Mumsnet should intervene in "should I go to A&E" threads

[Muezza]

I think it would be a good idea for mumsnet to post on threads where the OP is asking opinions about wether to go to A&E or not with advice to seek proffessional help from 111, and a reminder that the medical knowledge of posters cannot be verified.

It always seem sthat on this type of thread you'll get posters popping up with the usual "is it an accident or an emergency?" or advising the poster that they don't need to go to hospital. I worry that this could stop somebody seeking professional help and put their health in danger, as none of us are in a position to give definate advice over the Internet. We all know how under pressure the NHS is, but some posters seem to have taken it upon themselves to be the A&E police and discourage anyone from going in some kind of warped principal.

I agree l. Personally I feel like it shows a few things. The first is peoples lack of common sense. The second is that people seem to need someone to tell them they are right for cos dieting going. Ultimately people need to use some commons sense and make a decision based on what the problem is. No one here will know and if anything it ends up filling OP’s with horror at the possibility of awful diagnoses.

I agree, personally I think the health section should be removed, there is so much bad advice given

I also agree.
If I had ever took the advice of these self appointed gate keepers I would have stayed at home and died.

I especially don't like the 'Doctor/A & E nurse here' posts. Anyone can be anything on the internet and it's pretty stupid to take their advice at face value.

At least these people are usually saying ‘go to A&E’!

Tbh do you think the sort of person who posts those posts will actually take the advice of a mumsnet mod post saying to use 111?

I agree with this. Asking for health advice on a forum where the majority of people are not doctors is just asking for trouble. It also contributes to health anxiety I think... if someone asks for advice and then someone posts a harrowing story of "their aunt who had something similar and ended up nearly dying you really should go to A&E RIGHT NOW" and it just frightens people unnecessarily.

I agree, I always hope that posts from supposed doctors/nurses aren't, as its extremely concerning and doesn't seem very ethical to be dispensing advice that might be different to medical proffessionals the OP has dealt with in real life.

No they definitely should not. In the case of infections, sepsis or pre-sepsis they should not waste time talking to people on mumsnet!
They should be immediately on the phone to 111 who will give them proper advice.
Also the GP will be following guidelines like we do for example, specific antibiotics for 48 hours then if no improvement A&E.
It also depends on co-morbidities, diabetes, is it controlled or not, do they have vascular problems and so on and so forth, all things that can add to their risk.
Even professionals have trouble making a decision sometimes and they have all the facts at their fingertips.

Anyone who asks the question about attending A&E will never take notice of a warning from MN.

The few occasions I have needed to attend A&E if has never occurred to me to post on here.

How about personal responsibility. If you are posting on Mumsnet to ask strangers, rather than on the phone to 111 or on your way to A&E, there is personal choice there

Hello @Muezza thanks for sharing your thoughts. We'd always advise that posters seek professional medical advice and there's a warning to that effect on the health boards. Many posters come to Mumsnet for reassurance, support or to find others with similar experiences. We also find that on threads of this nature, the OP will usually be told to seek medical attention by other posters pretty early on. (Mumsnetters, for the most part, are a level-headed bunch!)

If you see a thread like this, remember you can report it to us. We're always happy to post on there or contact the OP off the boards.