What would you do?

[needmorecoffee]

If you thought your child had a chest infection at a weekend, and A&E is 7 miles away and you don't have a car. You can't get on a bus or use a taxi cos dd is in a wheelchair.
Would you call 999 or insist a doc came out?

how old is your child?

i'd call nhs direct for advice i think.

Get the doc out to you... do you know a number to ring?

she's nearly 4. Had a GA yesterday so we were expected some chestiness (she can't cough like normal people) but is worse today.

if I thought my child needed to be seen I would call the out of hours doc service and ask for a home visit

Ask for a home visit or if under 1 and seems acute A and E by ambulance. Surely you can ask for a taxi to accommodate a wheelchair?

I often call 30 taxi companies to find a wheelchair one and thats during the week!!! Weekend no chance at all

oh dear, you're really worrying, aren't you, nmc? I vote ring NHS-direct, too.

caled NHS Direct and as soon as they heard Cerebral palsy, they said what they always say....take her to A&E.
Sigh.
DH thinks I'm over-fretting.

Can a neighbour take you ? Does she have to stay in wheelchair in a taxi ?

no neighbours with WAV cars. Its very hard to hold a floppy child in a car (and very illegal) as no car seat is suitable for her severe disability.
We never get offered lifts anywhere either cos of dd!

out of hours doctor - although very likely they will conveniently hear 'chest pain/difficulty in breathing' which allows them to insist on an ambulance in case it is a heart attack, however often and loudly you say 'chest infection'!

you also have to consider what the doctor will do - doubtless prescribe antibiotics, and you will then need to get the prescription filled somehow, presumably very difficult given your situation

i would call doctor, if they want to get an ambulace to take you to hospital then they can. but do it sooner rather than later just in case, before A&E fills up with saturday night drunks and overdoses

nmc - I would call out of hours doc. If they can't/won't get to you then they can call the ambulance. If they come though can you get to a chemist? If not you may as well go to the hossie anyway.

Hope she's better soon.

999 is inappropriate imo unless she is very unwell/urgently needs assesssed. If you have no transport then surely ooh/nhs24 should after an explanation arrange a non-urgent ambulance or send a Dr out. I work in OOH in my local area and thats what we rountinely do...no major hassle. I would call ooh/nhs 24 and expain situation. Do you think she will need admitted?

hope not. She'll catch something else
She managed a cough earlier so hopefully she'll clear her lungs.

How's dd today nmc?