To wonder about a&e alternatives and when its quietest

[Eatinghurts]

A private GP service have said my symptoms should be assessed f2f and I may need an abdominal xray. They are concerned about a partial bowel obstruction my NHS GP is suggesting an appointment in 2 weeks.

while I vommitwhen Ui eat and my stomach is bloated and hard I feel quite well and can’t face A&E. Anyone know when its likely to be quietest or if anywhere else wghere could get abdomon examined, urine dipped and xray if needed?a To wonder if the is a service better than A&E and if A&E is place to go when it will be quietest

No, you just get the appointment through your GP.

I took my adult DC to A&E at 4.40am and we were just about the only ones there

When did you last empty your bowels?

@NegroanySeems strange to wait for a GP based off an online form. A GP who has seen over a video call is concerned about how bloated my stomach looks. They suggested may be adhesions partially blocking the small bowel.

A&E won't do all the tests you are hoping for. They do "patch you up and refer you on", so you'd still need to wait for the appointment for the other tests.

See what 111 say.

I admit, I avoid phoning the surgery at all costs and do as much as I can either via their online response service or - if outside opening hours and seeming urgent - 111 online, who can arrange an out of hours appointment if their assessment warrants it.

I do my best to ensure there is a maximum of data available, so duration of symptoms, any temperature or other relevant readings, etc. So in your case, how long since you were last able to keep a meal down, how long since your last bowel movement, nature/texture of any bowel movement, and number on the Bristol stool chart (Google it) for completeness. If there is any appearance of coffee grounds in your vomit, if the stool is either black and tarry or pale/claylike and especially stinky, I’d note that as well. Are you keeping liquids down?

Right now, it’s late enough in the day that I would use 111 and see what they say, mentioning the comments of your private GP, and see if they can get you into an out of hours GP for assessment.

@BMW6 yeasterday. This has been going on for a week and if I eat more than soup or a milkshake I vommit.

I tried some lactulose over the weekend incase liquid when i pooh is overflow arround constipation.

There is an app available in certain areas that tells you current wait times for your local a&es. It is called Waitless. It currently works in the following areas:

Kent & Medway
Hampshire, Southampton & Isle of Wight
Lincolnshire
Staffordshire & Stoke

I used to work in a & e and would say around 6-7am in the best time to go , still a wait, but the staff change over at 7 definitely helps to move things along abit. Hope you get sorted quickly.

Around 3-4am on a weekday is normally quietest in my experience.

My friends husband works in an A&E dept and says around 4am is it’s quietest time.

Having worked there, early morning like 4-5am, definitely midweek not a weekend, and ideally when it’s been beautifully warm and sunny the day before. You go and get triaged and then hopefully gradually bump up the list over the next couple of hours. Then the nurses changeover at 7 and the pace picks up a bit and hopefully got get seen pretty quickly.

@Negroany. Will try 111 I am not expecting A&E to be a quick permenent fix. I am waiting on gastro for this. Its more tests to check nothing urgent is going on. A urine test the other day showed protein in my urine so want to rule out that vomitting is kidney related and someone to have a feel of my tummy to see if the hard bloatedness is normal.

@GrumpyInsomniacthanks yes tried my GP online appointment request today. Its usually really good but when the receptionist called said GP thinks probably IBs. Which does not seem consistent with quite how little have eaten.

@Squibblenutssaddly not in an area with the app.

@dollyblue01@Yellowrose225588any sense of if a walk in would assess this? I feel a fraud going to A&E when feeling reasonably ok just verry bloated, vomit when eat and a pain pressure sensation. I am in a new arrea and cant find what services local utc have.

It varies depending on your area, but in my experience this is not walk-in centre type of thing. They are usually for minor illnesses and injuries (often they do limb x-rays only).

A private GP has exactly the same qualifications as an NHS GP so I would listen and go to A&E.

It’s not the most minor thing A&E have seen by a long shot, probably won’t even be the most minor of that day (I saw a person with a broken nail once). I suggest if you feel silly then “I was advised to come by the GP” should be your opening line. However that said be prepared to wait because it’s not imminently life threatening and other people will go in front of you.

We have a walk in near us and they wouldn’t see this, they’d send you on to a and e.

doesn’t sound like ibs to me (I have ibs).

It's neither an accident, nor an emergency, so you don't waste anyone's time at A&E! If you're not prepared to wait for NHS tests, then just pay to go privately again. It's very simple.

OP, I would urge you back to the GP for a CT scan referral and a colonoscopy. A blockage could be a tumour and you really need to have this checked out.

I would go to A&E first thing in the morning. As early as you can manage. I am not a medic but I do think it sounds like you need an urgent assessment. If, once you've been seen, they are happy for you to wait for a referral then so be it but it does sound like you may need more urgent intervention.

How do you know it is not an emergency?

I would go to a and e. If they don't think you are in need of their care then will just send you home. Some are very quick.
GP advised me to go in on Friday. Arrived about 10.30 am. By 12 I had been triaged, was on a bed in a and e, had bloods taken and seen a Dr. By 2pm I had had a CT scan. By 3 bloods and scan results back, given meds and plan agreed with Dr.

@Yellowrose225588 WTF were their expectations on the nail.

Its super frustrating there is no other option. Would like somethimg like being able to go down to surgical assessment unit at a preagreed time. While obviously would have to wait would avoid having to go through multiple people I have previously had an open small bowel resection, so likely picture of adhesions. I am not doing the constant vomitting of an obstruction but obviously seems to be something going on. I m passing wind.

Are you vomiting or regurgitating because the 2 are not the same and may help them decide how ill you are.
Regurgitation happens very soon after eating with minimal retching and abdominal contraction.
Vomiting happens after a while and there’s usually lots of active heaving to get everything up.
gutscharity.org.uk/2024/02/vomiting-and-regurgitation-when-should-i-seek-help/

@Bushmillsbabe Hope you are feeling better. That is quick to get treatment!