To think my GP was useless and I should complain?

[Connected1]

My asthma is normally well controlled, but yesterday while recovering from a chest infection (treated with antibiotics and oral steroids) I had an asthma attack. I improved after multiple ventolin doses, but still was breathless on moving or talking so I phoned my GP for advice on whether I needed more treatment.

I was breathless on the phone, and the receptionist seemed concerned and said she'd get me a call back. I thought it would be urgent, but the GP phoned back well over 2 hours later.
She suggested oral steroids but I explained I was already taking them.
She seemed at a loss then, apart from raising the dose, so I asked if I could come in for a nebuliser treatment. She said no they didn't offer nebuliser, but I queried that as I had it at the surgery before (she's new to the surgery).

She then went to ask the nurse and in the process we got cut off. She called me back to say that the surgery did offer it,......but I would have to hang up and call back to reception so they could make an appointment! At this stage I was so breathless and felt so poorly that I just said 'OK' and hung up.

I couldn't believe the lack of urgency, as it was costing me an effort even to talk. My husband came home & called an ambulance. The ambulance medics said to always call 112, (or go direct to the hospital as I live quite close to it) in the event of another attack. I know this is the official advice but because I had improved a bit initially, I wasn't sure if I should follow through. I got treatment and I'm recovering at home.

I think the doctor, or even the receptionist, when they heard how poorly I was, should have advised me to ring 112 or go straight to A&E. And I especially couldn't believe that they expected me to call back to make an appointment again. When you're feeling so ill, it's very hard to get the proper help you need and you just want someone else to take over for you.

I am of course going to complain to the surgery, but wanted to hear what people, especially with a medical background, think about this treatment. I can't quite believe it was as bad as it was!

I was told blue lights in similar scenario

As a Nurse Practitioner who treats asthmatics in the community, the only time we can give an oxygen driven nebuliser to an asthmatic is when we dial for an ambulance to take them into hospital.

If you were Short of breath and unable to speak in full sentences despite taking steroids and taking your salbutamol then it's hospital.

It's best practice for asthmatics to have at least yearly reviews, to review inhalers, inhaler techniques, peak flows and management plan etc so I would query with your practice if they do this and you aren't on their radar? It's in the British thoracic guidelines. Or that they don't do this in Ireland.

I'm always really careful/have a low threshold with Asthmatics as it can change so quickly. All of this should have been in your plan.
Definitely not a GP job as the on call GP will be working through phone calls and other emergency appointments and the receptionist isn't medically trained to say call an ambulance.

You're welcome🤗

I must say the Asthma & Lung UK line isn't for emergencies as such either, but they have specialists nurses and can help if you're really struggling. In my opinion the specialist nurses are miles better than the GP. If the Asthma helpline in Ireland has dedicated nurses it is still worth calling if you're not getting anywhere with doctor.

I know what you mean. Sometimes you think the emergency services is too dire and stretched, so want another professional to 'greenlight' you using emergency services. But you're better off calling them.

Thank you, that's useful. I need to chase up a plan with my GP.

Try the Asthma Society of Ireland OP.
They're advertising a webinar at the moment. It's on Nov 1st and will have tips for managing asthma. You can also book a call with asthma nurses and they talk a lot about asthma plans. They have plan templates to print out. You will need to go back to the gp to be assessed for any prescription changes though.

I want to thank you for your post. It's given me a reminder to ensure I'm up to date on the kids asthma plans and also a reminder of what to do in an emergency.

Difficulty breathing is obviously an emergency and your call to your gp should have been prioritised and you should have been advised to contact the emergency services I think. Or they should have contacted them as you were in obvious distress (breathless). I would mention it to them. People in the UK may not be aware there is no option of 111 here in Ireland so perhaps gps do have to assume that role somewhat?

I've found I do have to chase things myself.
My gp surgery have never mentioned asthma plans. The last time I asked about a nebuliser (salbutamol) the gp said the thinking now is that the Ventolin inhaler does the same job. I know they did used to give them to the kids when they were smaller (they are younger teens now).

I feel for you and you are getting a bit of flack for not doing the right thing ...So I will add that I didn't know what to do when I had a bad attack a couple of years ago, despite having had asthma on and off for 40 years and having been seen for reviews regularly at the GP surgery ... Simply as it's never normally out of control when they see me, so 'emergency action if needed' (and being wheezy v having an actual attack) had never been mentioned. Very scary. I also considered going to A&E for example, but felt it wasn't serious enough.

I just don't think everyone with asthma would know what to do and this is an issue.

The GP action in itself though - not an issue.

Remember what you did for next time, and mention it in passing to anyone who has asthma (this is what I try and do now).

Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate it 😊

Thanks so much for taking time to reply.
I thought that because I could breathe reasonably well when sitting quietly/not talking meant I'd be wasting time calling emergency services.
I'll be more aware in future

A lot of negative blaming here. GPS and hospitals don't give a stuff about asthma sufferers. An action plan is just useless as the nhs don't follow it. You are supposed to call the doctor when unwell. Victim blaming much.