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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That the gp should be more concerned

168 replies

poorlybaby23 · 30/11/2023 13:26

I'll start this off by saying I know that Primary care is overwhelmed at the moment.

I've got a 6 month old who has this dreaded virus that's going around, I think. Been poorly for well over a week, hacking cough that brings up mucus. Now refusing any milk, so far today has had 3oz. Usually has around 6x 7oz feeds a day. Very sleepy and seems unable to hold their head up. Inconsolable crying all night and most of the morning. Called the doctors and the receptionist said that we couldn't go on the duty list as it's probably just viral. I pushed at this point as 1. She isn't medically qualified 2. My baby is deteriorating.

Still waiting on a call back, I'm unsure whether to go to A&E as I'm starting to get concerned. Aibu if they don't call to lodge a complaint?

OP posts:
S23 · 30/11/2023 22:08

For future reference print off a copy of the NICE paediatric traffic lights and keep it in your medicine cupboard, it will give you more confidence in when to make the decision to go to hospital. Green column manage your child at home, amber column needs to be seen by a HCP, red column A&E ASAP (Own car or 999 whatever is quicker).

That the gp should be more concerned
BelleSauvage9 · 30/11/2023 22:54

I genuinely felt scared when reading your op. I had to take my son to a+e last week as he's got a virus that resulted in bronchiolitis and was struggling a bit with breathing. Yours sounds much worse and I know how worried I was! Glad you're there and baby is being treated, hope they're better asap

Sholkedabemus · 30/11/2023 22:59

poorlybaby23 · 30/11/2023 19:18

Well we have been admitted, so very glad we came in when we did. Lesson to me to always follow my gut.

You’re in the right place. I hope your child makes a speedy recovery. Definitely complain about what happened at your GP practice.

TiptoeTess · 30/11/2023 23:08

Really hope all is well, OP.
I’d make a complaint to the GP surgery once you’re home. That Receptionist shouldn’t be triaging if they think that was the right call.

Bearpawk · 30/11/2023 23:11

Hope you and baby are ok, op ❤️

roseheartfly · 30/11/2023 23:12

Please let us know how you both are xx

Vinrouge4 · 30/11/2023 23:21

Do make sure you make a complaint. It’s not good enough.

Nicole1111 · 30/11/2023 23:25

Thinking of you both and hoping for a speedy recovery. When your little one is better please complain. That woman is dangerous

Rosebud21 · 30/11/2023 23:26

@poorlybaby23 Thanks for the update, wishing your child well.

The Healthier Together 0-18 NHS information leaflets (e.g., www.what0-18.nhs.uk/ & links below) are perhaps easier to read than some NICE guidance which is mainly aimed at health care professionals

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/cough-and-cold

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/sepsis-spotting-signs

NeedingAGoodNap · 30/11/2023 23:27

I would make a complaint.

Hope everything is going well now

Original poster
poorlybaby23 · 30/11/2023 23:58

I have read every reply and all I can say is thank you for the support, it's made me a bit teary. How scary for some that your experience has been similar to mine. I'm glad I made this post as honestly her response made me question how serious it was and put that seed of doubt in my mind.

We are in the best place, baby is sleeping between the thorough obs, I have a recliner chair that will be my home for at least tonight. Baby is RSV positive and there are lots of babies on the ward with the same.

Thank you again all Flowers

OP posts:
Alloveragain3 · 01/12/2023 00:08

Bless you OP, we're just back from hospital after 3 days with DD who has RSV. She's only 3 weeks old and it's been tough going.
There were 4 other little ones being treated for RSV at the same time and the doctors said it was rampant.

The 6 month old in the ward next door needed a numbing spray and Calpol to help him feed, so this may help your little one?

We had a feeding tube, which worked really well.

I found it really draining being on the ward, so sending you strength and I hope you're both home soon.

TruJay · 01/12/2023 00:27

Hope baby is much better very soon and you can both get home. So scary when they’re so poorly so young

Blankspace4 · 01/12/2023 00:32

I think @S23 shared document here is brilliant and will save - hope others do too.

@poorlybaby23 really hope you manage to get some rest (not easy in a hospital chair I accept) and that little one is brighter tomorrow for the hospital care. You are absolutely in the right place! Do keep us posted as and when you can x

CormoranEllacott · 01/12/2023 03:48

I'm glad I made this post as honestly her response made me question how serious it was and put that seed of doubt in my mind.

I would mention this bit when you speak to the doctors office again. Not only were you turned away for an illness serious enough to require being admitted to hospital, for a baby, but the bad advice you got very nearly put you off from seeking that further assistance.

endofthelinefinally · 01/12/2023 04:04

I just read the OP and immediately thought RSV. I am glad you went in OP and hope you are both home again soon.
Receptionists should not be triaging. They are the least qualified person in the building. Unfortunately the nhs is in such a poor state this is going to keep happening.

Topsyturvy78 · 01/12/2023 04:22

I had that virus a few weeks ago. I woke up one morning could hear a rattling sound. Realised it was the phlegm on my chest when I was breathing.🤢Hope she's better soon.

EarlGreywithLemon · 01/12/2023 04:39

dooneyousmugelf · 30/11/2023 15:06

I'd ring the NHS line and wait an hour or so for a call back to confirm a walk-in appointment. In my area and others I can think of, you would be sat in A&E for at least 4-6 hours. Hellish with a poorly baby.

Not if the baby needs urgent assistance. If they do, they’ll be straight in. When my son’s breathing deteriorated in A&E, it went from a 4 hour wait to in and on oxygen right away. It was lucky we were in the waiting room when that happened though. Hence why the baby should be taken to A&E ASAP. Better safe than sorry.

And I agree this is unacceptable from the GP. Our surgery sees unwell babies not just the same day, but if they’re that young and unwell usually in a couple of hours max.

EarlGreywithLemon · 01/12/2023 04:46

Hope your baby makes a very swift recovery OP and that you’re both home very soon. Well done taking them in!

ImustLearn2Cook · 01/12/2023 04:48

@poorlybaby23 Sending hugs for you and your baby. Hope baby gets better soon 💐🧸💖

MixedCouple · 01/12/2023 05:01

Agree appalling my LO who just turned 2 has had viral tonsillitis and been unwell for 3 weeks as soon as ot got concerning they gave me an apt within 2 hours of calling. The riak of complications for toddlers and babies is high.

Also with the symptoms you mentioned I would have 111 a long time ago.

User923081 · 01/12/2023 05:09

I'm a GP. It's madness at the moment and I'm not going to lie managing everything safely can range from challenging to downright impossible some days. That said, I would always want to triage an under 1 year old if they're unwell.

Did the surgery give you any advice what to do if baby got worse OP? Or did they ask you to take baby to A and E or Walk in Centre? If our receptionists really couldn't get you an appointment then this is what they're trained to do to ensure safety. If they didn't do this then I'd say this is quite dangerous and needs feeding back to the surgery. Could be that it's a receptionist who needs more training or it could be that the whole surgery needs to be more robust with their policies.

Either way I'm glad baby is where they need to be now. This is a lesson to always go with your gut (as you did) and remember that you're the only one who can see your baby at that point so are their best advocate. I hope your little one is better and out of hospital soon xx

Differentstarts · 01/12/2023 05:29

You did the right thing op. Never doubt them motherly instincts. I hope your little one makes a fast recovery and yes I'd put a complaint in, receptionist aren't drs and shouldn't try to act like it, it's dangerous.

shattery · 01/12/2023 05:34

I'm glad you went in!

My 4yo had a few days of being unwell with 'a virus', and got to the stage of not being able to hold anything down.

She needed to be put on a drip, and tested positive for flu. She was really unwell. It wasn't 'just a virus'.

BurntoutGP · 01/12/2023 05:51

So glad you are in the right place and your baby is doing well. Also a GP and could have diagnosed RSV from your first post- it’s bronchiolitis season at the moment and any small baby that is drowsy and not feeding needs immediate assessment. Most of primary care is absolutely drowning at the moment but even if there was no space to see you another alternative should have been offered

As others have said this is a system and training issue and needs addressing by the surgery. Receptionists should not be triaging. If you have the time or energy please write a letter to the practice manager. Please try and not be too harsh on the individual receptionist- it is an unbelievably difficult job especially since Covid where demand has hugely risen and people are generally much less polite and tolerant.