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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctor refused to see 3yo with suspected scarlet fever

343 replies

Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:04

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.

OP posts:
Goldenbear · 12/12/2022 21:36

Absolutely disgusting, why are we putting up with this crap. We need an election. I said this on a different thread but I was discussing all these issues with my parents, my relative who is 70 became very sick indeed last Monday, he was having a heart attack, no ambulance so take yourself in a cab. It was an 11 hour wait and it was so busy he couldn't move from his seat so didn't drink much or eat for that long, then was put on a trolley bed - 2hrs in the corridor, then they found him a bed and he was in hospital for 3 days for treatment. Why are we putting up with these shoddy, second rate services. Equally, other shit shows are transport, housing, the environment, what 'is' this government good at. My parents' can't visit at Christmas now due to train issues. My Dad used to commute from Warwick to London in the 1970s and it was easy! He said people say how bad the 70's were but they are not as bad as these times! He was a Liberal at the time so wasn't coming from the position of being particularly left wing and looking back with Rose tinted glasses! What is startling is how we have sleepwalked in to these 'new' norms and have zero expectations of a government that should be leading the country! People have started to believe what the OP has experienced maybe partly their fault but if the system worked there would be no need for this chaotic chain of events!

Pastash · 12/12/2022 21:37

YANBU - if they’d offered you the appointment time sooner then you could have made it

They are absolutely not ‘duty bound’ and can tell you there is no capacity- but if they had told you that first thing then you could have gone elsewhere for care instead of keeping you waiting making you rush and then then keeping you waiting again for nothing

DashboardConfessional · 12/12/2022 21:38

It's because they want to run it into the ground so we're all pathetically grateful when they launch a shiny new privatised health service. The Tories don't want to fund an NHS.

Original poster
Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:38

Thank you for the kind comments and those asking after DC. Temperature under control with calpol and is comfortable and settled at the moment.

OP posts:
Tallulasdancingshoes · 12/12/2022 21:40

That’s terrible. They really shouldn’t have left you waiting so long only to send you home. They should have squeezed you in. Given the age of your dc I think you probably should complain, I hope your dc is feeling a little better. Maybe you should look to move doctors to a closer surgery? A 30 minute plus drive through busy towns doesn’t sound ideal when you/the kids are poorly, and they don’t sound very good anyway.

picklemewalnuts · 12/12/2022 21:42

Can't you get her swabbed at the pharmacy? Is that only in my area?

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 12/12/2022 21:42

I wouldn't have moved op.

Once I took DD to walk in center that was just closing and was made to feel grateful that they saw her and told me to drive to hospital.
So many further medic's we saw were furious that this had happened and said they would raise an alarm because they had a duty of care.

Original poster
Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:43

Tallulasdancingshoes · 12/12/2022 21:40

That’s terrible. They really shouldn’t have left you waiting so long only to send you home. They should have squeezed you in. Given the age of your dc I think you probably should complain, I hope your dc is feeling a little better. Maybe you should look to move doctors to a closer surgery? A 30 minute plus drive through busy towns doesn’t sound ideal when you/the kids are poorly, and they don’t sound very good anyway.

Not my usual doctors but yes certainly going to look at other options

OP posts:
Goldenbear · 12/12/2022 21:43

The OP explained there were no local appointments, the nearest one was the one she was given.

YoBeaches · 12/12/2022 21:43

You could call 111 again and explain what happened, see if there is an on call GP who would prescribe over the phone. Not much help now as you can't get them till tomorrow but just a thought.

I contacted my GP last week with similar. They rang within an hour, asked if I could get there 'now' I said no sorry, I can be 20 mins or so, she said ok so long as your here in the next hour as we're prioritising the children.

It's totally unreasonable that they sent you home and it contributes to the issues the NHS has. You risk ending up at A&E or being admitted which is exactly what GPs are supposed to prevent.

Deff complain.

And if you're worried about dd at any point, go to A&E. she needs antibiotics.

Original poster
Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:44

picklemewalnuts · 12/12/2022 21:42

Can't you get her swabbed at the pharmacy? Is that only in my area?

111 never mentioned that as an option. Will look in to it as would be easier

OP posts:
Newuser82 · 12/12/2022 21:45

This is dreadful! Where is the doctors sense of care and compassion? Obviously doctors work hard and I understand they are under a considerable amount of stress but she tries her best to get there, was a few minutes late then sat for an hour and half with two young kids (one ill) then sent away. Could someone not have seen her? It would have taken 5 minutes. Do gps not stay late ever?

Untitledsquatboulder · 12/12/2022 21:46

YANBU. I wouldn't say our gp offers a stellar service but the more I hear about other's experiences, the more I appreciate them.

MassiveSalad22 · 12/12/2022 21:46

Hmm. He didnt need to be seen really, you just needed to get your hands on the meds. DS age 5 came down with scarlet fever on weds morning, sent photo to the doc and they prescribed antibiotics without seeing him. Doc said they had a surgery full of sick kids so no need to come down and be exposed/infect anyone. Was glad not to have to go!

Catdaft · 12/12/2022 21:47

That is an absolute disgrace! You have every right to be fuming! The snide comments are uncalled for tbh especially when you'll be worried! I hope you get antibiotics soon!

redbigbananafeet · 12/12/2022 21:47

Stop saying 45 minutes notice. It was 55 minutes. Are you in their catchment area? Your nearest GP is nearly an hour away?

HomemadePickle · 12/12/2022 21:47

Apologies if this has already been asked but can you speak to a clinician over 111 since the GP Practice now closed? Our 111 service (it is managed locally) can switch to one way video call to assess the patient and then can prescribe to the duty late night pharmacy,

My DC both had scarlet fever in the 2017 outbreak (where over 300 children died - wasn't in the news!!) and were prescribed anti-b's over the phone.

Yummymummy2020 · 12/12/2022 21:47

I would also agree with the poster that said complain. You were not very late and they knew it was hard for you to get there. Sounds to me it was just them being arsey not seeing your child. I have friends who work in medicine and I’m certain they couldn’t do that to a child in good conscience. What a stressful experience.

Original poster
Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:48

MassiveSalad22 · 12/12/2022 21:46

Hmm. He didnt need to be seen really, you just needed to get your hands on the meds. DS age 5 came down with scarlet fever on weds morning, sent photo to the doc and they prescribed antibiotics without seeing him. Doc said they had a surgery full of sick kids so no need to come down and be exposed/infect anyone. Was glad not to have to go!

I would have loved to not have to go! I can only do as I’m told a follow the advice given to me. Would be more than happy to send photos and collect the necessary meds

OP posts:
Odile13 · 12/12/2022 21:48

I’m so sorry, that sounds awful. YANBU.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 12/12/2022 21:48

You could call 111 and tell them because they will have guidelines as well and it will be then on the system you took her and were not seen

MardyHa · 12/12/2022 21:48

I would write all the details down and email to the Practice Manager and ask them to confirm that they’re comfortable to send away your child without being seen who has very likely got Strep A.

Also, I’d bet quite a bit that if you’d been on time you still wouldn’t have been seen by 4.36pm. And if you would have been and they’re not running late at all, then they’d surely have time fit in one small child with Strep A.

WinterLobelia · 12/12/2022 21:49

Oh ffs. My child;s school is usually a 40 minute drive away. In school hour peak traffic. Today it took me 3 hours there and back due to the vagaries of road closures and temp traffic lights and ... just because.

6 minutes late to an appointment you have been given less than an hour's notice of is nothing. Nothing.

The child should have been seen. The OP should not have been treated with such disrespect.

Original poster
Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:49

redbigbananafeet · 12/12/2022 21:47

Stop saying 45 minutes notice. It was 55 minutes. Are you in their catchment area? Your nearest GP is nearly an hour away?

So sorry

OP posts:
MushMonster · 12/12/2022 21:50

You were 6 minutes late..... they were hours and hours late! I cannot believe they took so long to come back to you with such clear symptoms. They should have sent you straight to the out of hours GP on Sunday! For a 3 year old!
I would file a complaint.
And take my child to the out of hours GP, here is just by A& E.