Idiots who should NOT be going to A&E

Having worked in A&E nothing would shock me anymore - the things people will turn up for include toothache, because they can’t get a doctors appointment “so I thought I’d come here instead” - to a young girl requesting the morning after pill - when asked when she last had unprotected sex her reply was “oh no I need it for tomorrow as I’m going out tonight”. I tell you I could write a book on the many stupid things people turn up for in A&E

A few years ago, DH and I waited in our local hospital with our DS, who has learning difficulties, for an ambulance to take him to our nearest major hospital. We waited seven hours. During that time, we heard the nurse talking to a 'patient' in the next cubicle. She said that he had already been there that morning, and that there was nothing wrong. He sounded either drunk or under the influence of something. When eventually DS was transferred to an ambulance, the driver apologised, saying that many call outs were unnecessary, and that the aforesaid man regularly called them out, often more than once a day. They had been to court about it, but it turned out that they are obliged to go as there is always a chance that there really is something wrong. True, but frustrating for the staff.

The NHS is a great institution and we should be grateful. I know GP surgeries are run on a very tight budget but some are just badly managed. I’m lucky to have a very organised and efficient surgery. We have a email ‘ ask the dr’ facility. You email your problem or request and a GP replies within an hour. They will call you at your request or email you back, and you get an appointment to see a GP that same day if necessary, after assessment of the problem. It’s a wonderful system and time wasters are sifted out.
Regarding misuse of A&E, I think people who abuse it should be charged a fee.

Please watch, Dirty War on the NHS. Usually after a shocking and controversial programme is shown on TV the newspapers, tv, and radio are full of it and people talking about it all over the place. What’s going on? I have seen nothing so far today. Where are all the comments about John Pilgers film “Dirty War on the NHS”. I found it a real eye opener, l recommend you watch it and make your own mind up.

Maybe the name should be changed to Emergency drop the accident bit it may emphasis why you should go there and also anyone taking part in activities likely to required treatment and possibly air ambulance call out should carry insurance? I am thinking mountain biking, climbing etc. Just saying......

I wonder if we would have so many social problems, such as addiction, mental illness and homelessness, if we lived in a fairer, kinder, less divisive and dysfunctional society? This impacts heavily on our health services.

Why can't we be more compassionate and less judgmental on here?

The number of people, the 'I need this immediately, you have to fix it' attitude to the slightest off colour feeling along with the loss of GPs all adds up to strain on the service. I made an appointment with GP - 4 week wait. Received a message cancelling appointment. Made contact to make new appointment - 3 weeks after original appointment. I commented that would be a 7 week wait. Phone call about an hour later offering me cancellation appointment two hours later. My app wasn't urgent to me but had to be monitored. GP apologised, had been ill and yes I did need to be seen. I watch some of the A & E programmes. Amazes me how folk turn up with bruising, cuts, very minor problems that occured a couple of weeks ago. No one seems prepared to live through anything, everything has to be fixed. Do agree about the drunks/drugs customers causing mayhem. Some hospitals have police on duty in A & E to protect staff, standard security seems of no use. The pre holiday check should be ashamed.

It isn't pleasant to have to wait in a busy A&E but it's better than what may happen soon if some people get there way. It will be where is your insurance policy!
We are so fortunate to have the NHS but we will be kissing most of it goodbye if this Government has it's way.

Can't believe the people who appear to be unaware that the financial crisis was global and was to do with the subprime mortgage debacle in the US and greed.

Stop blaming others, the Labour Government was a long time ago and the present Government is happy to watch growing numbers of children in poverty, people in work in poverty, foodbanks right across the UK working all out to feed people. Poverty experienced by those in work is enormous.

As for charging drug users or drunk people to be treated! I can only presume that whoever suggested that has no knowledge of the causes of addiction and how mental health issues are often the cause. And as we have inadequate provision to assist people in crisis who are you going to blame for that? Presumable wait till someone else is in power and blame them.
Some of you voted for this and presume some of you have the funds to pay for private care. You do realise it's the same professionals you see whether you pay or not? And while NHS doctors are seeing Private patients who is caring for those on their list?
Rant over

The government has not cut the NHS budget
It’s increasing year on year.
GP salaries are excellent, but they want a better pension and don’t have the skills needed to manage their practices
The NHS is badly organised
Poorly managed and abused

Merlotgran that is exactly where private health care comes into play. He wanted an unnecessary checkup and there are umpteen private walk in clinics - some will come out to your home - who would have given him that for a pretty reasonable price. He didn't even need to wait for an appointment. It sounds like he could have afforded it. Maybe GPs and A&Es should have posters for the private services, those that are known to be reputable, around their waiting rooms?

My son took a friend to A & E late one evening with severe stomach pains (turned out to be gall stones). The man sitting next to them was there because he hadn't had a bowel movement for 2 days! A quick visit to his local pharmacy would have likely solved his problem. Surely there should be some form of triage which would have directed him to the appropriate service?

@endlessstrife but the Tories were in charge in the early eighties as well ?

This is a bit too judgemental when you haven't got this mans medical history in front of you and you haven't got a clue how poorly he has been. Live and let live. Don't presume someone is an idiot because he hasn't gone to see his doctors which anything like mine is a nightmare to get an appointment and as choosen a&e to get some reassurance. My dad gets a clean bill of health with his heart condition yet he is fragile and feels poorly.What would you consider kids who get things stuck in there ears, up there noses?? !!!!!

Wonder how long go he made the booking for his Tenerife trip? Bet it was longer than two or three weeks.

I know what you mean my neighbour went because she banged her hand on her daughters car because she thought she might if fractured it they should be charged for wasting hospital time

My MiL went to A&E with a hang nail. I kid you not! Her comment to me when I expressed horror ' but it's free and my finger hurt'. I was disappointed that the hospital staff didn't give her a telling off.

Elastic What's wrong with having some thing to look forward to? Surely that's irrelevant.

Do watch "The Dirty War on the NHS". It was on ITV last night late. 17 December. Watch it on catchup. Shocking.

How about the increase in population overburdening the services?

I can see why people think my post is judgemental but if you'd seen what A&E was like and heard the poor woman in the next cubicle describing to the nurse what had happened to her you'd probably feel the same as I did.

I obviously can't go into detail but he told us where he lived. It was a forty minute drive away and close to a large hospital so I suspect he may have been turned away from there in the past because why drive so far?

He wouldn't have been the only one in A&E helping to stretch resources to their limits. I just used him as an example because listening to him made me angry.

I missed the programme about the NHS last night so will watch it on catch up.

We're trying to avoid hospital documentaries at the moment.

GaGajo
Contacting your GP for an appointment is hardly an emergency. When I phone my surgery for an appointment I first hear a message that tells me to ring 999 if myself or another person are experiencing the following etc etc etc.
There is always 111 if you need advice .

My mum is 84 and we waited 6 hours at a walk in clinic when she was very ill with pneumonia because the gp couldn't see her and A&E wasn't interested. There were families with children running around screaming and some bought fast food in for a picnic. Unbelievable!

Would like to add my voice to every single person on here to watch John Pilgers film “Dirty War on the NHS” - on ITV last night, now available on catchup. Then you will understand why we don't have enough beds, doctors, nurses, GPs, pharmacists ... all of it and it has NOTHING to do with patients misusing A&Es. Wonder how many on here will have the guts to watch it and how many just won't bother? If you don't bother, then you have no right to criticise either the NHS or those using it, but will continue to blame THE WRONG PEOPLE. The NHS is being deliberately, fatally wounded - only we, those who need it, can save it.

pat9
You voice my very thoughts.