"Access to urgent care"

Called 999 following my mum being unwell and deteriorating with symptoms (atypical) suggestive  of a stroke. Waited approx 90mins for clinician to call back to triage. Ambulance arrived within 10mins. Following assessment, it was decided my mum did not require transfer to A&E. However they would discuss with gmed to request a review +\- an  antiemetic to be prescribed. Gmeds declined to review or prescribe an antiemetic as my mum had now settled, however this was through exhaustion, not an improvement. 

We were told to wait to call GP the following morning  or call back 111. On calling GP at 0800, we were offered a telephone call later that morning and subsequently asked to attend the surgery that afternoon. I requested a prescription of stemetil to alleviate the symptoms of a presumed vestibular problem. We received the prescription the following day. 

I am very aware of the extreme pressures the health service is under and I fully accept the decision not to transfer to a&e due to it being considered a non life threatening event and the situation of ambulance stacking. However, I am extremely disappointed at the lack of support given by gmeds overnight. It took approx 18hours for us to get a prescription for something that could have been prescribed and collected by myself that evening instead of being told to call back 111 if the symptoms were to continue. This putting further pressure on the 111 service and their GP colleagues the next day. Whilst also leaving my mum to suffer unnecessary for a prolonged period of time. 

I believe that interventions could have occurred at several points throughout this journey to not only improve patient care and experience but also to ensure that the right care was given at the right time.