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.

It's disgraceful OP. Definitely complain. 6mins late? Most of the time you have a GP appt and they see you 30+ mins later in my experience..and this isn't the right way to treat a poorly child. 5-10mins for a quick once over they could and should have given you the antibiotics prescription.

Didn’t technically miss it at 6 mins late if it was a 10 min appointment. They could have seen us for 5 mins to test and prescribe the necessary treatment

If you miss an appointment for being 6 minues late I'd be amazed, even in normal times I've never had an appointment start less than 15 after the so called time even early in the morning and in the current climate are there actually GPs running to time?

Is your nearest GP surgery really half an hour away, or are you registered at a practice out of your area?
Just wondering if they’re trying to encourage out of area patients to register elsewhere!
But yes, I don’t think YWBU. A decent receptionist should be keeping an eye on how the surgery is running, who is waiting for an appointment and who is waiting for medication etc. I would imagine there was a fair bit of eye rolling over the amount of time it took to gather yourself and your kids to attend the appointment though.
Mind you, I’ve dealt with some GPS who would make latecomers wait for hours, even though they themselves would always run late for their clinics.

I had 45 mins notice for the appointment, I’m normally organised but tried my best

My local GP would always squeeze in a sick child. Often you call up in the morning and they will find a spot for a little one. Dick move to pop you in the waiting room for an hour and a half. I'd call back 111 asap and see if there is an evening out of hours you can be seen at.

It’s a largeish medical group. There are 2/3 surgeries within 10mins. No appointments available today

What does 'duty bound' in this context actually mean? Is it a law or statutory duty that they have failed in?

45mins notice for a GP appointmebnt is plenty, why do you live so far from your doctors?

It’s a fairly large medical group. There are 2 surgeries with 5/10mins. No appointments today though

YANBU. I am really shocked they did this, given it was a young child and you were trying to get treatment for a notifiable disease, it is incredibly irresponsible. All you can do is return to 111 and seek and alternative route to access treatment (more wasted money and time for NHS, but necessary) and make a formal complaint.

The system is completely broken and some staff are behaving irrationally as a result.

It's been explained already this was not her normal doctors

Why do you live so far from your GP cancel the cheque
FFS people, read the OPs posts at least!

Haha, yeah we have these randoms in lanyards who do GP-esque and nurse-esque things, via Virgin. They're very useful for things like checking kids for ear infections.

It was the term used by 111 to guarantee me an appointment.

FFS, do you live in toy town?

At 3:30pm, with school run traffic, I live 45 min drive from two of the surgeries in my three-surgery GP practice. I don't get a choice of practice if same day, and I sure as hell don't get a choice over the school run traffic.

YANBU, they should have seen you or called the A&E at your local hospital and sent you on there with an out of hours GP appointment already booked. It’s awful they made you wait so long and did nothing in the interim.

How is your DC? If you haven’t been seen, I’d just head into A&E.

I think it is because it is scarlet fever, because it is notifiable and serious.

It is not just a 'cough' or 'sore leg' or something vague - 111 identified it as potential SF.

Yes!

Did they make you another appointment?

I live at least 45 minutes from my nearest town, if I was the OP what would I be supposed to do, stamp my feet and demand the GPs move their surgery closer? 🙄

Yanbu

I'm sorry about these replies which serve only to make you feel shit about yourself eg @Nw22 . This OP has a sick child and has been treated terribly. She is letting off steam after a horrid experience. Yes not ideal to be late but who can sit here and say they've never been late? Shame on you for trying to shame someone with the worries of Scarlett fever on her mind.

I hope your day improves and you don't feel the need to be so unkind.

OP please let us know how your little one is.

Op has your.dd be seen
Have you got antibiotics now.

The place you were at has totally failed in its basic duty of care and I would get going immediately with a complaint there.
But has your dd be seen?

Thank you

No they said I’d get a phone call. Nothing yet though