To think, actually going to A&E does get you better quicker treatment?

[Sparklytoe]

I've got a finger injury. It was initially seen through A&E/minor injuries and the referred to the hand trauma unit by A&E.

Since then, in 8 weeks, I've had 2 other hospital appointments and 5 sessions of physio. If I'd tried to do it via GP, I'd have waited 4 weeks for the first appointment and way more before an inital physio appointment.

I don't know if I did the right thing for the system or not, but it was definitely the right thing for me and my finger.

I think minir injuries is perfect for this sort of thing. The issue is where you don't have access to a MIU and present at ED (unless of course your finger is hanging off) and clog up the system.

Unfortunately, I agree. We only got the care and support we needed for my mum's dementia by going through A&E (not even our choice at the time she was taken by the police).

Well of course it starts the ball rolling quicker because appointment 1 in on the spot instead of a 4 week wait.

So was it A&E or minor injuries because there is a difference. Plus it’s an actual injury and not a chronic condition, an actual accident.

I went to minor injuries, but they sent me to A&E because they only have xray at the MIU for a few hours a day.

Yes, but I saw a consultant within 2 days of my first visit. I don't think that would have happened if I'd gone via GP?

My young adult niece was misdiagnosed then kept on a waiting list for agonising, life ruining gallbladder issues. She had to give up university.

My mum had one attack of gallbladder pain, went to A and E, and was operated on the next day.

It is just so unfair.

It might. Hand injuries are very complex and require swift rehabilitation in order to preserve function.

If you had of gone to your GP for a finger injury as you describe they would have sent you to your minor injuries / A&E dept for specialist review anyway as hand injuries are quite specialist. So in this instance all you did in reality was cut out the initial GP visit as the follow treatment would have been the same 🙂.

Had you presented at A&E with a chronic issue e.g. my sore knee has got worse they would have referred you back to your GP so you wouldn’t have queue jumped , just sat in A&E for hours wasting time.

sounds like a result. it would have taken several weeks here to see the GP and then months on end for physio. Orthopedic referrals are well over a year. Complete shit show. of course you did the right thing! I admit, I am still surprised how much you got. maybe also postcode dependant. I couldn't see this happening where I am

This sounds like an appropriate use of minor injuries unit, who then sent you on to A&E for an x-ray. As a previous poster said, the GP would have sent you there anyway. You chose the appropriate service for your problem, the GP bit is not really relevant.

Hospital referrals to clinics don't get you bumped up compared to that of a gp what the likely hood is due to being seen at the A and E/minor injuries unit they were able to provide vital info that helps the consultants when they are triarging their referrals which meant you got an appointment according to the urgency.