiting?

We’ve been similarly advised by 111 in the past that we should wait for an ambulance when one of our twins has had breathing difficulties of a similar nature - their reasoning being that it’s difficult to deal with a sudden issue while driving or at the roadside (not to mention that it can then be more difficult for emergency services to locate you at the roadside).

On the occasion most recently (just over a year ago) 111 sent out a community responder who then confirmed an ambulance was needed and the wait was approximately 1 1/2 hours after his visit (and about 4 hours after the initial call). Once we eventually arrived at A&E we were seen by a nurse and assessed, given initial treatment then waited in A&E for a further 6 hours before being moved to the children's unit still waiting to see a Dr. We were told that it was unlikely we would have been seen/moved any more quickly if we had gone in by ourselves rather than waiting for the ambulance.

I disagree - am a gp. Give him 5 puffs of salbutamol via the spacer - 10 breaths pee puff. If that doesn't settle him just drive. Ambulance waits are huge then you wait when you get there. I would advise any who needs a and e and Has the means to get there under their own steam to do do. Make sure you cancel the ambulance and just go. He will be triage when you get there and if really unwell will be seen asap. Ambulance will undoubtedly be hours.
Hopefully he will settle with the salbutamol (ble inhaler)

Are you there by yourself? Can someone go with you so they can keep an eye on DC whilst you are driving? Have you used their inhaler? If DC needs to be seen I would go.

Thanks all, I've used the inhaler but it hasn't improved things. I think the problem is that the breathing difficulties are coming from his chest infection rather than his asthma.

Not here on my own, but Dh wouldn't be able to come with us in the car as he would need to stay and looking after my DD who is currently asleep.

Will give it another half an hour to see if the inhaler kicks in by then and if not I'll just drive him there myself

If the inhaler doesn't give immediate relief, it's not going to in an hour. I use them when I need it and the relief is instant. If nothing has improved after the inhaler I would drive to A&E as the GP above suggested

Ambulance has just arrived

I was go to say drive but then you have the worry if he deteriorates on the journey and you are on your own.
I see the ambulance has arrived which is great.
Hope he feels better soon

Just take him a and e.

If he is poorly they will admit him asap.

Drive up yourself. I had crackling when I had pneumonia and a pleural effusion (fluid on the lungs) and needed a lot more than antibiotics. Request a chest xray.

Hope you get seen soon. Dd gets viral induced wheeze and its horrible watching them struggle to breathe.

I'm glad the ambulance came so quickly! (Though it feels like forever at the time!!). How is DS this morning?

hope he's better now. I would have said take him yourself, btw

Ambulances don't automatically get to the front of the queue, the sickest people do.
They will triage him and see him in order of priority.
I'd take him your self. Ambulances routinely taking 6-8 where I am.

Sorry - just seen ambulance has arrived.

Hope your son is feeling better now. I've been there with the mad dashes to hospital for an asthmatic child who is having breathing problems. Very frightening

I also would have said to take him yourself, but glad the ambulance arrived in a reasonable time.