My 3 year old grandson fell at pre school. They phoned my daughter to pick him up advising of bloody nose and to get him checked out. She doesn't think it is broken but not sure so phones doctors. At 10.30am this morning doctor's reception advises " we have no emergency appointments til 4pm". Yes but I just want you to take a quick look. No!!
So she was in dilemma and has ended up going to A&E due to pathetic service from GP.
Now she is sat in a & e with a 3 year old.
If a child requires urgent treatment you just go to your GP and demand that they are seen, which is the child's right, and your right. You stay in the reception area until you see the doctor, and if met by an "over bearing, self important" receptionist who argues that there are no appointments, you continue to demand that you see a doctor, and even inquire if other patients have any objections to your young child being seen before them!
Having been in this position before on a number of occasions , I know this works and as necessary you can also add when talking to the receptionist that the
NHS expects young children to be seen immediately in such circumstances and if the child suffers any relapse you will hold them personally, and legally, responsible.
Once a doctor, instead of the mere opinionated receptionist gets to hear of your protestations, you WILL be seen without further delay!
This may all cause unpleasantness at the time, but when it comes down to the medical safety of a young child, anything goes!
Yes, this case highlights how the system with GP's and A&E's is going wrong, but if we the taxpayers, who pay the NHS staff their wages and have a right to be treated appropriately, especially when it comes to young children, put our foot down then the situation will eventually change. Do not put up with a shoddy service.
