To think 111 service is shocking!

[mkwar]

So on 2 occasions I have had to call 111 my ds is currently 6 weeks old, I called them once when he was three weeks old due to bad symptoms of what we now know was reflux and yesterday as he had been a little under the weather and started to slightly swell on the left side of this face, so naturally I called 111 due to his symptoms not being severe enough to call an ambulance, however if we felt we needed too we would have, we have ended up just taking him to a&e both times. So to get to the point I called them on both occasions and each time they have told me I need to speak to a clinician asap and one will call me straight back each time i have called them has been at night around 9pm and both times they haven't called me back until 3am like for a baby I just find that absolutely shocking I completely understand they are busy and have a lot to deal with, and if that was for myself or my Dh I wouldn't have cared about the long wait but I just believe you can't chance anything with a bubba or a child! I'm so annoyed by it to top it off I was left a shitty voicemail from them complaining I didn't pick up the phone it was 3am and I was already in the hospital with my ds my last thought was checking my phone I had placed it on silent to avoid waking anyone in the ward up and my ds.

Has anyone else has the same issues? X

Thank you! He is on the mend now! X

It’s not a word.

I've never used 111 but it had a dreadful press during covid.

I was looking to see what you do in my area if you have a problem when GPs are closed and it says to call 111. Joy. We do now have a minor injuries/drop in centre locally but it's only open 9-5.

I love how some people's concerns are about the word bubba, instead of worrying if a BABY is ok 🤣 laughable

I called 111 for a suspected ear issue, when I'd bene unable to get a GP appointment and wanted a walk in centre appointment. Luckily they realised my symptoms were much more severe than I had considered, a clinical rung me back within 5 minutes with his suspicions, sent me straight to A&E and it was much more severe than an ear infection. 111 could have possibly saved my life.

This is the healthcare we have ended up with after years of a stagnant economy, ballooning national debt, exploding population, drop in net contributors and rise in people who take more from the system than they pay in.

111 and the NHS as a whole have been systematically defunded by the Tory government for years. So come the next general election, think carefully how you vote.

@mkwar Thank you that's so kind. Obviously same for your DC and yourself. : )

I've mainly had very good experiences with 111, although I think it does vary between regions. My most recent one wasn't so good, as my son broke his arm during Covid, and I phoned them to check whether we needed to make an appointment to take him to A&E (you had to have appointments for a while there). They took me through the billions of questions, even though I had stated pretty clearly why I was phoning from the beginning, put me on hold a couple of times, and eventually advised me to take him to A&E. Did I need an appointment? They didn't know. Thanks.

Other than that though, I've found the service to be pretty useful.

Sorry for your experience Op but we've used them multiple times recently (as my DCs keep getting very poorly) and they've been brill.

Also had to go to adults A&E, childrens A&E & one DC has been admitted to the children's ward. All experiences were first class - couldn't complain at all (although hoping we don't need to use them for a while!).

I know people go on and on about the NHS being driven into the ground but thankfully that's not been my very recent first hand experience.

It used to work really well. I have found though anything with little ones they'll either tell you to contact your GP or send you to A+E anyway so I didn't bother with it for the kids.
It doesn't help that there are things they're having to deal with that the line wasn't set up for. For example if you run out of medication and your GP is closed you have to ring 111. There needs to be an option for where pharmacists can dispense emergency medication until the GP is back open without 111 sorting it. And then there are people ringing for things which IMO 111 don't need to be involved with. No offence to the PP but the one with the dripping finger is one. If it's not stopping bleeding and you've done normal first aid at home it either needs to be dressed professionally or glued/stitched. It shouldn't need 111 to tell you to go MIU.

…

111 was great with my recent shingles. My GP rang me back very promptly. I’d had no luck calling the surgery myself and didn’t want to do online as you need the antivirals promptly with shingles.

@GirlsLikeUnicorns
How rude. Round here a baby might be called a Babby. What’s your problem?

Part of the issue is people don't understand how to use 111.
Reflux is a gp appointment, unexplained swelling is a&e. Neither needed 111 or a call back.

It isn't a great service as it is now. And a&e is largely horrendous unless it's a genuine emergency (as in imminent death situation). Both could be improved by people being educated on how to use them appropriately - and from better funding and management but that's not happening any time soon.

Especially with babies and young children 111 will be cautious. They can't describe their symptoms so many of the questions aren't really helpful making it hard to say what the issue is and how severe.

😂😂😂 touche!

I think you've explained the reason why it's so bad in your opening paragraph, you've called twice in 6 weeks. The volume of calls is unsustainable, people can't get a same day or even next day doctors appointment currently so 111 is their next contact. My MIL doesn't even try and call her doctors now, it's always 111 and because she has a heart condition gets an ambulance which is a waste of resources. The government need to fix the primary care 'front door' to the NHS.

That sounds stressful and I hope your little one is much better soon. I have used 111 twice since my baby was born, waited a couple of hours for a call back then booked in for an OOH GP appointment (middle of the night both times). So it has been helpful- but I think this service might not be available in all areas? My mum and dad live 100 miles away and I don't think they have this option, I think they would just be referred to A&E/wait for a walk in clinic to open, I could be wrong though

I don't agree at all.
I called with worrying symptoms, spoke to a doctor within 2 hours, had a face to face appointment with my own doctor arranged by 111 as soon as surgery opened.
I was then referred for tests that were done and results back within 2 weeks. Treatment started.
An amazing service for me.
I think it depends where you live and the nature of symptoms.

Is that what you took from this? That’s a bit sad @GirlsLikeUnicorns

i agree OP. It’s scary when you have a child who’s unwell never mind a newborn.

I hope they’ve picked up and are on the mend.

@GirlsLikeUnicorns 🤣🤣 she’s had you there. Hope everything’s okay now OP.