111 call back service. What’s your record time?

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About 18 months ago I called 111 due to my four year old having a 15 hour history of vomiting where he couldn’t even keep sips of water down and he was barely urinating. I was told that due to his age and symptoms I would be called back by a doctor within two hours. The time comes and goes and eventually I take my son to A&E as he went downhill a little. By the time 111 called me back (despite me having chased it) it had still been over 9 hours since I phoned.

Yesterday I used the 111 online symptom checker as my son had gradually been coming out in a rash over the past 48 hours that was over all his body. It was clusters of red, raised bumps mainly over his face, neck and arms, but also present to a lesser extent over his chest and legs. I knew there had been recent outbreaks of scarlet fever type viruses and measles so although he seemed okay I used the symptom checker as a way of reassurance. However, when I got to the end of the process the screen said a doctor would need to speak to me and asked for my son’s details and my phone number. The screen said that due to my son’s age and symptoms I would be called back within two hours.

This time it took just over 13 hours to get my call back (again with chasing).

Is this some kind of record?

There must be some positive stories out there as well as negative ones though?

Never😅 I've really lost all faith in the call back service

12 hours, they said it would be 6 so at the 6 mark I went to out of hours and was there and back at the 9 hour mark. They called three hours later. This was for a baby who had scarlet fever

30 minutes. I think it was clear I was quite unwell

I’ve had two callbacks for DC under one hour, and sent to the local OOO clinic within an hour after the callback

When DD was very small, it was within the hour. Now she's two, when I called recently (first time since she was about 2 months old!) was told it would be 6 hours but it ended up being 10 hours. Not terrible... but 6 hours was 2am and I was still awake waiting but 10 was 4am and I had just nodded off... heard the phone but fumbling half asleep to answer managed to accidentally reject the call.

i have used the online system twice for DS and both times a Dr called within half an hour. First one he was seen within the hour second a prescription was sent straight to the pharmacy.

For my grandson aged 6 months phoned around 3.30 pm, re tummy pain, phoned back before 4 pm and asked to come in for 4.30 pm - home before 5 pm.

For myself right sided pain when breathing when being treated for chest infection. Phoned at 5 pm doctor phoned back and seen by 6.15 pm.

Excellent service.

Whilst it’s unfortunate your child was ill, there was possibly more ill people or people in need of more urgent care than your son

For my children, never been more than 1 hour now she's older, as a baby I was kept on the call and no need for a call back as they sent an ambulance.

Myself - suspected sepsis- as above no call back required

Fil on Saturday waited 40 minutes for the call back but took 6 hours for the gp to arrive at his home

Child not children

When I phoned worried about DD we were already under observation in hospital before they phoned back.

I phoned this weekend about a non-urgent issue for myself that I'd been advised to seek advice on and I'd had two call backs within two hours.

I’m glad to hear there are better experiences out there.

When they called back it was 4.20am so I was obviously asleep and didn’t answer, so I was left quite a shirty voice message by a nurse who seemed quite annoyed that I hadn’t answered. Are we expected to stay awake through the night until they phone?

At the end of her message she said that if I still require their services then to call them back at 111.

My son has woken up now and still covered in the rash but I think I will skip 111 and just call the GP Surgery instead.

About 18 hours to speak to a clinician . Although an operative called us back twice in that time to check we still required them and to tell us someone would be in touch soon .

Yes, OP, they do expect you to answer overnight.

17 hours for a call back at which point they sent paramedics.

I’m still waiting for a call back from 2013 😂

However I have also had very good assistance from them at other times.

I did it online for myself and was told I needed a call back in 2 hours. 18 hours later they called me back to check on me and see if my condition had got worse, I.e. Still no doctor to speak to me any time soon. I told them not to bother, as I had got an Out of Hours GP appt, who then sent me to A&E anyway. A&E thankfully diagnosed migranes and not stroke.

I barely slept the whole night with my phone on loud, wished I hadn't bothered. This was Dec 2022, just before Christmas and possibly doctors strikes. My son had a rash last night and I decided to check on him myself overnight and seek medical attention today if needed rather than call.

I've called 111 twice, both times for me.

Both times I have had a call back from my GP/MIU nurse within 20 mins, and a face to face appt within an hour.

I've been impressed.

They're probably bogged down by the likes of my MIL who recently phoned them twice, once for catarrh and another less than 24 hours after feeling fatigued.

Never and 48 hours. .in the case of 48 hours bil took my dh who was becoming septic to a&e as they hadn't phoned back in 2 hours. He just needed antibiotics as had it before....

For myself.... Rang 111 Thursday night. Got a call Friday morning to say I was still on the list. Got a call on Sunday to say I was still on the list. Got a doctor's appointment on Monday morning - was told to go to AMU (acute medical unit) at the hospital and they would be expecting me. As I was putting together my overnight bag just before going to the hospital I received ANOTHER phone call to say I was still on the list. I was in hospital for 5 days.

So - nearly 4 days without having a call back - would have been even longer if I had waited for the call back rather than going to the doctor (heart condition).

I used to work for NHS Direct (before it became 111). There were so many callers like this clogging up the system. It’s no wonder it takes so long to call people back when there’s so many people who couldn’t find their arse with both hands.

I recently got a call back from the dr within 3 minutes! Was advised to take child to the out of hours clinic where the Dr would see her. Got there and straight in . Excellent service though we have had a few very ling wait times for call backs.

Never. Called them when I had a gallbladder attack. (I didn’t know it was that at the time). They said they would get a doctor to call me. That was about 2 years ago.

17 hours with very poorly child.

Needless to say, I'd assumed eight hours prior to that that they'd forgotten so went straight to A&E (which turned out to be the right decision) and when they did ring it took me by surprise!

Called at 12.30 am Thursday eve/Friday Morn. Got a call back at 4am. This was for a 13 year old boy with severe earache.