Weird advice from GP

[lenaw]

My DD got a cold - runny nose, a bit of cough, the works. No high temperature (not high fever anyway... thermometer thingy broke), but a bit restless at night and copmlained about sore throat. She is 5 so hard to get all the details.
So. I phoned for an appointmet with GP. Receptionist says I cannot get an appointment - my DD's symptoms are not serious enough, but GP will phone me bakc.
He did. Asked if she has vomiting (no), rash (no), high fever (no). Told me to come and pick up prescription for antibiotics and Calpol.
I am totally speechless. I just wanted somebody to listen to her chest to make sure she is not getting bronchitis.
Totally don't know what to do? I am not keen to give her antibiotics. Never take the stuff myself (unless nasty water infection and cranberry juice doesn't help).

He is mistaking a concerned Mum wouldn't like to rule out a chest infection with a demanding Mum who will insist that their DC gets a prescription for something, even if it's not necessary (or even effective).

I'd go and get the chest sounded out and politely refuse the prescription if I were you.

who would like to rule out - didn't get much sleep last night!

That's the thing MrsTM - I Cannot get to see him!!

Antibiotics for a cold?

I'm sorry you couldn't get an appointment when you felt you needed one, did you just get a phonecall as you insisted on being seen today by your own GP? (this is what happens in my surgery if all appts full, a GP calls to see if you are an emergency)

But tbh, if I pestered my GP everytime one of my DC had a cold I'd be in there all the time. On average a 5 yr old will have a cold once every 4-5 weeks.

Get a new thermometer, the forehead strip ones are very reasonable and treat her with tlc, calpol if temp is over 38 or she is distressed. If she has bronchitis she would have a high temp and more than a sore throat.

If the sore throat persists or gets worst call GP back.

I would ring back and suggest that the prescription of anti-biotics unseen for cold-like symptoms is against government guidelines and that you are unhappy with this course of action.

I know, I just thought they might advice something apart from Calpol... I never ususally phone GP - last time I could not get an appointment when DD had ear infection, had to take her to hospital.
I phoned at 8.30 on the dot, and you can only get appointment for today.
Oh well, go get more Calpol and some nasal spray (hehehe she doesn't know what's coming).
Guess it's just a guilt trip with me - I took her to school on Fri when she started to get a runny nose. So wanted to be a proper mum and do everything by the book...

Thanks WobblyPig, I just might - feeling vendictive.

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic at all or minimise your DD's distress.

This link here has some sensible advice on it bronchitis info as to what may help.

I hope she feels much better soon.

May I ask what nasal spray is for?

Given the symptoms you describe, I'm not surprised you didn't get an appointment. It sounds like an ordinary common cold to me.

I'm hugely surprised they'd prescribe ABs without seeing your DD though.

No probs MScarlet - I usually dismiss anything unless it's looking lethal! Guess overreacting and trying to justify our lolling about the house enjoyng unexpected day off

TBH, I would be shocked if my GP said that. Anti-biotics don't work on a cold and I thought the idea was not to give them unnecessarily. Surely he cannot diagnose a chest infection by speaking to his patient's mum on the phone.

And who is the receptionist to say that your DD's symptoms are not serious enough.

Does your practice have a Nurse Practioner you can see and get DD's chest checked before you give her antibiotics.

TBH - I'd be looking at changing practices.

I should put a mummy friendly dvd on, snuggle under a blanket and enjoy the unexpected day off.

agree with soupy.its a cold.id phone back and say no thanks to abs.

I didn't read it as you overreacting about a cold. I read it as you wanting to rule out a chest infection (I'm guessing your DD has a history of bronchitis from your OP) and your GP overreacting and offering antibiotics unnecessarily.

Ah, that's what I thought. Going try and change GP

Thanks very much everyone, should have just gone on Mumsnet starightaway without bothering to phone GP Off to put next MyLittlePony DVD on

have a duvet day.lots of cuddles etc!

PS MScarlet - I've used nasal spray for blocked nose, Vickes Sinex or something like that.