Re: posts in the health section

[3littlefrogs]

Yet again, I have just come across a thread about a baby with really serious symptoms - followed by some good advice, but it scares me that some people will wait to have a long conversation on MN rather than go straight to A&E with a child with symptoms of serious illness.

Would it be possible to put a big notice on either the home page or the health section with a list of the symptoms of meningitis with advice to get medical help - Dr or A&E NOW, rather than spend time posting requests for opinions and advice??

i agree, actually, a notice saying the health board is not for use in emergencies would be good!!

i can understand it if it is something minor, my baby seems a little off colour, but topics like my baby swallowed some bleach should i go to a&e make me want to scream WHAT ARE YOU DOING HEEEEEEEEERE

Surely what's happening with things like that is that the poster doesn't realise the symptoms are serious? In which case maybe it's better to post on mumsnet than to be off doing the washing up, at least then someone else might say they disagree & to see a doc!

I don't agree becuase alot of the time a poster will be told almost straight away to go to A&E whereas they may not have done if they hadn't posted also not everyone reads the homepage.

I agree though that a box in the health section would be a good idea. Maybe with a link to the NHS direct website??

Tha't right ledodgy. Some people might not know the symptoms to serious illnesses

I agree - but that is why I think a list of symptoms that are really serious - like:
low temp in a baby, blue lips, mottled skin or rash that doesn't fade under pressure (tumbler test) floppiness for example would be useful - the op would see the list - which could be compiled by NHS direct - and not hang around for a reply. Last night's poster kept posting, asking for a response from a doctor or nurse - there is no guarantee that there will be a swift reply.

These days it is nearly impossible to access a doctor or NHS direct out of hours.

It's a good idea - I'll flag it up to J & C.

It's a good idea - I'll flag it up to J & C.

there was abrief spell when you had something on the feeling depressed board but it disappeared again?

X posts - was agreeing with lorloveaduck

Also when ds had a bad chest we took him to the drs as he was breathing quickly and his chest was sinking up and down. The dr sent us away with antibiotics but he was still the same when he got home so we took him straight to A&E where he was kept in overnight given introvenous medicine and oxygen. If I hadn't have read on a previous emergency type thread on MN that a sinking chest was the sign of something serious I would have just thought the dr was right and not taken him to A&E....

i definitely agree , although i did turn to mumsnet when DD fell and hit her head recently, out of hours docs, no reply, NHS direct, had to hang on 20 minutes to get through , but a list of serious , don't post here, get to a&e symptoms is definitely a good idea