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.

You shoudlnt' feel guilty, it's not your fault, you did your best. I said I understood your frustration.

My point was just that, objectively, that despite your worry and frustration they can't magic up additional appointments when you are unable (through no fault of your own) to make what they had.

@Phyllisdoriss if you’re anywhere near north Tyneside, i have a swab kit you can have, to test your LO so you know if you’re definitely dealing with strep A and then can maybe leverage result to get antibiotics quicker?

I bought them online a couple of weeks ago and have used them on my youngest to prove he has strep A and get antibiotic prescription off doctor (he also passed the threshold on clinician’s test but the test removed any doubt that it wasn’t a viral throat thing instead and doctor said it sounded like the ones they use anyway).

That’s very kind. Thank you. We’re opposite ends of the country unfortunately. I haven’t heard anything all day since I phoned first thing so I’m going to phone and see what the situation is and maybe I’ll get a little bit more notice of having to be somewhere than I did yesterday

God OP you've had to repeat yourself on this thread a million times!!

I think they have failed in their duty, even if you were a total space cadet and waltzed in when it suited you...why should the child be denied medical care.

I would have honestly acted way worse and good on you for remaining semi composed.

I hope your child/children get the medicine they need.

I truly despair.

Can’t believe your poorly 3 yr old still hasn’t got antibiotics. Hope they are ok and you get sorted soon.

Why haven’t the gp surgery given you an apt today? They knew yesterday first thing the child had been referred by 111 to be seen and given antibiotics. Ignoring the ins and outs of yesterday they can’t just say well her mother didn’t bring her on time so tough luck and mark the referral as complete. There’s an infectious 3 yr old who still hasn’t been seen. If they really couldn’t see you despite waiting until 6pm yesterday then surely child is first on list today.
I know thankfully your child sounds ok but what if not and everything was looked at.
Answer from surgery can’t be mum was 6 mins late so we didn’t do anything else! Did you offer them another appointment? Refer elsewhere? No I filed the referral from 111 it’s child’s bad luck she’s got a mum who can’t drive faster in ice/snow/traffic.

hope you got somwhere op-i would have told the whole waiting room that they were refusing to see a sick child with possible strep a

Yanbu 💐
Six minutes,they could have seen someone who was after you then you take their place.how anyone could turn away an ill child in tears I just don't understand.
I hope your dc is soon better.

Not sure why some posters are giving you a hard time for not getting there on time, it's hard enough getting everyone ready let alone leaving quickly and driving somewhere new! Sounds like you did everything you could to try and get there on time, its just unfortunate its the only appointment they had and your usual surgery couldn't see him.

It is crap and I would also be very frustrated, unfortunately everything is crumbling and its sad to see. I work in A&E and we are overrun with children, never seen anything like it and a big part is people can't be seen in the community (not blaming parents, better to be safe than sorry).

Had a phone call at 3.30 to offer an appointment at 5.15 at a surgery 25 minutes away. Perfectly achievable and we were sat down in waiting room 10mins early. We have been seen, agreed most likely scarlet fever although (thankfully) the symptoms have significantly begun to improve.

Thank you to all who have supported and shown concern. Your kindness means so much.

Brilliant news, so glad you've been seen at last.

@Phyllisdoriss glad your little one is feeling a bit better

@Phyllisdoriss pleased you have been seen 😃 hope upwards trajectory continues.

I’m a GP- just home from 12 hours miserable duty.

I work for a small GP surgery (having worked for a larger group and left because of shit like this).

As both mother and doctor I’m fucking fizzing on your behalf OP. There is no way we would ever treat a child or family like this- few surgeries in my area would.

I’m normally on here defending general practice against people’s absolutely unreasonable Amazon Prime expectations wrt medical care… but in this instance you were not unreasonable and this was shitty shitty treatment and once little one is better I’d be writing a pretty harsh complaint letter to the practice manager.

It’s crap like this gives us all a bad name. Most of us do genuinely care and would always find a gap to look after a sick child, irrespective of how irked we felt about timekeeping etc.

I’m sorry you had this experience.

Good news your dc has been seen and is on the mend.

Hugs to @BeGentlePeeps . Hang in there.

Haven’t read the full thread but my 2 cents anyway…

I had to phone 999 yesterday for my 3yo (at the advice of 111). He had 39.4 temp and couldn’t have any lights on as they hurt his eyes. Had to sit in the dark with him burning up and shaking. He also has a nasty cough and cold etc.

999 said someone would call me back. It took 6 hours. That in itself based on his symptoms is terrifying.

when I did finally talk to them he had perked up (luckily!). I had meningitis as a child and know it’s no joke. To be fair to them, as he had perked up and was then eating/drinking/able to have light (though 6hrs later!) they contacted my Gp and said he had to be seen within 24hrs.

The Gp called me at 8am to say bring him in at 9:20. I was approx 8 mins late as car park was full, got stuck, had to turn round go out, find parking and walk over. Gp was fab and said no need to apologise life happens and saw him shortly after our appt time.

Being Kate is never ideal but does happen in rwal life. I’d the 111/999 advice is to be seen I’d think one of the doctors could seen you for 5 mins to check vitals and prescribe antibiotics at least. Especially with the current situation with Strep etc.

I hope your little one is feeling better.

Thank you 🙈 my swearyness has been addressed by a Ryan Reynolds Romcom and a roast beef sandwich. Ready for another day. X