When to call the Dr?

You should definitely ring doctors and someone should come out to see her. They may want to do X Ray, but they could certainly help with pain control. She shouldn't be left with unbearable pain, it can be managed.

If it were me I would by pass the doctor and take her straight to A & E and tell them she fell over just before xmas and she is deteriorating.

Her GP is her primary health provider and ought to be your first port of call.

But Anya if she rings the GP will there be anyone there today? And 10-1they will say take her to A&E .

If the GP is closed, perhaps a call to 111 would get some advice.

Stansgran if I ring our surgery OOH then there is a recorded message with the OOH number.

"The NHS pledges to provide services at a time that's convenient for you. Outside normal surgery hours you can still phone your GP practice, but you'll usually be directed to an out-of-hours service. The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays."

From NHS Choices..

Do you have the 111 service in your area? I've contacted them and been booked an appointment at a nearby Health Centre to see a doctor. You have to answer a few seemingly irrelevant questions but they may either advise you to go to A&E or book you in to see a doctor.

Sorry Mumsy, but I completely disagree. It is also unwise to be less than truthful about when the fall occurred. Unless it is literally an Accident or Emergency, A&E is not the place to go. Is there an out if hours walk in centre or call line to ask advice?
Or can it wait until the surgery is open tomorrow? You say she fell a week ago - that might have been the time to consult someone.
If patients or their carers use A&E as an "out of hours" doctor service it is not surprising that genuine emergencies can find them selves on a trolley for 6 hours or more.
I know the system is imperfect, but resorting to the big guns as the first choice only makes things worse.

If your mother doesn't want to go into hospital taking her to A & E might not be the best idea. I would try in the first instance to get an on call GP to come out. I think they are trying to avoid using A & E to deliver primary care as that is one of its main problems.

Personally it sounds as if your mum at her advanced age should be in hospital and if you ring 111 that's where she will be going with the condition you have described
It doesn't sound as if she can carry on the way she is
You say she fell a week ago and has strained her thigh muscles ...how do you know that? did a doctor examine her at the time of the fall ? not being dramatic but the lady could have broken a femur or cracked a hip

Round here there is a private company that supplies out of hours cover - when you ring the GP number, the message tells you where to ring. I have actually put that number in my phone.

As it is one week since her fall, I imagine one more day until the GP surgery is open won't make a lot of difference but I'm not a medical person to advise. Our out of hours service is useless, they either say there's nothing wrong or you should call an ambulance. We have no walk in centre but our local A&E has an urgent care centre with GPs and nurses and I've been treated there when my GP is closed. Your decision will be based on what kind of services are near you. I do believe however that your GP will send her to the hospital.

Thank you for the suggestions. I've just heard on the radio that 111 is operating in our area - not heard of it before today. She wasn't this bad a week ago but I think we may call someone tomorrow unless there is improvement. She really doesn't want to be admitted and once you contact them sometimes you set a course in motion that you don't want - as people have commented that's what the GP may do. I don't think A&E will help other than admittance. My sister and I will be in trouble if we get her admitted and in trouble if she gets worse and do nothing! Can't really win with old people on that score.

If she is in uncontrolled pain, it maybe that she needs a hospital to sort it out.

Well Better to get into trouble for getting her help than get into trouble for leaving her in agongy

It does not take much for an elderly lady to break a bone and this may have happened when she fell last week, especially if she has been weight bearing since the fall. She needs medical attention and 111 is a good start but do not forget that they use a check list so some of the questions appear to be inane. Good luck.

The situation can't go on as it is. If your mother needs hospital care then she needs it, it's not your fault.

GPs and hospitals are not interested in admitting people to hospital if they don't need it.

We may be lucky but I've always found the out of hours doctors very good when I've had to call them to see DH. They seem to have time to discuss things and help you decide what needs to be done.

Waiting for GP now

Hope you are gettig it sorted out now. It is hard sometimes to decide what action is best, especialy for someone else.
My brother, who lives with us, had a hacking cough which really took his breath away but her was determined not to go to the doctor. That is hs choice but I wish he'd take to his bedroom and stop looking pathetic in my company!

My vieew is seek medical advice or put up with the consequences QUIETLY!

Update

Mum was admitted to hospital for one night (very stressful for all) she has not broken a bone and has been discharged back home with a care package which will continue for up to 6 weeks after which you can pay for any care still needed. In our area this is a free service for over 65s initially. I'd never heard of it before but it's good to know about and a great help while we get over this crisis.

That's good to hear I hope she is more comfortable now and the carers are kind and caring.