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

33 replies

NameChangeAgain0224 · 18/03/2024 05:50

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?

OP posts:
barelyfunctional · 18/03/2024 09:27

Contacted them on a Saturday for a bad skin infection I had, when they phoned back I was in the queue for the pharmacy on the Monday having already seen a GP and been prescribed antibiotics for it.

familyissues12345 · 18/03/2024 09:28

We've used it a few times - worst was about 25 hours. By the time they'd called back to offer me a GP app, I'd organised one myself.

We have had two fantastic responses - rang back within 5 mins when DS1 had suspected concussion - we were in A&E within 30 mins

Rang back within 5 mins when DS2 had a horrendous virus, temp at 40c which was difficult to reduce. He was so poorly. They had us being seen by a GP within an hour.

VerityUnreasonble · 18/03/2024 09:35

I've been called back by 111 in the middle of the night on 3 separate occasions, when I hadn't phoned them in the first place...

So apologies to anyone whose call backs I've been getting. I guess they just really like me.

OldTinHat · 18/03/2024 09:38

I was told I would have a call back last summer. I'm still waiting...

Justploddingonandon · 18/03/2024 09:39

About 18 hours about a year ago. Called about 2pm on a Saturday, got a call about midnight to say yes we know you're still waiting, a call from a nurse about 7am and doctor called about 9am. Agreed DD did need to be seen in person and made an appointment for 3pm that afternoon. Where they agreed with me DD had tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics. Which were out of stock at every pharmacy open on a Sunday so I couldn't actually get until the next morning, when I could've just seen my own GP ( who is actually usually fairly good at seeing children) as by then it was Monday.

NameChangeAgain0224 · 18/03/2024 10:08

DilemmaDelilah · 18/03/2024 09:09

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).

Oh my God! That’s awful!

OP posts:
iLovee · 18/03/2024 10:14

The best was a callback within about 5 mins with an OOH appt (on a bank holiday!) For tonsillitis.

The worst was never.

The longest was about 1 hour and 20 mins whilst waiting for a callback about my very tiny baby. I took him to a&e in that time and he ended up having meningitis. I still go cold at thinking about what could have happened if I had waited for the call back.

mumda · 18/03/2024 11:14

My mum rang in the early evening, following spinal surgery, about 6pm and they rang at 3.30am.

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