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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious

195 replies

Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 01:09

How has the NHS come to this? My DD had a seizure in the summer. We went to hospital but discharged later.
Nothing has happened but today she had two seizures. One at around 9 and one an hour ago. Called ambulance after her seizure at 9, they said it would be hours for an ambulance but 4 hours? After she's had a second seizure? I can't drive her as had a Covid jab yesterday and am feeling sick and dizzy and DH has been drinking.
I mean thank fuck it's not life threatening! (I know she'd be higher priority before anyone takes that seriously).
She's asleep on the sofa now and I'm sat with her, feeling tired, ill and worried about DD
Is this what the country has come to? Is that government actually going to do anything to help our healthcare system and support those who work in it.

OP posts:
MessyNeate · 21/10/2024 01:14

Can't you get a taxi?

Original poster
Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 01:18

I'm a bit scared to get a taxi as she's literally just had another seizure and I can't even leave her to get dressed as obviously it's happening too much

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves24 · 21/10/2024 01:21

I'm sorry xx

How old is DD?

Any neighbour/friends/family you could ask to drive you? I know it's 1am, but I'd be happy to drive you even if you were a neighbour I didn't know.

Are you sure you aren't up to driving. I had my jabs yesterday & feel rough too, but not rough enough to stop me driving my DD to hospital. Would DH be in a fit state to provide support?

How many times have you called 111?

NoisyDenimShaker · 21/10/2024 01:22

Have you called 111? They'll prioritise an ambulance for you if they think it's necessary - which they might deem it to be after three seizures. But honestly, at this point I'd just bundle her into a taxi in what she's wearing and go to A&E asap. But still call 111 because they can give A&E a heads-up that you're coming in.

If taxi isn't an option can you get a neighbour to take you? It does sound like an emergency.

Meadowfinch · 21/10/2024 01:22

Perhaps your dh could avoid alcohol when you are feeling poorly.

my ds lives with just me, and I never drink when I am 'responsible adult'.

I hope she's ok. I know it can be frightening.

Ringpeace · 21/10/2024 01:23

"How has the NHS come to this?"

Tories. It's going to take a very, very long time to fix the havoc they wrought.

I hope your daughter gets medical attention very soon. I have experience of a loved one having seizures. Very scary. My sincere sympathy.

loropianalover · 21/10/2024 01:24

It doesn’t make sense that because an ambulance can’t come you now don’t see the need to take her? Taxi, relative, take an anti nausea tablet and drive? Why can’t DH sit and watch her while you dress quickly?

Toucanlion · 21/10/2024 01:24

Sorry to hear your daughter is unwell but I cant see how getting a taxi differs to driving her. If your DH hadn't drunk alcohol you'd be driving her? You'll still be in the taxi with her?

RosesAndHellebores · 21/10/2024 01:27

If her father would drive her if he wasn't drunk and you would if you weren't feeling off due to your covid jab, you book and pay for a taxi. You do not need an ambulance.

I hope your dd recovers well.

HerbalHotpants · 21/10/2024 01:29

It's really, really worrying isn't it. I hope she's better soon.

RechargeableGnu · 21/10/2024 01:36

Agree now you know she may be prone to more seizures that either you or DH be able to drive in future.

Original poster
Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 01:38

RosesAndHellebores · 21/10/2024 01:27

If her father would drive her if he wasn't drunk and you would if you weren't feeling off due to your covid jab, you book and pay for a taxi. You do not need an ambulance.

I hope your dd recovers well.

Actually they are now sending an ambulance. Unless you have seen your child fit you have no idea how frightening it is. If she fits in the taxi it'll probably freak the driver out and she keeps wetting herself during the fit (embarrassing for her as she's 16).
I'm not lucky enough to have nearby family but luckily it doesn't matter this time.

OP posts:
ladyditaverner · 21/10/2024 01:40

The new government has already made a decent pay offer to junior doctors which they've accepted. So that's a start. And we're about to be hit with a new budget which should hopefully raise some more funds to help to start to sort out the nhs.

I hope you get to the bottom of the seizures. Assume they're not temp related?

ladyditaverner · 21/10/2024 01:41

Oh sorry just seen she's 16 so guessing not temp related.

Original poster
Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 01:45

loropianalover · 21/10/2024 01:24

It doesn’t make sense that because an ambulance can’t come you now don’t see the need to take her? Taxi, relative, take an anti nausea tablet and drive? Why can’t DH sit and watch her while you dress quickly?

I didn't say there was no need to take her, I said I can't. I'm not going to drive while I'm dizzy and we don't have any nearby family.
Ambulance is here now.

OP posts:
NoisyDenimShaker · 21/10/2024 01:50

Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 01:38

Actually they are now sending an ambulance. Unless you have seen your child fit you have no idea how frightening it is. If she fits in the taxi it'll probably freak the driver out and she keeps wetting herself during the fit (embarrassing for her as she's 16).
I'm not lucky enough to have nearby family but luckily it doesn't matter this time.

Show quote history

I'm so glad the ambulance is with you. Sending lots of good wishes!

LBFseBrom · 21/10/2024 01:55

Thank goodness an ambulance arrived. I am sorry about this, op, I know it must be worrying.

Please let us know how she gets on, I imagine she will have several tests. There's no point speculating as to cause, the medics will do their best to find out what it is.

All the best to you all.

giggly · 21/10/2024 02:01

Sorry I just can’t see why you think the NHS is to blame. Two parents present, one unwell due to a NHS preventative medication so your DH drinks alcohol meaning that no drivers available in your house for an emergency. Tell me how that is the NHS fault.
When did effective parenting become the NHS fault.
I am a single parent and only drink alcohol when I know I have a back up available should I need it for exactly the situation you have found yourself in.

Original poster
Threelittleduck · 21/10/2024 02:29

So you don't think ambulances should be available if people need them? Do you also think it's okay to be told after having a seizure in July you have to wait until January for a brain scan? If they had resources and staff they should have it would have been done quicker and maybe we wouldn't even need an ambulance.
Is it okay for my brother to have to wait 5 weeks to hear if he had cancer despite being told it would be a week?
The NHS is in a state and the staff who work there are doing their best in a shit system.
I'm not blaming them for the problems but our last government really shafted the NHS

OP posts:
Sunshine1500 · 21/10/2024 02:34

The nhs is in a state and you’ve not been given the care daughter needed from them. But she’s 16 with two parents you should have driven her to hospital or got a taxi. Hope she’s doing okay now x

Freeyourminds · 21/10/2024 02:49

MessyNeate · 21/10/2024 01:14

Can't you get a taxi?

It’s more to go with, regarding a serious health condition (with epilepsy the person could go into a coma) calling an ambulance the patient would get medical care by a paramedic sooner than the patient making their own way to the hospital.
By getting a taxi the patient potentially could have another epileptic fit on the way.Also by making their own way to the hospital, treatment would be delayed, due to waiting to be triaged and long wait times.

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/10/2024 02:51

Sure, ambulances should be available, but equally, why was your DH still drinking after she had the first fit and hospital was likely needed?

If he was absolutely hammered before the first fit and stopped drinking and still not sober enough to drive 4 hours later, fair enough but you could have got a taxi, given her some pads to wear, sat her on a towel and a bin liner just in case...

She needed seeing. That doesn't automatically equate to needing an ambulance.

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/10/2024 02:52

Freeyourminds · 21/10/2024 02:49

It’s more to go with, regarding a serious health condition (with epilepsy the person could go into a coma) calling an ambulance the patient would get medical care by a paramedic sooner than the patient making their own way to the hospital.
By getting a taxi the patient potentially could have another epileptic fit on the way.Also by making their own way to the hospital, treatment would be delayed, due to waiting to be triaged and long wait times.

Show quote history

Getting an ambulance in does not necessarily speed up treatment - this is one of the myths that causes over-use of ambulances.

Freeyourminds · 21/10/2024 03:08

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/10/2024 02:52

Getting an ambulance in does not necessarily speed up treatment - this is one of the myths that causes over-use of ambulances.

Show quote history

I understand that, because as we know, there are massive delays with ambulances.I was explaining to another poster why, an ambulance might be necessary rather than a taxi.I don’t think it’s helpful to be telling people off, for calling an ambulance in a medical emergency and berate, which is the approach you’ve taken.In a very difficult situation, it’s for the next of kin to decide.

MaggieBsBoat · 21/10/2024 03:14

You are not wrong OP.

I hope all is going well at the hospital and you get to the bottom of this.
It's terrifying when your child has seizures.