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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The more vulnerable a person is, the more deprivation they face, the fewer options they have for help and the more likely they are to go to A&E
"
Which is actually a good point |
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"The more vulnerable a person is, the more deprivation they face, the fewer options they have for help and the more likely they are to go to A&E
"
I agree and more and more people are becoming vulnerable. Currently in our area it's almost impossible to get through to the surgery, 111 is frequently busy with a long wait time. Faced with a situation which previously could have been dealt with by either of those options, isn't actually life threatening but could escalate and nobody nearby knows how to deal with... what's the next option? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery |
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"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery "
My son was turned away from A&E after being assaulted, punched and kicked in the face. He was told "what do you think we can do about it [your broken nose]?” He went back to a different A&E the next day, where they actually x-rayed his head and found he had a broken cheekbone and eye socket too. They also scanned his head because he'd been kicked in the head. Fortunately no damage but I was absolutely livid that he'd been turned away the first time (it was about 11pm on a Thursday). |
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By *ssex_tom OP Man
over a year ago
Chelmsford |
"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery
My son was turned away from A&E after being assaulted, punched and kicked in the face. He was told "what do you think we can do about it [your broken nose]?” He went back to a different A&E the next day, where they actually x-rayed his head and found he had a broken cheekbone and eye socket too. They also scanned his head because he'd been kicked in the head. Fortunately no damage but I was absolutely livid that he'd been turned away the first time (it was about 11pm on a Thursday). "
Scandalous |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'd love to know more about both those examples because they are both absolutely not suitable for sending away, though a cat bite might be suitable for redirection to a minor injuries unit. A cat bite often needs antibiotics and a head injury needs a full assessment, not just triage, especially - and I'm not saying that was the case here - if alcohol is on board. I wonder if the person sending away was actually a clinician rather than a receptionist.
There is a great deal of work around how people use A&E. Often sadly people use it for an alternative pathway to GP or because they can't get a specialist review.
A&E is not the same as GP. It is not designed to manage chronic (ie long-standing) problems but more manage acute consequences like a flare of severe pain. Many people use it as a one-stop shop for all their health needs, especially as it is open 24/7, unlike Out patients or General practice.
I could rant on about this for some time..... Sorry! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I complained but there is no real point, nothing gets sorted.
Hubby has stopped going to the GP because they won't put the meds he needs on repeat even though they tell him its sorted. |
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I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp |
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By *good-being-badMan
over a year ago
mis-types and auto corrects leads cock leeds |
"Appay 1% of the population make up 16% of the A and E visits...
Staggering. What does that ?
It's all over the news this one"
I'm surprised its not a higher %tage taking up more A&E visits.. with a very elderly population its to be expected.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp"
Hubby has Fibromyalgia, FND and meniscus tears and he has to phone up every month, the GP has said meds are on repeat but when he goes to get them they say there's nothing there, he even complained and they fobbed him off, he hasn't had his meds for months |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery "
Sorry to hear about the Cat bite and infection,and I hope your hand has recovered, however Minor Injuries would have been more appropriate in my opinion. Not A&E |
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"I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp
Hubby has Fibromyalgia, FND and meniscus tears and he has to phone up every month, the GP has said meds are on repeat but when he goes to get them they say there's nothing there, he even complained and they fobbed him off, he hasn't had his meds for months "
That's definitely crap. I mean my gp I horrendous but I still had no need to go to a gp when I collapsed in chest pains and my gp couldn't do a broken bone. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery
Sorry to hear about the Cat bite and infection,and I hope your hand has recovered, however Minor Injuries would have been more appropriate in my opinion. Not A&E"
Minor injuries was closed, it's still a bit painful but the wound has healed. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp"
Your chest pain could be this....
Costochondritis?
Extremely painful!!, can easily feel like a heart attack for sure.
Might be worth reading up about it. Chest stretching and deep breathing, along with pain relief and heat (hot water bottle /wheatbag).
Can be very beneficial. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Again, we would never turn anyone away with chest pain, whatever the cause. Too many bad things!
But as you allude to, part of the problem is lack of viable alternatives. No-one wants to sit in a crowded, scary A&E, but what are the alternatives if you have an actual emergency?
That said, if you've had knee pain for 3 months and it's not getting worse, A&E can't speed up your scan / referral. |
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Some of my mother's hospital visits could have been dealt with by a same day visit from her GP. If you use the health service regularly it becomes increasingly difficult to know or understand what you should do in a non life threatening emergency. |
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"I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp
Your chest pain could be this....
Costochondritis?
Extremely painful!!, can easily feel like a heart attack for sure.
Might be worth reading up about it. Chest stretching and deep breathing, along with pain relief and heat (hot water bottle /wheatbag).
Can be very beneficial. "
They think it was a chest infection. Infection markers where sky high but uts happened multiple times so idk |
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"I've been three times this year, once for a broken foot because my closest urgent care is further than a&e and twice for chest pains where they thought I was having a heart attack and they don't know what it is so definitely needed a&e not my gp
Your chest pain could be this....
Costochondritis?
Extremely painful!!, can easily feel like a heart attack for sure.
Might be worth reading up about it. Chest stretching and deep breathing, along with pain relief and heat (hot water bottle /wheatbag).
Can be very beneficial. "
I've had intercostal muscle spasm and I literally felt like I was dieing. It was like someone put a belt around my chest and tightened it as hard as they could and it hurt all the way around my diaphragm into my back. It was so painful and scary finding it hard to breathe.
I've also had pericarditis which feels very unnerving as the pain is literally in your heart and you can feel the pain throb as it beats.
Fortunately both were fairly harmless and just require pain relief. Definitely better to be safe than sorry with chest pain though. |
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A and E is the last line. The place that can't shut its doors. I think the report is quite clear that stats are a lot to do with numerous failing elsewhere, in public health (physical and mental), social care and our society ability to provide a fair standard of life for all. Some will use the figures to have a snide finger point at some sections of our society and the rest of us can say its clear things are broken and need fixing. |
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"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery "
A cat bite is not an emergency. You could have treated that at home. |
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"I'd love to know more about both those examples because they are both absolutely not suitable for sending away, though a cat bite might be suitable for redirection to a minor injuries unit. A cat bite often needs antibiotics and a head injury needs a full assessment, not just triage, especially - and I'm not saying that was the case here - if alcohol is on board. I wonder if the person sending away was actually a clinician rather than a receptionist.
There is a great deal of work around how people use A&E. Often sadly people use it for an alternative pathway to GP or because they can't get a specialist review.
A&E is not the same as GP. It is not designed to manage chronic (ie long-standing) problems but more manage acute consequences like a flare of severe pain. Many people use it as a one-stop shop for all their health needs, especially as it is open 24/7, unlike Out patients or General practice.
I could rant on about this for some time..... Sorry!"
No alcohol involved at all. He was travelling on a bus to meet his girlfriend after work and assaulted on the top deck at about 8pm. He was sent away by a triage person. Unclear whether the person in the triage room was a nurse or other type of HCP.
The span of time between the assault and the A&E trip was me trying to find him and us trying to get help from the Police (also pretty fruitless). It's a large Greater Manchester A&E unit within a teaching hospital.
Thanks to my son's tenacity and effort, the miscreant was finally apprehended and sentenced to.......a supervision order. My son has not recovered fully mentally from the experience though. |
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"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery
A cat bite is not an emergency. You could have treated that at home."
It is. Massive infection risk from such a bite. Also possibly requires a tetanus injection.
From an NHS leaflet on animal bites (note the bit about a nurse cleaning the wound)
"Dog and cat bites
Introduction
This leaflet provides information about what you should do
following a dog or a cat bite and provides advice for those who
have been treated in the Emergency Department following an
animal bite.
About 200,000 dog bites happen each year in the United
Kingdom. Cat bites are less common.
Getting help
Animal and human bites can become infected if they are not
assessed and treated promptly. Animals have bacteria in their
mouths that can cause an infection if your skin is broken (cut or
scratched) when you are bitten. Therefore, you should always
seek medical advice unless the wound is very minor.
Wounds that are large, deep or dirty are best cleaned by a
nurse. Minor bites and scratches should be rinsed under a cold
water tap.
If you need to attend hospital a clean damp towel or cling film is
a suitable temporary dressing."
Bearing in mind it's a two week wait to see any kind of professional at my GP, waiting for their nurses would potentially include needing to be blue-lighted with sepsis, because any infection would be well established by the time they got round to an appointment.
An animal bite is an emergency. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Last time I visited A and E was after getting attacked by a shark while swimming in the sea at Southend...."
For God's sake don't tell To......oh, hold on......
Winston |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A lot of the time A+E is the only option. A lot of minor injuries units/ walk ins have been closed down, people can't get an appointment with their GP so they don't go and then problems get to the point of needing urgent care. My friend had to take her baby to A+E after consistently getting told by the GP to ride out his breathing problems which turned in to bronchitis. |
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I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Appay 1% of the population make up 16% of the A and E visits...
Staggering. What does that ?
It's all over the news this one"
80% of the budget is spent on 10% of the population. |
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"A lot of the time A+E is the only option. A lot of minor injuries units/ walk ins have been closed down, people can't get an appointment with their GP so they don't go and then problems get to the point of needing urgent care. My friend had to take her baby to A+E after consistently getting told by the GP to ride out his breathing problems which turned in to bronchitis. "
My son was admitted with severe bronchiolitis in 2002, same thing. I've not forgotten the GP "it's just a little sniffle." He had to be fed with a tube down his throat. Unfortunately, this sort of thing is not new. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there "
We live in one of the largest towns in England. We don't have a walk in centre. It was closed down in the years before COVID. Out of hours GP appointments via 111 are as difficult to acquire as day to day GP appointments. My approach nowadays is to ignore problems until something really significant happens, like my right (non disabled) leg starting to suffer issues. Even then, I'm waiting nearly 3wks for the appointment from the point of calling. Good job I'm used to pain and have a wheelchair and crutches already! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Appay 1% of the population make up 16% of the A and E visits...
Staggering. What does that ?
It's all over the news this one
80% of the budget is spent on 10% of the population. "
There are certain trends in society that are driving up demand for services. It will likely only get worse. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there "
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111? |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111? "
3 times in the last 18 months |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months "
How was your experience? I've found it varies |
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"Basically If you're not struggling to breath, are not bleeding profusely and are not in extreme pain anywhere you don't need A and E, you need to book an appointment with a GP."
Again, incorrect. For example, someone having a mental health crisis will find that A&E is the only route to see the crisis team (it is here anyway). You can have broken bones that need addressing with minimal pain and all manner of other issues.
It's not a good reason to go to A&E when you don't need to, but I can understand why some people don't wait for the 3wks for their GP. |
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"Basically If you're not struggling to breath, are not bleeding profusely and are not in extreme pain anywhere you don't need A and E, you need to book an appointment with a GP."
Broken bones also require emergency treatment, convulsions in children, stroke symptoms, very high temperature in children, certain mental health problems... |
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A young lady we knew died from meningitis at the age of 16. Her parents were "reassured" by distance medical advice, such as 111, that she was not in need of emergency treatment because her only symptoms were vomiting and a headache, until she collapsed. From first symptom to death was about 24hrs. She had life threatening illness but it didn't sound like it to describe the symptoms. A&E would have been the best place for her, because the bacteria in her bloodstream might have been detected with the sorts of tests they can offer and IV antibiotics. |
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I was never away from A&E as a kid as I was a bit adventurous and as I got older playing sports I had a good few visits. Not been for a good lot of years and I put that down to being less active and more likely to visit the GP. I hope it stays that way. It’s no fun at A&E as it always involves painful injuries which is not a choice. Whoever uses it we should be glad it’s there |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery
A cat bite is not an emergency. You could have treated that at home."
Cat bites can be fatal if they cause cellulitis or septicemia, and it sounds like poster had cellulitis with the swollen hand. I wouldn't hesitate to visit A&E with cellulitis if it was a weekend and no minor injuries open. Shocked they turned you away tbh. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies "
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed) |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)"
That's great  |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)"
Meanwhile, in the land time forgot: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/accident-emergency-waiting-breaches-nhs-22015583
Sadly, there seems to be a massive postcode lottery across the UK. |
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I got knocked off my bike 5 weeks ago and was in agony down right side 9 hours in Portsmouth a and e. After an xray I was told broken ribs and nothing they could do.
3 days later the pain in my arm was excruciating so back I went....... Only the 5 hours that time and out with a pot on my arm very much fractured!
I can't blame the staff they work so hard and are real heroes in my eyes the crap I saw and what they have to deal with is shocking beyond belief. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I was turned away from A&E a few weeks ago after a cat bite which became infected and led to my hand becoming extremely swollen, had to wait a couple of days to see the nurse at the GP surgery
A cat bite is not an emergency. You could have treated that at home.
Cat bites can be fatal if they cause cellulitis or septicemia, and it sounds like poster had cellulitis with the swollen hand. I wouldn't hesitate to visit A&E with cellulitis if it was a weekend and no minor injuries open. Shocked they turned you away tbh. "
The nurse at the GP surgery told me I was very lucky and was not very happy with the hospital, I was called by the hospital by someone in management who couldn't apologise enough and asked if I wanted to take the matter further which she would support, I told her no I just wanted the staff on the door to be mindful. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)
Meanwhile, in the land time forgot: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/accident-emergency-waiting-breaches-nhs-22015583
Sadly, there seems to be a massive postcode lottery across the UK. "
Thst is affecting A&Es across the country not just a manchester problem. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)
Meanwhile, in the land time forgot: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/accident-emergency-waiting-breaches-nhs-22015583
Sadly, there seems to be a massive postcode lottery across the UK.
Thst is affecting A&Es across the country not just a manchester problem. "
Hence why I referred to a postcard lottery across the UK.
The service you describe from 111 in your area simply doesn't exist in this area and I'm sure many other parts of the UK experience the same. |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)
Meanwhile, in the land time forgot: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/accident-emergency-waiting-breaches-nhs-22015583
Sadly, there seems to be a massive postcode lottery across the UK.
Thst is affecting A&Es across the country not just a manchester problem.
Hence why I referred to a postcard lottery across the UK.
The service you describe from 111 in your area simply doesn't exist in this area and I'm sure many other parts of the UK experience the same."
Yeah that's not my experience of 111 either or GP surgery or a and e. I don't know if we're hearing about the bad stuff rather than the good stuff and my friends and family have been particularly unlucky. However if the whole country is in a similar situation to what we know of this area it's very, very frightening for anyone who gets ill or has a long term health condition and I can only admire and feel sorry for front line health care professionals. |
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Why do people go to A&E inappropriately?
From the sister GP practice to mine today:
"[Name redacted] Surgery would like to apologise to any of our patients who may have contacted the surgery and have been informed that we have no appointments available. Unfortunately we have had GP’s call in sick at short notice and this has impacted on the number of appointments available.
We have where possible tried to offer an alternative such as attending a local pharmacy, walk in centre, offered appointments with the extended hours service or asked patients to complete our online consult. If a patient felt it could not wait they have been seen.
We appreciate your understanding at this time and ask that if it can wait please use our online consultation form so that we can look at booking patients in next week when we have more availability." |
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By *ssex_tom OP Man
over a year ago
Chelmsford |
"Why do people go to A&E inappropriately?
From the sister GP practice to mine today:
"[Name redacted] Surgery would like to apologise to any of our patients who may have contacted the surgery and have been informed that we have no appointments available. Unfortunately we have had GP’s call in sick at short notice and this has impacted on the number of appointments available.
We have where possible tried to offer an alternative such as attending a local pharmacy, walk in centre, offered appointments with the extended hours service or asked patients to complete our online consult. If a patient felt it could not wait they have been seen.
We appreciate your understanding at this time and ask that if it can wait please use our online consultation form so that we can look at booking patients in next week when we have more availability.""
Those GP people are over run... Good money but they are so so busy |
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"I’ve never voluntarily walked into a&e. The odd time needed emergency care I’ve called 111 first they did the triage and assessed the best place to be, which was a&e. However go to their walk in clinic with an appointment who do a visual assessment, plus interim pain meds if needed, then checked into a&e from there
Out of interest when was the last time you needed to call 111?
3 times in the last 18 months
How was your experience? I've found it varies
I can’t fault 111, this last year or previous times we’ve had to use it. A few times middle of the night consultations have resulted in a trip to a&e who were expecting us. Previous to that when it was difficult to see GP (you had to know you’d be ill in ten days time) they got us booked into a walk in clinic within the hour.
Even with everything going on this last year, I can’t fault the medical services here, if anything they’ve improved, especially GP service, now get a telephone consultation and seen same day (if needed)"
Personally I have also had terrible experiences with 111. When I had pneumonia my housemates called them because they were worried and I was told to make a routine GP appointment despite coughing up blood and solid mucus. The GP surgery on the other hand, despite us phoning late afternoon I was asked to come in immediately. This was at a surgery it was difficult to get an appointment at. A GP stayed late specifically to see me because they classed me as an emergency.
I'm also personally a fan of the new system implemented due to Covid. You fill in an e-consult which is reviewed by a GP then they phone you if needed and book you in to be seen face to face only if necessary. Many things don't require a face to face appointment and some things don't even require speaking to the doctor. Many people are outraged about it but I personally think that being seen face to face when it isn't necessary wastes a lot of GP time. As someone with a few chronic conditions I often only need things tweaking or referral for repeat tests and in the past I wasted many hours waiting in GP surgery waiting rooms for an appointment where they didn't touch me once. Even in the early days it was just a conversation and a referral. It's been a lot easier to manage with work this way. I know lots of people aren't a fan of telephone appointments, I used to feel the same but you do get used to it and in my job we have even been using WhatsApp video calls which has been working great. Obviously there are some people for who this isn't suitable such as my deaf as a door post nan and these people should of course be offered a face to face appointment instead. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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This statistic applies not only to A&E but also to emergency services. Not the exact number but quite a high percentage of emergency calls are from the same individuals who are vulnerable in some way. There are initiative here to help reduce this where all the services have meetings comparing regular callers to see what can be put in place to help them. |
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