WTAF? Just called 111

[OneMoreCookieMonster]

Firstly, I am 100% not one of those super low hovering helicopter parents.

Just had to call 111 for my 9yr old. He has a sudden fast spreading rash along with other symptoms.

I gave details to the 111 call handler, and then confirmed everything 6 x as you do. Before I could even give a reason for calling she asked to speak to my kid. Alright, fine, thinking they wanted to verify who I was calling about. The handler then proceeded to ask my son why I was calling! He was asked the questions and was so confused. I had to remind him to say hello!

In a way, I think it's a great learning experience being able to describe how you're feeling etc. But at the same time, I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it.

I did end up finishing the call off as we were told to take him in. H is now enroute to the hospital.

Just wanted to know has anyone else had this? When did it become a thing?

Yeah that's odd if they didn't even speak to you first!
I had to ring 111 for my 18 yr old recently. Horrid throat and mouth infection. I gave all the details etc and then the 111 guy asked to speak to her. Well she could barely speak and wasn't eating or drinking, so she did her best and then handed the phone back to me 😂
She felt so crap that she just kept shrugging her shoulders at him which he obviously couldn't see through the phone!!! Sent to A&E and given IV antibiotics.
I think they're obviously just following a script and a protocol largely.

All of you nay sayers-

They are the trained ones. You don't know what they are assessing as they speak to the child.

Hoax calls happen ALL THE TIME!! Speaking to the child ensures that the call is genuine and not just a hoax.

Do people moan on SM about how you do YOUR job?!

I am debating it. It's not sitting completely right or comfortably with me. H doesn't think it's an issue as clearly there wasn't any illness or trauma. It was the speed of the rash and how it presented which was a concern initially. Also, he is at the age where he needs to start having (monitored & age appropriate) independence and some responsibility for his health and hygiene.

He's a (luckily) very robust and healthy kid. Takes everything in his stride and rarely ever complains or moans. Rarely ever ill. And has only ever had 2 illness related absences from school. Which means when he says he's unwell or something's wrong we know something is definitely up. In case anyone is wondering why we called 111 for a rash.

Nothing was missed as she did speak to me afterwards. She asked me to confirm a question she asked him and then said he needed to seen within 6 hrs.

My complaint/feedback- however I word it seems hollow and miniscule in comparison to other real issues and just another bit of admin that the NHS doesn't need or have the man power for. And, realistically if I heard anything back it would be just be paying lip service with a template email.

So glad your boy is OK, @OneMoreCookieMonster. What a worry for you x

No need to shout

If it is part of the job the training script can include a 30 second blurb of why the adult calller needs to hand the call over to a child

Totally different, but the 999 call handler asked to speak to me when DH called on my behalf. I managed about a sentence, and got "ok, ambulance is on its way, hand to phone back to your husband".
Ambulance took 6 mins to arrive. DS took 7 mins to arrive. I'm pretty certain from speaking to me we got prioritized.

111 have just asked if our 8 MONTH old knows where he is...what? No, he's an infant! Ridiculous question.

I think the questioners sometimes need to have a bit more flexibility on their script, but it's not that absurd - your 10 month behaving like they're feeling safe and happy in their location even though miserable (though I'd probably ask more about "are they behaving like they recognise you and are comforted by you) Vs being completely disoriented and wild-eyed are recognisable different brain states.

Unless you mean they wanted to question a baby directly, in which case obviously that is silly.