Page 8 | Doctor refused to see 3yo with suspected scarlet fever

Phyllisdoriss · 2022-12-12T21:04:56+00:00

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.

Peashoots · 12/12/2022 22:52

PurpleWisteria1 · 12/12/2022 22:49

Wow if you are genuinely a GP then that’s a bit of an eye opener.
So the blame is on us mums because we are not ‘doing everything in our power’ to get our child seen?
wow just wow.
We are doing everything in our power and more. We move hell and high water to get the best for our kids and when they are ill we would walk over hot coals and not sleep a wink for days if it helped them recover.
The trouble is, we can’t get them antibiotics by ourselves. We are not given that power in the Uk.
Getting to see someone who can give us those is like getting blood out of a stone and incredibly infuryingly frustrating. I’ve been there myself this week for my child. I queued up in -3 for 35 minutes with two younger siblings in tow at 7:45am outside the GP surgery as instructed just to try to get an appointment. Child had rash, high temp, raging sore throat and muscle aches. And I still couldn’t get one.
Its broken.
This 3 year old was asked to wait 90 mins with suspected Scarlett fever and then told go home.
Someone actually locked up and turned off the lights merrily knowing that they turned that 3 year old away when they were only 5 mins late for their much needed appointment.
It goes way beyond ‘a point to be raised’
shame on them.

Show quote history

Try re reading her post 🙄 she’s not shifting the blame onto OP AT ALL, she’s saying that 111 have inappropriately advised her.

Sherrystrull · 12/12/2022 22:52

@OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty

Your low jibes at teachers are unnecessary. GPs I'm sure are trying their best and working hard, teachers are too. There's no need to bring anyone down. We've all been shafted by the government.

suzyscat · 12/12/2022 22:53

6 minutes late? My GP surgery is amazing but you'd still be queuing at reception to check in by then and probably wouldn't be seen for the best part of an hour. They would see you though.

YANBU and should complain to pals or similar.

user1471447863 · 12/12/2022 22:53

StPaulandTheBrokenBones · 12/12/2022 22:36

Why has PP brought the subject of teachers into this thread? It is absolutely irrelevant to what the OP is asking. News flash, not everything is about how many hours and how hard teachers work. In particular this thread is not about teachers and their hours of work.

OP. This is not ok and what happened to you and your child is appalling. Is this what this country has come to? Having to feel grateful that you’re offered a doctor’s appointment miles away, that you have a low chance of being on time for? And then not to have your ill child seen when you arrive a few minutes late?

It’s not good enough.

The subject of teachers is actually quite relevant as it appears the previous generation of teachers failed to teach a large proportion of the population basic reading comprehension going by the number that still don't seem to have understood that it was not the OP's local surgery and was in fact in a far far away unfamiliar location at a busy time of day. Thus the timescale offered was tight with little margin.
But yes this is about Dr's not teachers.

I'd have been inclined to just head to A&E as obviously trying to go about it the correct way just isn't working.

I get the impression this is a modern practice (multi site group etc), so likely has electronic scheduling & check in etc (even if done by reception on arrival) , i doubt the Dr was bang on schedule and had prepped for you specifically and when you weren't there when they called out in the waiting room they then had to go back and read up for the next patient then call them in just as you arrived - more like you hadn't checked in yet and the next timetabled person who was there would have shown as next to be seen. All provided they were running bang on time which would be a miracle in itself.

OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty · 12/12/2022 22:53

PurpleWisteria1 · 12/12/2022 22:49

Wow if you are genuinely a GP then that’s a bit of an eye opener.
So the blame is on us mums because we are not ‘doing everything in our power’ to get our child seen?
wow just wow.
We are doing everything in our power and more. We move hell and high water to get the best for our kids and when they are ill we would walk over hot coals and not sleep a wink for days if it helped them recover.
The trouble is, we can’t get them antibiotics by ourselves. We are not given that power in the Uk.
Getting to see someone who can give us those is like getting blood out of a stone and incredibly infuryingly frustrating. I’ve been there myself this week for my child. I queued up in -3 for 35 minutes with two younger siblings in tow at 7:45am outside the GP surgery as instructed just to try to get an appointment. Child had rash, high temp, raging sore throat and muscle aches. And I still couldn’t get one.
Its broken.
This 3 year old was asked to wait 90 mins with suspected Scarlett fever and then told go home.
Someone actually locked up and turned off the lights merrily knowing that they turned that 3 year old away when they were only 5 mins late for their much needed appointment.
It goes way beyond ‘a point to be raised’
shame on them.

Show quote history

A surgery requiring you to physically queue for an appointment is a disgrace. I agree.

BabyOnBoard90 · 12/12/2022 22:53

I think, especially given the current climate, YABU.

Hope the child makes a smooth recovery.

Original poster

Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 22:54

Moon22 · 12/12/2022 22:47

Very frustrating for you. However your repeatedly telling them they are 'duty bound,' to see your child probably didn't help.
Doctors are people too and can't be expected to stay late in their work (although people seem to expect this!).- as it goes, you were unfortunately a bit late, so that will be their get out clause if it comes to it.
Pity they made you wait all that time.
I think I would have asked to speak to a doctor or nurse, if it wasn't an actual healthcare professional who came out to speak to you.
I hope your child got sorted in the end and starting to feel better.

I only said it when they started trying to wriggle out of seeing DC, at which point I wasn’t very happy but never impolite. Did they not have a duty to see DC? I and others feel they did

OP posts:

solomam · 12/12/2022 22:54

SIX minutes late and they wouldn't see you?? Ridiculous. I'd make a complaint.

Axahooxa · 12/12/2022 22:55

YANBU!!

It’s mind-achingly painful to read people responding to OP as if she were late got a hair appointment.

Her child should have been seen.
she should have left with antibiotics.

This is HORRIFIC.

PurpleWisteria1 · 12/12/2022 22:57

Peashoots · 12/12/2022 22:52

Try re reading her post 🙄 she’s not shifting the blame onto OP AT ALL, she’s saying that 111 have inappropriately advised her.

Show quote history

No, that’s only part of what she’s saying.
She says twice that parents need to take responsibility for their children which in the case of this OP (and many other mums / dads in similar positions recently) I find an outrageous comment.
We are taking responsibility. Many of us (including this OP by the sounds of it) are doing everything we possibly can and still getting doors slammed in our face at the time we need someone to help.

solomam · 12/12/2022 22:57

RosesAndHellebores · 12/12/2022 22:47

@Hangingoninthere88 what an absolutely horrible post. Perhaps 111 shoukd have advised the op to go to A&E? The op did what she was told to do as many people do.

Personally I stopped having truck with 111 about 23 years ago because they were hopeless. Always better to pitch up at A&E, preferably at sparrow fart when the drunks have been cleared.

I feel very sorry for the overworked GPs at my practice. Especially the couple who are so ground down they do two/three sessions a week at the local private hospital at £95 a pop. 8 patients in two hours. In addition to their part-time partner salary. Average for the practice £79k. All GPs part-time; all the partners have private interests be it GP to the local boarding school, or a directorship at a local "skincare/beauty" clinic.

And what do we get on this thread. GP and primary teacher bingo.

There are three problems with the NHS: attitude, arrogance and gross Inefficiency. It isn't the problem if the patients it doesn't work or join up.

👏🏻👏🏻

ancientgran · 12/12/2022 22:58

ShirleyPhallus · 12/12/2022 21:13

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?

The thing is the child was ill and it wasn't the child's fault they were late so punishing the child seems pretty vile to me.

solomam · 12/12/2022 22:59

No, that’s only part of what she’s saying.
She says twice that parents need to take responsibility for their children which in the case of this OP (and many other mums / dads in similar positions recently) I find an outrageous comment.
We are taking responsibility. Many of us (including this OP by the sounds of it) are doing everything we possibly can and still getting doors slammed in our face at the time we need someone to help.

Completely agree

OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty · 12/12/2022 22:59

Sherrystrull · 12/12/2022 22:52

@OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty

Your low jibes at teachers are unnecessary. GPs I'm sure are trying their best and working hard, teachers are too. There's no need to bring anyone down. We've all been shafted by the government.

I am responding directly to a poster who clearly feels teachers are akin to God.

This is consistent with complaints I receive as a Practice Manager.

I speak as I find. We do our very best for all patients. Occupation is utterly irrelevant.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 12/12/2022 22:59

That was really tight of them. They could’ve slip you in somewhere, it’s not like you’d get seen in time anyway. Well, never get seen on time at my gp surgery.

Original poster

Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 23:00

Peashoots · 12/12/2022 22:51

Why haven’t you responded to a single other thing in @Hangingoninthere88 post, OP? You keep harping on about this 40 minutes. She is right, 111 could have signposted you to a walk in centre for treatment. Did it not occur to you to try this yourself, or childrens a&e? I know it’s inconvenient to wait but if I was that worried about my child I’d sit there all night.
GPs are not robots, they don’t run a 24 hour service. It’s a shame you wasted a journey but honestly if you knew you’d be cutting it fine, why waste the appointment? I hope your daughter is ok.

I have responded

OP posts:

Goldenbear · 12/12/2022 23:00

Hangingoninthere88, you quite clearly stated the OP should take some responsibility, how exactly? They drove 13 miles for an appointment with said sick child and then was under 10 minutes late - which you have pointed out would be your personal threshold to see a late patient so 'how' is she not demonstrating personal responsibility. There is 'no' battle in this scenario as a GP holds all the cards as this is the normalised system now there is simply nothing the patient can do except be ever so grateful for scraps of medical attention. It is simply not good enough.

Soontobe60 · 12/12/2022 23:00

Phyllisdoriss · 12/12/2022 21:12

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

Show quote history

You knew yesterday that you’d need to see the GP. You got an appointment - most parents would have moved heaven and earth to make that appointment. You’re being belligerent and entitled.

nocoolnamesleft · 12/12/2022 23:00

Surely it was the out of hours doctor service that was duty bound to see the child, not dump the work onto the GP the next day? Why are they not getting criticised?

Sunshinegirl82 · 12/12/2022 23:00

Peashoots · 12/12/2022 22:51

Why haven’t you responded to a single other thing in @Hangingoninthere88 post, OP? You keep harping on about this 40 minutes. She is right, 111 could have signposted you to a walk in centre for treatment. Did it not occur to you to try this yourself, or childrens a&e? I know it’s inconvenient to wait but if I was that worried about my child I’d sit there all night.
GPs are not robots, they don’t run a 24 hour service. It’s a shame you wasted a journey but honestly if you knew you’d be cutting it fine, why waste the appointment? I hope your daughter is ok.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect the OP to know not to do what 111 said on this occasion. We are constantly being told that a&e is overwhelmed and we shouldn't go unless absolutely necessary, to call 111. OP did that and followed their advice.

DC needing a prescription for antibiotics shouldn't need to be something you rock up to a&e for. The fact that it is is bonkers. It's no wonder a&e is fit to burst.

PurpleWisteria1 · 12/12/2022 23:01

OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty · 12/12/2022 22:53

A surgery requiring you to physically queue for an appointment is a disgrace. I agree.

Show quote history

You have to really. The phone line is a sheer game of luck. Even if you dial on the second they open you can still be 40th in the queue. When you get through all appointments have gone or even worse, you just get cut off half way down the queue and then the queue is full when you try to call back.
They don’t issue any future appointments. On the day appointments only.
Queuing outside is the only way to get one but on this day I couldn’t even do that.

solomam · 12/12/2022 23:01

Goldenbear · 12/12/2022 23:00

Hangingoninthere88, you quite clearly stated the OP should take some responsibility, how exactly? They drove 13 miles for an appointment with said sick child and then was under 10 minutes late - which you have pointed out would be your personal threshold to see a late patient so 'how' is she not demonstrating personal responsibility. There is 'no' battle in this scenario as a GP holds all the cards as this is the normalised system now there is simply nothing the patient can do except be ever so grateful for scraps of medical attention. It is simply not good enough.

OP absolutely did take responsibility. Ridiculous comment by whoever suggested she didn't. What more could she have done ffs?!

MardyHa · 12/12/2022 23:01

Soontobe60 · 12/12/2022 23:00

You knew yesterday that you’d need to see the GP. You got an appointment - most parents would have moved heaven and earth to make that appointment. You’re being belligerent and entitled.

Show quote history

Have a helicopter do you? Think OP only has a car unfortunately.

solomam · 12/12/2022 23:02

@Goldenbear
I'm essentially agreeing with you! Sorry if that wasn't clear.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 12/12/2022 23:03

Your practice group sounds like the situation here. It's not a practice group that begins with R is it?

Two very local surgeries then one in a village quite some distance away. In today's weather/road conditions I wouldn't have wanted to go out to the further one.