I'm really angry. Should I complain?

Person_one

KxMx wrote: »

Yes you probably should have gone to A&E first- but I think it's terrible that the duty Dr (who was free at the time) didn't at least come out and have a look, even if when the receptionist told him he knew he wouldn't be able to help.

Sorry, but how do we know the doctor was free?

KxMx

Person_one wrote: »

Sorry, but how do we know the doctor was free?

From the OP:

silly_moo wrote: »

Is it not reasonable to expect that someone should be able to just take a quick look at a BABY to make sure there's nothing seriously wrong? How can a duty doctor just sit in his/her office and tell you to go to the hospital 20 min away even though he/she wasn't seeing any patients?

Duty Drs are still there for situations that crop up... I've had sick children put in front of me before at the GP Surgery which I was of course fine about and there can't be that many hard-hearted folk who would resent the Dr taking a couple mins out to check on a baby...


I'm shocked at how many posters think the lack of compassion was fine, would they think the same if they were in OP's shoes and it was their screaming, bleeding baby a Dr wouldn't even look at (in right or wrong place).


My own GP surgery is utter rubbish and the issue I am going in about tomorrow is the last straw, if I am treated badly again I am changing.

Cherry_Bomb

Might also be worth looking up your local minor injuries unit just for future reference.

sulkisu

silly_moo wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies.



I think this situation has given me the final push to enrol into a first aid course. I will also be putting the NHS 24 and the local taxis numbers on my mobile so I can call them quickly should anything happen.

Absolutely - as should every parent (especially those with young children, without transport or living in remote areas), along with maintaining a basic first aid kit.

Person_one

KxMx wrote: »

From the OP:



Duty Drs are still there for situations that crop up... I've had sick children put in front of me before at the GP Surgery which I was of course fine about and there can't be that many hard-hearted folk who would resent the Dr taking a couple mins out to check on a baby...

I don't really see how the OP can know that for sure either, unless the receptionist told her explicitly what he was doing.

KxMx

fluffnutter wrote: »

Why are you going to the 'nearest medical practice'? Did you really just pitch up at some random GP's surgery (that you're obviously not registered at) and think this was the most appropriate thing to do? Why? GPs don't fix bleeding cuts - that's either a DIY job, or for the A&E department. And even if they did, you need to see your own, not someone else's!

If you're going to be critical then get the facts correct:

silly_moo wrote: »

Yes, it was my own GP surgery. And it wasn't my decision to take him to the wrong place - I was totally panicked as I have never been in my life and wasn't making rational decisions. I hope you are never in a situation where you are panicked, scared, have a screaming baby and the people who trained for situations like this don't even want to see if they could help.

fluffnutter

KxMx wrote: »

From the OP:



Duty Drs are still there for situations that crop up... I've had sick children put in front of me before at the GP Surgery which I was of course fine about and there can't be that many hard-hearted folk who would resent the Dr taking a couple mins out to check on a baby...


I'm shocked at how many posters think the lack of compassion was fine, would they think the same if they were in OP's shoes and it was their screaming, bleeding baby a Dr wouldn't even look at (in right or wrong place).


My own GP surgery is utter rubbish and the issue I am going in about tomorrow is the last straw, if I am treated badly again I am changing.

There is absolutely nothing in your quote to suggest the doctor was free. How did they know it was a 'duty doctor'? What does this even mean? It wasn't the OP's practice. I think it's presumptuous to assume that there's some doctor sat around waiting for random unregistered people to wander in with injured babies. It's not a minor injuries unit, or A&E. It was a medical practice. I wouldn't expect my own GP to look at my baby's bleeding foot, let alone someone else's GP.

silly_moo

fluffnutter wrote: »

There's so much information out there. Every pharmacy you walk into, every doctor's surgery you visit, every hospital has the colour-coded (it's shaped like a thermometer) poster on the wall telling you what to do for what type of medical problem.

I find it pretty surprising that a grown-up with a child doesn't know what the most appropriate course of action to take is when their child does something as basic and common as cut themselves. I appreciate that it's upsetting and that a lot of blood often looks very serious, but really OP, you shouldn't be in this position. You have a BABY, as you say. You should know where to go, what to do and some basic first aid.

Why are you going to the 'nearest medical practice'? Did you really just pitch up at some random GP's surgery (that you're obviously not registered at) and think this was the most appropriate thing to do? Why? GPs don't fix bleeding cuts - that's either a DIY job, or for the A&E department. And even if they did, you need to see your own, not someone else's!

I'm sorry to be unsympathetic, usually I'm very understanding of this sort of thing. But honestly, sign up for a first aid course. There's no reason for panicking because your baby cut his foot. It's upsetting of course, but panicking? You're not doing him, or yourself any favours.

Yes, you're right. I've been thinking about doing a first aid course before but it's definitely happening now. Both me and DH.

I haven't really seen the colour-coded poster before. It may be because I've only been to a GP a few times in my life (certainly fewer than 10!) and don't really have the need to visit pharmacies. I did clean and dress the cut but it was deep and I thought it needed stitches. And yes, I panicked: I needed a doctor, I was on my own without a car, with no bus link to hospital and I was certain a GP at a medical practice would help. After all a doctor's a doctor, I thought. Now I know better. Lesson learned.

kellykins

thorsoak wrote: »

The thing is, one doesn't call for an ambulance, one calls 999 - and the operator will ask questions, assess the situation and then establish whether the situation is an emergency requiring an ambulance/first responder etc etc etc.

And then they will send someone..whether that be an ambulance or a first responder.....its still a waste of valuable resources and clearly the incorrect advice to call 999... They don't merely give you advice, I believe this is why we have nhs direct.

silly_moo

fluffnutter wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing in your quote to suggest the doctor was free. How did they know it was a 'duty doctor'? What does this even mean? It wasn't the OP's practice. I think it's presumptuous to assume that there's some doctor sat around waiting for random unregistered people to wander in with injured babies. It's not a minor injuries unit, or A&E. It was a medical practice. I wouldn't expect my own GP to look at my baby's bleeding foot, let alone someone else's GP.

It WAS MY medical practice. And it was the receptionist who went to speak to the DUTY DOCTOR (her words). She disappeared for a brief moment through the door where you can see other receptionists so I assumed the doctor was also there. And if the doctor was there then she/he was definitely without a patient.