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Children's health

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Original poster

GP wants baby to have covid test before she'll see him

66 replies

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:32

DS is on day 5 of vomiting bug. Very lethargic. Signs of dehydration. Also has a cough. GP refusing to see him without a covid test first. Is this normal??

OP posts:
GayPareeee · 02/05/2023 11:11

I don't understand all the naysayers, those symptoms could easily be caused by Covid, so it helps rule it in/out. There seems to be more GI symptoms with this latest variant.

Cooknook · 02/05/2023 11:15

Probably don't want all of the GPs to be off with it- I don't mean isolating but poorly. If they can minimise the risk then fair enough, there is a nasty bout going around.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:16

@Cooknook @GayPareeee so what would happen if my baby does have covid then? GP just not see them? 🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:18

Got through. Waiting on her to ring me back. Deep breaths

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AlltheFs · 02/05/2023 11:18

It is not normal!

My DD has had a horrendous cough with fever and saw GP twice (diff ones) in the last few weeks and did not need a Covid test first (she was diagnosed with chest infection and is suspected to have asthma as it’s recurring).

We have a stash of tests still and we do test ourselves and DD still because we have a vulnerable family member that needs a heart op. But we have not been asked to do so by any medical staff or our nursery for absolutely ages.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:20

She rang back. Appt at 12. Said she'll come out to the car. I don't care as long as he's seen but surely she could have just done that in the first place ffs

OP posts:
PerryMenno · 02/05/2023 11:21

Pffff when she rings just tell her you did a test and it's negative. Like it probably would be anyway, either way, because nobody wants to stick a swab that far up a stick baby's nostril.

Ridiculous demand.

PerryMenno · 02/05/2023 11:22

Oh we cross posted - I'm glad you got your appointment.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/05/2023 11:23

I don't understand this at all when hospitals don't even make you wear masks now.

Personally I'd like everyone to test still BUT the guidelines are don't test so why are GPs insisting on it?

EmmaEmerald · 02/05/2023 11:23

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:20

She rang back. Appt at 12. Said she'll come out to the car. I don't care as long as he's seen but surely she could have just done that in the first place ffs

Sounds mad
I don't know what the NHS rules are atm.

TinaYouFatLard · 02/05/2023 11:23

Will this madness ever end? A 12 month old baby not well and a doctor will look at him in the car park?? Insanity has a firm grip.

Snoken · 02/05/2023 11:25

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:16

@Cooknook @GayPareeee so what would happen if my baby does have covid then? GP just not see them? 🤔

Well I think that's the thing. If it is covid there isn't much they can do unless the child is so weak they have to be hospitalised. If it's bacterial/parasite they can prescribe things but to know they first need to rule out covid.

EmmaEmerald · 02/05/2023 11:25

TinaYouFatLard · 02/05/2023 11:23

Will this madness ever end? A 12 month old baby not well and a doctor will look at him in the car park?? Insanity has a firm grip.

Yep.
I'm old enough to remember when you'd see a doctor because you might have a communicable disease

not that you'd not be able to see one in case you had it!

Whatt · 02/05/2023 11:26

I know its unreasonable but I would lie and say the test is negative and not even do one.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:27

@Snoken regardless my baby needs seen face to face. I wouldn't be accepting any less. Could I have chest or throat infection secondary to covid

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Sugarfree23 · 02/05/2023 11:29

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:16

@Cooknook @GayPareeee so what would happen if my baby does have covid then? GP just not see them? 🤔

Just a guess,
I'd think the GP would take extra precautions, mask, gloves, apron, bring you into the surgery via a different door so you aren't near other patients.

Make sure the room is properly cleaned before the next patient.
Things like his stethoscope make sure it's properly sterilised before the next patient not just a quick wipe.

Lots of small things to make it as safe as possible for both staff and other patients. It's not a case of they won't treat the baby.

Choconuttolata · 02/05/2023 11:29

They need to check his blood sugar if he is lethargic and if he is not keeping down fluids or milk it could be low. Make sure they check with their blood glucose machine while you are there.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:30

@Sugarfree23 she's seeing him in the car park. surely she could have done this in the first place

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AlltheFs · 02/05/2023 11:31

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:20

She rang back. Appt at 12. Said she'll come out to the car. I don't care as long as he's seen but surely she could have just done that in the first place ffs

After your appointment make a complaint to the surgery and copy in your MP. It’s not acceptable and not within current guidelines, they are taking the piss.

Sugarfree23 · 02/05/2023 11:33

I never noticed your post, seeing LO in the car. I can see a logic to that.

I was barrier nursed before when ill with flu, they were scared of it spreading, so the monitoring equipment they used on me never left my room to avoid the risk of it carrying the infection to other people.

justgettingthroughtheday · 02/05/2023 11:33

@Sugarfree23 they are all things that they should be doing anyway!
Covid isn't the only infectious illness in the world that the little one could have!
It is utterly ridiculous to be testing like this now. People seriously need to get a grip!
I'm afraid I would be making a formal complaint against both the GP and the practice for this

Stressedafff · 02/05/2023 11:37

They need to get a grip.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/05/2023 11:39

Our surgery has instructions if you have suspected covid-separate entrance and you can't wait in the waiting room. They need to have something in place,they've had long enough to sort something out.

YearoftheRabbit23 · 02/05/2023 11:40

Don't you want to know if your baby might have covid? Given all the long-term health implications it can cause, I'd want to keep track of the number of times they'd had it, so I can signal it to doctors in future if necessary (obviously hopefully your baby will be fine, but it's good to know).

Also your GP might want to know for diagnostic reasons, not just because they are (rightly) concerned they might be exposed.'

It's perfectly fine to do a cheek swab (try back of throat too). It's not that hard.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 11:43

@YearoftheRabbit23 no I don't want to know if my baby has covid, catch yourself on

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