Covid and 111

[Meowmeow202027]

My dh has had a cough for 5ish days now
He had a negative covid test on the 14th.
Today his breathing has been worrying breathless and his neck is sucking in quite tightly. He called 111 and he got told to do another covid test and look on the website for selfcare tips. Surely thats not right?
He sounds terrible too

If he feels like he needs medical assistance to breath then you should take him to A&E. they will do a covid test there if they think he needs to be admitted and will put him on an appropriate ward.

I hope he feels better soon x

My local a&e wont take walk ins only though 111 or 999 unfortunately

Well the advice doesn't sound unreasonable. But you can always call back if you have any new information.

@MajesticWhine

Well the advice doesn't sound unreasonable. But you can always call back if you have any new information.

So considering hes already had a negative test a few days ago its ok to ask him to take another ( which btw it didn't even let us book one ) when hes got breathing problems and a cough?

If you can't go to a and e you'll either have to call an ambulance or wait until tomorrow for the GP, depending how worried you are.

Surely if someone turns up to A&E in respiratory distress, they can't turn them away? It doesn't sound correct that A&E won't see anyone unless advised to do so by 111 or 999. What if you broke an arm?

There is 30% chance of PCR being a false negative. Whether CoVid or not, take him to A&E.

Take him to A&E. NHS111 are being ridiculous and probably following a script. Surely they cannot send him away if he’s having trouble breathing?!

How old is he?

@testingtesting321

How old is he?

29

@Haenow

Take him to A&E. NHS111 are being ridiculous and probably following a script. Surely they cannot send him away if he’s having trouble breathing?!

111 told us you cant go into a&e without going through them first. Im currently waiting for 111 to pick up again as hes really bad.

111 drop the ball focusing on covid refused to treat my daughter for a chest infection until she had a negative test by this time she needed steroids too as she is a fucking asthmatic it wouldn't have killed them to prescribe antibiotics ridiculous part was even AFTER the negative test they were fannying around about prescribing her anything and the one hcp said we should assume she has covid (despite the negative test) isolate the household until her cough goes away (fucking never she has asthma) i took the phone at this point and said fine can we have antibiotics to treat the chest infection or shall I just ring an ambulance in a couple of days time when she can't actually breathe? Another doctor rang us back and gave us a prescription for antibiotics and steroids

My son swallowed a plastic toy they had FOUR different announcements about not calling for covid symptoms from a robot three different sets of covid related questions a HCP who focuses on his wheeze that he has had for years and finally a nurse who said its not metal its fine check his poop for 48 hours

111 are giving you wrong advice. You can absolutely turn up at A&E without an appointment if you are having an emergency, they are just trying to spread out those that will be managed in ‘minors’ so that the waiting rooms don’t fill up.
If he cannot breathe and is in need of urgent medical attention then take him to A&E, they will not turn you away. Then make a complaint about the nonsense (and frankly dangerous) advice you have been given by 111.