Doctor refused to see 3yo with suspected scarlet fever

[Phyllisdoriss]

My 3yo presented scarlet fever symptoms Sunday morning. Classic temperature, sandpaper rash, strawberry tongue so almost certain scarlet fever.
Phoned 111 at 10.30, get through around 12. Was told a clinician would call back within 2 hrs but very busy so could be longer.
Get a call around 3.45. Not the clinician but someone checking in. Clinician phoned around 7pm, really lovely lady who said she would make a referral to GP and that they will be ‘duty bound’ to see DC next day (today). DC was comfortable and settled down to sleep so she didn’t want to send us anywhere through the night, could end up being really late. We have a baby too.
This morning I phone GP first thing to book appointment. They acknowledged the referral from 111 and tell me a doctor will be in touch.

3.35pm my GP surgery phone to offer an appointment at a surgery 30mins (on a good day) away for 4pm. I said that would be impossible, so they offered 4.30 and that is the latest they can do. I accept the appointment but think it’ll be a tall order to get 2 toddlers, one quite unwell, in the car and there for 4.30 through two busy towns at rush hour but I was going to try my hardest. We got to the desk at 4.36 a flustered mess (I’m never late and hate being late)

They refused to see DC as we had ‘missed’ the appointment. I said they were duty bound to see her which they said they would but we could be waiting a while. As I’d had to rush everyone out of the door I’d not packed and snacks/toys so the thought of a long wait was not ideal but no choice.

At around 6pm a lady comes to tell us that they would not see her today. I said you’re duty bound to see DC today and she rudely responded with “you missed your appointment” and other remarks like “other patents managed to get here on time”. Yes but have other patients traveled as far, with such short notice, alone with two very young children?
Poor DC was even trying to show them crying saying “but look, I’ve got a nasty rash”.
AIBU to think this is truly appalling.

YABU.

So they kept you waiting deliberately for all that time just to chase you? It's just antibiotics for SF anyway isn't it? I don't know much about it.

Why?

What a pointless post. Of course YANBU OP. There was literally nothing else you could have done and your child needs to be seen so she can be prescribed antiobotics of necessary.

I don't think they left you sitting there in the waiting room to make you feel bad. You were late for the appointment though.

Yes all we need is the antibiotics, asap really!

Really disgraceful....yanbu

I would complain. To Mp and practise manager. That’s awful.
it’s a simple throat swap for strep.
How is your DC now op and what’s your plan.

That's shocking. Did they consult a GP before they sent you away or was that the receptionist making the decision? I work in a GP surgery and our GPs will always squeeze in a poorly child, and while they do get annoyed with people being late, it's rare that they aren't running at least 15 minutes behind so no one would mind. Also less than 10 minutes late is generally forgivable, you clearly tried.

There's no way our GPs would go home knowing there was a sick child waiting, especially not one with suspected scarlet fever.

I was given about 45mins notice for an appointment out of town. I did my best!

It probably didn't help that you kept arguing what they were 'duty bound' to do for you after hearing it said by one person over the phone.

You were offered two appointments and declined one.

I do understand your predicament and you have my sympathies.

That sounds so stressful. Awful of them not to see you. I've never had a single bloody doctors appointment that wasn't running 20 mins late... You were only slightly late!

YANBU, that is terrible.

I’m in two minds about this tbh. The services are absolute rushed off their feet, it’s not their fault that you were late and all the stuff about being on your own with two toddlers, no snacks etc etc is somewhat irrelevant when everyone has their own challenges to get to the dr

But the woman sounded rude and I get it was frustrating to be kept waiting that long

Who was “the lady”, could you speak to the practice manager?

Do you have a gp closer? That sounds very far away

Absolutely shocking. I hope you manage to see a Dr very soon and your DC is OK.

Receptionist was really helpful and make several phone calls for us. It was a advanced practitioner (whose name I took) who refused.
i am shocked tbh I didn’t think they would refused a sick child

Why bother posting without reading the OP? She didn't decline one. She made a factual statement that it would be impossible to attend. A GP absolutely does need to see a sick child with suspected scarlet fever on the day. Sounds like you're having a go at the OP for absolutely no reason.

Offered 2 appointments and declined one? If someone offered me an appointment at the emergency clinic 15 miles away, up near the M4, at 30 to 60 minutes notice especially between 3 and 6pm, they may as well offer me one on the moon.

YANBU. My Dr would have organised a sit-and-wait appointment with one of the Virgin practitioners at the very least.

She didn't decline an appointment. She just can't time travel 🙄

I don’t know what you expected them to do when you missed your appointment. Did you expect someone else to miss their appointment for you?

Totally missing the point, but aren’t there any GP surgeries closer to you? Half an hour across town sounds like a lot of work for you.

otherwise, yes I think you were only 6 mins late they should have squeezed you in. So often you’ll arrive and have to wait two hours.

Are people missing that the OP's GP didn't have any appointments so offered her one via referral elsewhere?

You’re not being unreasonable. So no GP would hang on another 5 mins to see a suspected SV case? Awful

I’m slightly terrified of @DashboardConfessional ’s “virgin practitioner”, 😂. But OP of course YANBU. You tried to do the right thing, you tried to get there on time, you waited until 6pm. I can see the person you spoke to might’ve taken the “duty bound” comments amiss, but that doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t have been seen!