NHS24 problems????!
Question: Has anyone else had any problems with NHS24 and what to now??
My son had his appendix out 4 weeks ago, one of his wounds is infected and has gotten worse over the last 24 hours. I called NHS24 for advice at 7 pm and was told someone would call me back. I called again 10 minutes ago, and expressed my concerns as he is on immunosuppressants which means he has little or no immune system, and was asked this question. ' What is immunosuppressants and what do they do?'
I cant believe they asked that, surely someone there should know what they are.
I was told then as well that all the nurses/doctors were busy and someone would call me back.
Sorry if this isnt a proper question, but I really needed to have a rant.
Answers: Has anyone else had any problems with NHS24 and what to now??
My son had his appendix out 4 weeks ago, one of his wounds is infected and has gotten worse over the last 24 hours. I called NHS24 for advice at 7 pm and was told someone would call me back. I called again 10 minutes ago, and expressed my concerns as he is on immunosuppressants which means he has little or no immune system, and was asked this question. ' What is immunosuppressants and what do they do?'
I cant believe they asked that, surely someone there should know what they are.
I was told then as well that all the nurses/doctors were busy and someone would call me back.
Sorry if this isnt a proper question, but I really needed to have a rant.
You have given them a try and now can validly go to your local A and E for some help.
Rant all you want, I think they need a kick up the backside.
Your concerns seem extremely valid to me, feel free to rant as much as you like.
Take him to A&E to get the wee soul sorted out[phone them first if you like, they won't turn you away]. I would then make a complaint in writing, this is disgraceful. you are supposed to get through to a trained nurse when looking for advice from NHS24 If they don't know what immunosuppressants are do you want them treating your son?
that always happens my mum phoned them when i had a really painful ear and she said to them that i was holding my ear and saying it is really painful so they ask my mum if im breathing and wheter i was awake or not lol. when my brother cut is finger off at college my mum rang them and they told her they didn't know and that we should use a plaster. somehow i don't think a plaster would reattach a finger lol
Can u not call NHS direct?
Even tho they are meant for England and Wales.
I have used them a few times and have saved trips to A+E and 999.
do u mean nhs direct? the person you spoke to was just a receptionist which is why they didnt know what immunesuppressive drugs were. they probably asked just incase it was a name of a drug (as a receptionist they may not have had a clue what you were talking about and were anticipating doctors or nurses questions)
they aim to call back within the hour, but will prioritise. we called them when my 24 hour old baby statred passing blood in his wee, after half hour i took him to a and e. if they still havent called back call your local pimary care. this is an out of hours gp service usually run from the hospital. call the hospital and ask for primary care then book an appointment with them, they will see him and treat him tonight.
otherwise call your gp and the answer phone will give you the number of the gp on call and they will come out and visit.
nhs direct is ok if you arent in any hurry but if you are then try the other methods first (primary care and doc on call)
nhs were great when i had a suspected ectopic pregnancy a nurse called me within 5 mins of me putting the phone down, so i guess it could be a good sign they havent called you back as they obviously dont think there is any urgency but i would try primary care first. good luck hope hes ok x
Never used them. But I don't blame you for ranting---I would probably report to a supervisor and make a terible stink.
A&E is exactly what the name implies for accident and emergencies is your son an A or E? if you did speak to someone from NHS24 they should have informed you that you should call back if he gets worse =-is he worse? if so call them back and ask to speak to T/Leader who is medically qualified by the way if they do not take you seriously or you have problems. all calls are recorded and they welcome feedback where patient is not given correct or wrong info. anyone can go to A&E but if it is not serious you could be waiting for hours. NHS24 is Scottish and NHS Direct is English but only NHS24 can refer patient to be seen by out of hours gp.
simply put.....your son is immunocompromised from the immunosuppressants he is on. Patient's who are immunocompromised should be promptly treated when they get infection as the course of the infection is faster than a immunocompetent host. He should be seen as soon as possible and the wound should be assessed. He will definitely need antibiotics....IV if the wound is worse. They can easily get bacteremic (bacteria in the blood) with these infections.