To not understand how NHS works

[LoverofRyanGosling]

Hello Mumsnetters , my son is currently in the UK studying and therefore this means I do not understand the health system in England very well. Last week he was playing basketball and had an injury with his finger. He went along to a minor injuries clinic and after an x ray was found to have a break. He has a splint on but what happens now. Does he go back at anytime? Or just resume normal activities after 4-6 weeks? I am unclear and he said the doctor didn’t really advise what to do next (but I am aware this could be him being useless). Any advice would be gratefully received.

The doctor will write a letter to his GP if he is registered with one and he should get a copy of the letter. I think the doctor would have given him advise on the splint and reviver, if he's at uni do they have a nurse he can talk to.

Thank you. He’s only been there a super short amount of time so hasn’t registered with anyone as yet. I guess he should do that asap. In the meantime, any ideas?

To not understand how NHS works
It just doesn’t, sorry. I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy, I am getting much better care in the second world country we have moved to.
I’m sorry, your son was almost certainly given no follow up, my DS was given no follow up when he broke his wrist in the uk, they just said wear a splint for 4 weeks, no second xray to check it had healed, nothing.

Unfortunately I agree. I received better care in a third world country than I have on the NHS.

And here was me feeling quite impressed with how quickly he was seen and assessed 🤦🏽‍♀️ Maybe there are some good points and bad points to it.

Get him to register at a local GP, he can ring the minor injuries department and ask them for advice, do you know which hospital he went to.

It all depends on your son’s visa situation, to be honest. Does he know if he is entitled to free NHS care? I would advise trying to register with a GP as soon as possible as that will hopefully prove he is entitled. In the meantime, did he not get a copy of the discharge paperwork? If not, he could ring A+E reception and ask what was documented. When my daughter fractured her ankle, she was just sent some physio exercises to do and told to ring the fracture clinic if she was still in pain after 6 weeks. So not very much follow up at all!

I think they have advised. wear the splint for 4-6 weeks. But yes, he should register with a GP.

I imagine they said wear the splint, come back or see his GP if it swells, pain increases or he is worried.

The organisation he is studying at (I assume a university) might have some kind of advice service even just to signpost to local GPs and help him sign up so he can then hopefully get follow up care.

Nothing happens now? Not much more you can do for a broken finger. 6 weeks crack on. Any signs of infection or problems go to the GP.

He should register with a GP.

they’ve told him to wear the splint for 4-6 weeks.

the expectation will be that if it’s not healed/there are any problems after that he goes to GP or back to minor injuries.

the nhs does not work.

It sounds to me like the NHS has worked pretty well for this young man so far!

I think it depends which part of the system he was in. Minor injuries units are very good at this sort of thing, and would usually suggest a follow up / referral to fracture clinic. He could try popping into one and asking?

I think they’re just expecting it to heal. I’ve had this a few times with dc who’ve broken things x-ray and a splint at A+E. The x ray is reviewed by a consultant at a “virtual clinic” and they will send you an appointment if need to see you again. Generally they don’t.

Google for any physio exercise he should be doing.

My daughter had a similar injury recently. She was seen at the minor injuries clinic where she was given the treatment (splint) but it was referred to a fracture clinic to review the x-rays. Possibly this is because she was under 18 or maybe the type of fracture. The fracture clinic didn't see her in person just spoke to me over the phone and advised to leave the splint on for 4 weeks then see how it was. They left an open appointment in case there were any further issues.

I would recommend your son registers with a GP as soon as possible. The institution where he is studying should be able to advise him about this. Most surgeries will do a new patient health check when he registers and he could discuss his injury then and ask advice.

He needs to register with a GP. Most of the NHS hinges on you being registered with one.

Surely he can use the internet to find out what to do with a broken finger? He's not going to get very far if his mum who's based in another country has to help him navigate recovery from a very minor injury.

He has a splint on it, if the doctor didn't say to go back then he doesn't need to. Just take it off in the timeframe suggested. And use otc pain relief or ibuprofen gel for the pain. And he should register with a GP asap.

Conversely I broke my ankle, got an x-ray and boot, then a follow up a week later then a follow up and re x-ray 6 weeks later and I have another appt mid Nov so about 15 weeks after intlal break.
He may get a letter for a follow up through the post, but I'd advise registering with a GP and if he's still having issues in 4 weeks call up there

Don't let the drama queen anti-UK types worry you. The NHS has many, many problems but for the main part it is fine. There may be administration complications if your son is not registered but frankly, that's his fault, we can't blame that on the NHS. And it won't affect his bone healing. Kick his arse, get him to properly register then leave him to get on with it. Try not to worry, he'll be fine.

Those calling us “drama queens” may wish to have a read of this thread. No the NHS does not always work well. At times it is very very poor - even when a person is seriously ill.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5430232-how-long-in-a-chair-in-ae?page=2