This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

We managed to cut out A&E care for a minor injury

Posted By Marydog

"We managed to cut out A&E care for a minor injury"

About: NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital / Accident & Emergency (Emergency Care)

(as a parent/guardian),

My son had been sent home from school with a cut on his hand and I was unsure whether this required treatment or not.

I had seen the "Know who to turn to" campaign and on the back of this called 111 (NHS24) for assessment and advice regards a minor injury.     

The call was answered quickly by a call handler who was polite and professional and then passed to a nurse who advised that this could be passed to a minor injury hub for further evaluation and to await a phone call from the latter.   

I felt reassured having gone through the questions and checks that my son was not in need of immediate treatment.  My son and I were reassured by this and I also appreciated not having to wait in A&E for an indefinite time which I's sure would only increase anxiety, and my son felt safe and comfortable at home.  Furthermore - I am pretty sure if we had gone to A&E he wouldn't have got assessed and signposted so quickly given the non life threatening/non urgent concern.

I later received a phone call from a Consultant in ED, who introduced herself and further assessed the injury - it turned out that at present no further treatment was required; was given advice on how to look after the wound and when to be concerned.      

Being very aware of the current challenges on A and E in particular I also didn't feel guilty, as I would have done if I had simply turned up to ED.
Thanks to all concerned.
More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Sue Danby, Clinical Nurse Manager, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, NHS Grampian 15 months ago
Sue Danby
Clinical Nurse Manager, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 20/01/2023 at 15:05
Published on Care Opinion at 15:05

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience on Care Opinion. I am really pleased to hear that you managed to navigate the system to get the professional opinion and advice you needed at a time and place that was convenient to you. This will have helped hugely to reduce pressure on the Emergency Department at a time when it is seeing extraordinary high numbers of patients. This is a great demonstration how changes to systems can produce of a win win situation.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 15 months ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24

Submitted on 20/01/2023 at 15:14
Published on Care Opinion at 15:14

picture of Shona Lawrence

Dear Marydog

Thank you so much for your feedback on Care Opinion. I'm sorry to learn of your son's injury and hope his wound is not causing concern and is healing well.

From what you have shared, you did absolutely all the right things in trying to seek help for your son. The 'Know who to turn to' campaign is really informative and offers great signposting. I'm pleased a call to NHS 24 resulted in a referral for further assessment and advice. A trip to A&E can be a daunting experience due to current pressures and wait times can be extended as you know. I'm pleased your actions mitigated against attending A&E and ultimately your son received excellent person-centred care at home.

If you wish to share anything further in relation to your call to 111, it would be good to hear from you. I am on 07814 299944 or email at Patient.Experience@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk

Best wishes to your son for a full and speedy recovery.

Shona

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k