I called 111 with an array of symptoms that I have been struggling to keep at bay for the last nearly 3 days, my doctors surgery is understaffed and can’t see me for a few days so suggested I phone the 111 service for further advice and to hopefully be seen by a clinician. I can’t fault the call handler at 111, in my opinion they had more care, compassion and patience in them - for someone who is really just reading off of a script, than the nurse from the out of hours clinic at NHS Forth Valley, right from when they called me, I felt they had a bad attitude and was very patronising towards me. Asked me to send a photo of my throat so they could assess if I needed to come in or if they could treat me over the phone, so I did just that - bearing in mind I had other symptoms such as bad earache, swollen glands in neck, heart palpitations, burning pain in my chest when coughing and breathing, etc.
They then called me back to bluntly tell me there’s no need for antibiotics and it’s just viral based on that one picture of my throat , not taking into account any of my other symptoms and making me feel like I was overreacting and actually quite silly. Which upset me. I challenged them and asked well what about my other symptoms and tried to get out about my chest, but I was a bit taken a back and upset that I felt like I struggled to get more out, I didn’t feel like this nurse had any compassion or an approachable nature. They patronised me again with it’s probably just a cold or flu - which at this point I was frustrated I admit and I told them I’d take their word for it, because at this point I felt my call for help was being ignored, after I challenged them about my other symptoms they did offer me to come in and they could listen to my chest, but again this was with a condescending tone and I told them there was no point. How staff who are supposed to have care and compassion for people can make someone feel so low and stupid is beyond me. I understand that they are underworked and stretched constantly but it is not their patients fault and some of the staff clearly just let others down.
"Out of hours call"
About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / GP Out of Hours Forth Valley Royal Hospital GP Out of Hours FK5 4WR NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) NHS 24 NHS 24 (111 service)
Posted by Just another patient 111 (as ),
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