NHS - Urgent Care Services

stickywicket

I know Legs posted a thread about this some time ago. I probably didn’t pay enough attention to it at the time and yesterday I nearly paid the penalty.

I suspected cellulitis. It checked out with the description on NHS Choices where the instructions were to get straight to a Minor Injuries Department if the GP's surgery was closed. This was the advice for everyone with suspected cellulitis. As I am on immunosuppresants and host to an enviable selection of metal bits which mean my scrap metal value is infinitely higher than my intellectual one, I googled my local hospital to see if their Minor Injuries Dept. was open on a Sunday. It was so I went there.

It was only when I arrived that I was told I should really have come through the West Yorkshire Urgent Care Services number as they triaged people and told them where to go (not necessarily Minor Injuries if a doc is needed). At no point, before then, was I even aware that this number and service existed in W. Yorks. (Though, as I said, I do recall Legs posting something about it where she lives) I’d never seen anything about it on any of my regular visits to hospitals or doc’s surgery and nothing on the parts of the two websites I'd consulted before leaving. I noticed, while I waited, that lots more people were being told the same thing. Yet, the leaflet I was given was printed in 2009.

So, my advice is that you all find your own local Urgent Care Services number now before you need it and keep it safe. I will.

P.S. I’m getting good at diagnostics. I was right

Soretoe2

Thanks for that Stickywicket, It's an absolute minefield getting any kind of out of hours treatment these days.
I recently went to our hospitals gp out of hours unit for help on a Sunday.
I had already rung the minor injuries unit and was told that as it was nurse led I'd be better to see a gp at the unit. So we did.....
After telling me I should have gone to the nurse led unit and me telling them I was advised to go to the gp unit (are you still there?) I was sent outside to phone them up and make an appointment.
When I suggested that I could make an appointment from where I was standing (actually I was bent nearly double in pain) in front of them ,I was told I couldn't do that. So my long suffering hubby and I had to go all the way outside, sit on a bollard and phone in. Then we had to go back along the miles of corridors to wait our turn!
Absolutely crackers. Joy

LignumVitae

Are these everywhere because I can't find the info for one near me. That said, nhs direct links to the go to doc out of hours thingy and we have drop in centres and a cracking A&E.

Well done on the self diagnosis, I once had an ex get that after being bitten by a dog (wise animal that one) it was quite spectacular and caused much drama (and more moaning/ theatrics) hope yours was better behaved than that.

Numptydumpty

Aah this explains your post on chit chat.
How is cellulitis treated? I hope it's not antibiotics, no booze!
Take care,
Numpty

salamander

Interesting sticky, hope you are well now.

I live about 10 mins walk from an A&E and my out of hours GP is based there so never had a problem with care. Been to that A&E more times than I care to remember! We don't have a minor injuries unit, just a triage system.

stickywicket

It is antibios, Numpty, but I read the leaflet with more care than usual and nowhere did it mention alcohol or avoiding it. So I poured myself a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc and swallowed the first tab

From what you are all saying, there doesn't seem to be a nationwide system. How odd!

salamander

I found a document about urgent care strategy but nothing like you have. I guess each PCT (are they still pcts or something else now?) have their own strategies in place. It's fine if you live near a hospital, as I do, but different if you don't. As well to check this stuff out when you are well.

Hope you enjoyed the wine!

elnafinn

Hi SW

Thanks for that. Got the relevant info pinned up on the pegboard in the kitchen now. Remember to drink a lot of water (especially if you are drinking wine to swill your pills down ) and elevate said leg. Hope it is better soon.

Elna x

stickywicket

Thanks, Elna. I was always rubbish at elevation but I am a big drinker However, only a tiny fraction of it is alcohol. Mostly it's big mugs of tea though water and fruit juice come into it too. I shall, in future, be more conscientious about greasing my dry skin which I know I should.

diamond

Hope this clears up quickly Sticky,thanks for information.

julie47

Hi Sticky

I hope your antibios are now working and your leg is much better.

I have just jotted down the number in my phone,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Love Juliepf x

suzygirl

Sticky, I hope it clears up promptly, I know it can be very painful.

I am fortunate where I live in that we have an excellent A & E, walk in clinic and Badger clinic (out of hours doc). Having said that,when I called the out of hours doc Saturday, I was sent miles away into the town centre to be assessed. I wasn't even aware that the clinic existed. We have 2 badger clinics at hospitals10 & 20 mins away from me. This was 30 mins away and an expensive taxi ride!! :roll: Only to be told I needed admitting to the hospital that was 10 mins from me. Another expensive taxi, but I was immediately admitted to the MAU.

I don't even think we have a minor injuries unit.