111 ?

[Thisoldbird]

I called 111 before 8.30 am today. After many questions the young lady agreed I need to be seen. A Doctor (I assume) would call me back.

9.15 pm no one has called. What is one meant to do? How long would you expect to wait.

[Buenchico]

Your case has probably been referred to your own GP but, for whatever reason, he/she hasn't called you back yet.

If it was me, I'd call NHS 111 again to express your concerns and, hopefully, to get a referral to the out-of-hours GP service.

[granny grump]

I had to call 111 a few weeks ago - They kept me posted every couple of hours until the Dr called about 5/6 hours later

[Sqad]

What's your problem?......medical that is.

[DarceyK123]

Always found this service useless.
After waiting several hours Dr rang back and said i needed to be seen and he had made appointment for me to go to A&E the next day.

I go there at the specified time only to be told they dont do appointments, i will have to queue up in the usual queue.

If i had known that i would have gone much earlier and not wasted hours waiting for 111 to call back.

Next time i will go directly to A&E its quicker.

[choux]

Hello old bird, sorry to read you are having problems. If you are willing to answer Sqad's question I am confident he will give you the benefit of his long, medical and professional experience and I doubt he will take as long as 111 to get back to you. I hope you will soon get a resolution, take care x

[Thisoldbird]

Thank you for suggestions and replies.

Squad from past experience I'm pretty sure I have Bronchitis. I've been I'll over a week gradually getting wore. My chest squeaks and rattles. I'm coughing up very nasty phlemb.. reminds me of putty! Chick and grey. My ears ache tonsils swollen. Ribs hurt when I cough..

I got a call back by half 9 pm..over 12 hours after my call. It was just a receptionist apologising for delay..checking my symptoms hadn't worsened . She said they priorities cases, shouldn't be long now..
I'm nearly 85 live alone partially disabled.. no means of getting to an appointment or A^E that time of night..

[Thisoldbird]

Sorry for many mistakes.

[choux]

Don't worry about mistakes. You must be feeling rough, I do wish you feel better as soon as you can get some appointment and meds.

[Thisoldbird]

Thank you I'll update later.

[gness]

Dear god. I can’t believe this is happening today. I’m sorry for what you are going through, Thisoldbird. I hope you get sorted soon. X

[Toorak]

This is disgraceful - I hope that you get the attention that you obviously require ASAP

Thinking of you

[William51]

I think that is normal. I have used the 111 line too and the waiting times are long.

[Sqad]

Theoldbird, thank you for your helpful reply, I agree it does sound like Bronchitis and you do need antibiotics at least.
From the sounds of it, your body is coping well, but antibiotics will be a boost to your immune system.
You are correct A&E is not the place for you, but just wait until GP rings back.
Don't worry.
Give us some feedback later.

[Peter Pedant]

hop into one of your frenz cars and go to A+E
Long wait tho

[lankeela]

Couldn't a pharmacist help?

[naomi24]

Thisoldbird, why aren't you calling your GP? In your situation where it's clear that you appear to need a course of antibiotics,that would be my first port of call - not 111.

[rowanwitch]

Presumably no cover over the holiday period, I know if some practices that only offered phone consults between Christmas and New year and one where the recorded message was telling everyone to call 111

[anneasquith]

TOB,I’m so sorry you feel unwell, and obviously in need of medical care. Would you contact your gp ?

[naomi24]

//Presumably no cover over the holiday period, //

At our surgery we've always been referred to an out of hours doctor who will telephone. I don't know if that still happens.

[Thisoldbird]

Thank you all..I rang my GP at 8 had a face to face appointment for 10.20. Diagnoses Broncitis antiBs prescribed. Hopefully in a few days ill be up and running again. He did a thorough test BP etc. Is now arranging tests for heart failure!

The reason i didn't call my own GP was it was bank holiday here so surgeries all closed.

I don't drive now PP but my Grandson offered to take me to A & E but it was an 8 hour wait. I felt far too poorly to sit up to 8 hours in an over crowded waiting area.