A&Es will be busy this weekend

ARandomMiser

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

I'm kind of baffled by this. Surely colds are common enough that no one wants to spend several hours waiting at A&E to be seen, only to be told to go home and rest? Feel like there must be something else going on...

I have gone to A&E because of a cold. A cold always goes into my chest and breathing becomes very difficult, I was really struggling to breathe one day (a Sunday, so my GP was closed) to the point of nearly passing out so I got a friend to take me to A&E. While on a nebuliser I took a really bad coughing fit and actually cracked a rib - so they kept me in for a few days.

peachyprice

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Makes me wonder why the NHS don't locate walk-in centres in the same place as A&E departments. Go in, see the triage nurse, get sent one way or the other depending on your severity.

They do here!

T0mmyh

I have nothing but praise for 111! Had to use them in Friday! Found a doctors appointment at a local emergency centre at 8:30pm on Bank holiday Friday!

Pharmacies on the other hands could we find an open one... nope!

As for your local surgery being closed for so long.. doctors are allowed holidays as well!

Morglin

Tried 111 once - their advice, dispensed by someone very young, obviously reading from a flow chart/checklist, was incorrect.

Was advised by our GP not to ring them, as they are seen as hopeless by professionals.

Wouldn't use them - just find the local Urgent Care, and take a book in anticipation of a long wait.

Lin ��

parkrunner

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

here's a start for you...
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/26/nhs-111-helpline-broken-says-mother-of-william-mead-sepsis
http://m.derbytelegraph.co.uk/dying-derby-baby-failed-nhs-advice-line-111/story-21653823-detail/story.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/22/one-death-a-month-linked-to-mistakes-in-handling-nhs-111-calls/
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-23/five-deaths-in-five-months-after-problems-with-nhs-111-helpline/

Surely all of that can't be hearsay....

No it's not hearsay but like anything we only ever hear about the mistakes. The thousands of people who have successfully used 111 don't tell the media and if they did the media wouldn't use the information because it doesn't sell newspapers.

Apart from that you could just as easily find links to hospital or GP !!!! ups, unfortunately nothing is perfect.

forgotmyname

ScarletMarble wrote: »

Leicester Royal Infirmary has the walk in centre next to a&e. Separate entrances. Though being rebuilt so unsure if a combined entrance is on the plans.

I would include a trapdoor for anyone coming in for a cold they had for 2-3 days. Below trapdoor is a pool of sharks.

Oh dear i can see the complaints piling in on that one. Will the water be cold? Expect many many complaints if its too cold.

My doctors used to give an out of hours number, not they just put your through to that number if you stay on the line. Someone takes your details and the nature of the illness and a doctor calls you back or they suggest a badger clinic or walk in centre or A&E as approriate.

I called them once and thought it was a minor wee infection, goto A&E now. Hooked me upto heart monitors and all sorts.