Last month on Friday I contacted Harmoni regarding a swollen leg and it was painful to walk. I went through a series of questions. I was given an appointment 2 hours later that evening (approximately 8: 30 pm). I was seen an hour late by the Doctor who was very helpful and kind and advised that he thought I had DVT. I was told that I had to register again with A&E and I wasted another few hours waiting to be seen by an A&E doctor who arranged for a blood test that night.
Due to high protein level and inflammation level I was not discharged and stayed in A&E the whole night as there wasn't a bed available and I was admitted to a Ward at 5am and given Fragmin.
I stayed in hospital for 6 days and had a Doppler scan on the Monday which showed 3 clots under my knee.
I feel that Harmoni should have advised me to go to A&E rather than see the Doctor at Harmoni. Waiting for about 6 hours to see a Doctor, the clot could have moved elsewhere for example to my lungs or heart. I think they should perhaps give Fragmin to all suspected DVT cases on arrival at hospital. Why wait for a few hours?
It was the weekend and a scan could not be arranged until Monday. My case was a bit difficult as I was suffering from excessive bleeding due to heavy periods. But this could have been serious and I feel Fragmin should have been given earlier and they have to weigh the risks.
I hope they can learn something from my case for the future.
"Swollen calf and pain in leg"
About: NHS 111 NHS 111 St George's Hospital (Tooting) / General surgery St George's Hospital (Tooting) General surgery SW17 0QT
Posted by KateM (as ),
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