I have a young daughter who has been unwell since mid June with high fever. Her temperature was reading up to 40. I gave her paracetamol that evening and she was okay and we went to bed. Exactly 12:02 on Friday she was having fever again and shivering,
I called the NHS 24 and we were able to get her appointment with the out of hours in Hamilton. The doctor was very efficient and eventually we found out she's having tonsillitis which has equally affected her left ear. She was prescribed Penicillin which we started as soon as we got home around 3:00am. The temperature reduced that morning and after few hours spiked up again, I started to switch between ibuprofen and paracetamol because either of those singly wasn't helping. There was no improvement and on Sunday afternoon,
I called NHS 24. While on the phone, she slept off and was not responding. The call handler connected us with 999 but she eventually woke up and the 999 attendant informed us that it might take time to get an ambulance, she suggested that if we have a means of transport, we should get her to the hospital.
We took her to Children Hospital A and E. As I had administered ibuprofen before leaving for the hospital, her temperature was normal the whole time we were there. However as soon as we got home, the fever kicked in again. I continued with the paracetamol and ibuprofen. In the early hours of Monday, she was hot again and shivering. I called NHS 24, a doctor called me from the out of hours and said that they do not have any appointments available until around 5:00. They advised that since my daughter is sleeping, I should rather let her sleep and call the GP practice in the morning.
The GP practice was called and the receptionist told me that I will only get a telephone appointment. The doctor called and I explained to him, he only said we should continue the paracetamol and ibuprofen. This morning again I have called the NHS 24. This time the nurse didn't speak to me. The call handler was the one that was sent to talk to me that I should keep managing her symptoms. My daughter was shivering, vomiting and grinding teeth as I was on the call. When I burst into tears about her condition, the nurse then took the phone and said GPs are the ones responsible for her care so I should wait until they open. I am shocked to say the least. Now, my questions are:
1. I want to understand why it feels like everyone seems to be trivialising my daughter's illness. As an adult, I have experienced tonsillitis and I went through hell before I got better. A child that can not talk, I stay with her, I know that she's going through pain. Doesn't her case deserve attention?
2. I don't understand why we have to wait until a case becomes life threatening before everyone starts to run around. She has been on antibiotics for over 72 hours, no improvement whatsoever, yet it doesn't deserve been checked out.
3. The health care services are seemingly available but cannot be accessed because it appears someone thought I am just raising a false alarm. If you are projecting to the public that they could call NHS 24 and GP practice yet this services is not available except at the discretion of someone. As a mom, I feel like I am disturbing these people when I call, that is the feedback I get. If this is something about me, I would have stopped calling, but it is for my little one. Each time I feel like I don't have a job and I am making those calls for fun. If my daughter is ok, why would I continue to call? If I need entertainment, won't I go to the appropriate places?
I am putting this out here for the record and as an evidence for myself in case anything happens.
"Poor support for my child"
About: General practices in Greater Glasgow & Clyde General practices in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Lanarkshire Community Services / GP Out of Hours service Lanarkshire Community Services GP Out of Hours service NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) NHS 24 NHS 24 (111 service) Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) / Accident & Emergency Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) Accident & Emergency Glasgow G51 4TF
Posted by Fantastic favour (as ),
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