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.

Oh boo hoo. When you’ve been a primary teacher for a few years come back to me and we will chat.

YANBU OP, that's a ridiculous series of events!The system at the moment is bonkers and causes people to use more resources than necessary because nothing works properly.

DS (who is 3) was really poorly on Saturday. Called 111 at 3pm, got through just after 4pm. Call back in 1 hour. They eventually called after 2.5 hours.

They sent an ambulance which arrived about 9pm. Advised that we take DS to a&e. Arrived at a&e at 10pm, waited 6 hours to see a dr (so by this point is 4am and poor DS has been trying to sleep in my lap in between episodes of vomiting). Antibiotics prescribed then sent to assessment unit for observation. Finally got home about 8am. Based on my experience I'll be tempted to go straight to a&e next time which is absolutely ridiculous as clearly not a good use of resources.

Most people are trying to use the system properly but it's just not working.

I really hope your DD is ok OP, I'd defo call 111 again and see if you can get antibiotics that way. Or, if you can afford it, Push Dr - she needs the antibiotics not least as will remain infectious until she has them.

I've worked in an outpatients dept for 25yrs, and I've never known a Dr refuse to see a sick child. The first thing we do is secure a consultation wherever we can. A sick child can become very unwell very quickly, it's never worth the risk. That practitioner took a serious risk with your child. I've never been refused at my gp surgery when my kids were sick. They knew you could be late, you warned them in advanced. It's unprofessional, it's unsafe practice.

As a GP I am shocked that they would refuse to see an unwell child, particularly one who has been triaged as suspected scarlet fever. As well as infection control issues!

I’m a parent and a human and understand people are only human and sometimes late. Your child needs antibiotics and I would be putting in a complaint to the surgery.

So is scarlet fever this strep a that I have been reading about causing fatalities in kids?

If so I don't understand why your daughter wasn't seen yesterday, Op.

www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/complaining-to-nhse/

I'm sorry that happened. I would've been irate, hysterical, crying. I would've had a total meltdown. I applaud your composure.

I have very good friends who are primary teachers.

The hours are 9 to 3.30pm with your additional duties outside. Doesn't compare to 8.30am to 6pm plus additional work. GPs also don't get school holidays off.

Also, none of your over tired decisions are life or death.

Fuck off and get some perspective.

Exactly, DC’s symptoms are fairly mild and manageable with calpol/nurofen at the moment but highly contagious. Worried about younger sibling catching it etc

YANBU

this is what the NHS is now and we are expected to be grateful

its absolutely appalling and shoddy we have all watched the news

i would be making a complaint to the surgery abs writing to your MP

I had a cry in the car

I'm really surprised they didn't see you...no where usually runs to time because ten minute appointments are ridiculously short anyway. I would complain to the practice manager. Especially in the current context with scarlet fever this is appalling care.

Having said that you did also know you were waiting in for an appointment so I don't know why you hadn't put a bag of what they would need in the car including snacks etc as these things can take time.

My daughter had scarlet fever when she was 3 and her airway started to close, it was terrifying yet an hr earlier she'd been running round after having calpol and brufen. It's that exact type of scenario that guides protocols for urgent care of sick children.

Why did they even need to see her?

I spoke to my GP on the phone, described the symptoms and she prescribed antibiotics.

This is the, it's shit for me for it should be shit for you too argument. But perhaps, just perhaps, both primary school teachers AND GPs are having a crap time. My boss earn £80k a year and seems to spend half his working time in the gym. Other people earn £250k a year and haven't gone to medical school and give very little value back to society. Maybe you're getting angry with the wrong people?

Precisely. I used Push Dr recently as couldn't get a GP appointment and knew DS1 has an ear infection. Cost £55 including the antibiotics.

Got an appointment 2.5 hours after looking, had video consult with GP, prescription arrived by email 15 mins later. Had them in time for bedtime that night.

*so not for

This is shocking. I would go as far as saying it's a GMC matter. It should be reported that they refused to see an ill child with potentially a notifiable disease.

SF doesn’t kill more people than covid, there have been around 11 deaths, all tragic, not all SF but group A strep. This illness comes every year, it’s the timing in conjunction with winter pressures that is an issue.

OP it sounds like you have a relatively well child, she was able to talk about her bad rash, keep an eye on her overnight, complain about the GP when she is recovered.

Lmao behave

But no of course YANBU OP. You've done everything you can. But people who work under impossible pressure break eventually, and that's what's happening in the NHS after years of underfunding. It terrifies me. I have quite a lot of experience of craziness in the NHS. I emphatically do not blame the people who work in the NHS.

Yeah ok. Pull the other one. 9-3:30. Riiiiiight. Know primary teachers do you. Whatever you think a primary teacher works, triple it at least. 70-80+ hours when I last worked it. Minimum for first couple of years. Not life or death but still very responsible and extremely exhausting.
The pay is 1/4 of what a GP earns btw so yeah. There’s that.

Was expecting to be sent to one of 2 within 5/10 minutes. I hadn’t planned for an hour30 wait. Yes should have been more organised. Sick child, sleep deprived, stressed.

Absolutely not.

Scarlet fever is caused by the bacteria Strep A, and in the vast majority of cases is treated quickly and easily with antibiotics.

In a very, very tiny number of cases it can turn into invasive Strep A, which is very serious.

I think that is utterly shocking tbh.

I am an ANP and was working on Saturday morning doing a specific clinic and we had bevy doors pharmacist come in to see if we were open as she had a child next door with suspected SF. It’s only pre booked appointments and I was only in reception writing up notes between home visits.
I don’t usually see children under 5, I extended my clinic and saw them. Who turns a child away?!? Disgusting behaviour and I hope you complain.