9.45pm - too late for a docs appointment?

[parisfernandez]

My DD (4 next week) has a suspected urine infection. Shes been in pain for a couple of days but today it's been unbearable for her and she is hysterical whenever she tries to wee - to the point where she just wont do it now. Due to the bank holiday, the docs surgery is closed. I phoned nhs 24 and spoke to a lovely nurse who said she would find me an appointment at my nearest medical centre. The closest emergency one is 15 miles away (don't drive) and the first appointment is 9.45pm tonight.

I think this is really late especially for a child so young. I asked if a doctor could come out (I've no transport, I'm 8 months pregnant and DD is so uncomfortable) and was told no that's only for emergencies and people in cut off rural areas.

My brother has kindly agreed to drive 35 miles to come and pick us up and take us through but im still a bit put off going at that time of night especially on bank holiday Monday.

In the meantime, any advice on how to keep DD calm and help her calm down when she needs to wee?

Please, please take this appointment. UTIs are nasty and can cause permanent kidney damage if left untreated. This is one of those illnesses where waiting until the next day is a very bad idea. Your daughter may end up in hospital otherwise.

Please keep the appointment and I think your brother is lovely. Yes it's late but much better than a night still in pain/worsening symptoms.

I am definitely going to go because I've seen how much it's upsetting DD. I just felt they should have offered me alternatives to this appointment especially as DD is so young.

I'm guessing they will give her antibiotics and im hoping it will be cleared up in the next few days

When ds had similar, the doctor suggested running a warm bath and trying to wee in there. Sounds yuck and it was hard to convince him to do it but was much less painful. Might be worth a try before your appointment?

yes to encouraging her to wee in a warm bath

no bubbles or soap or potions in it, just plain old water

try to get her to drink lots, to dilute the urine. Ice lollies are great; can someone run to the local corner shop for you? Our Spar is open til 9pm tonight

I guess there are no alternatives

I'm glad you are taking this appointment. I expect this is the earliest appointment they could get. It has been a sunny bank holiday I imagine that there are lots of other people that need to be seen as well.

As the veteran of DD's UTIs when she was a baby, I can remember how she would go downhill very quickly. She ended up in hospital twice and had severe vomiting and temperatures of over 41 degrees.

In the grand scheme of things a late night is by far the better option than a potentially dangerous illness. She probably won't be well enough for pre-school/nursery tomorrow so a late night won't matter.

I hope she feels better soon.

I think you should be thankful there's a doctor working at that hour that is willing to treat your daughter ( for free ). I really hope she feels better soon, nasty things UTIs

I think the nhs system is fantastic and u think you're very lucky to be seen the same day and for free :)

I think nol u think!

As you have phoned nhs24, its obviously not something you think can wait till your surgery is open again so they will have you see a doctor tonight. I've seen appts for children in the middle of the night, your choice to take or not, but they won't keep earlier ones back for children etc.

You also can't expect a doctor to come out for something like that. Couldn't you have taken a taxi?

I had a vomitting 19 month old with a very high temp and a hacking constant cough, was ecstatic when after calling nhs 111 at 6.45 pm we were given an apt at 9.40 that evening.

They can only give you what is available, if you really feel she is unable to wait then you can go to a&e. I took dd1 (aged 5) to a&e with a urine infection as she collapsed in agony on the kitchen floor.

Meant to say, I hope she is on the mend now, urine infection are horrible but antinbiotics usually work quickly.

I've had 3am appointments for DS and my late DM from OOHs in the past. They have to give you what they have available I guess.