"Communication between the 111 Service and Oldham Hospital needs to be improved."

At the end of November 2015, I contacted the 111 service as I was feeling very unwell and was struggling to breathe, I was told by the service that there were no Doctors at Oldham Hospital and that if I wanted to be seen then I would have to make my way to Manchester Royal Infirmary. I explained that I did not drive and was unable to get there, I asked about seeing an on call Doctor / Go to Doc Doctor however, I was told that I was not eligible for this and at this point was told that if I was unable to get to Manchester Royal Infirmary there was nothing else they could offer.

About 1 hour later I contacted the 111 service again, as my condition had worsened and I was very worried. This time they said that they would send an ambulance out. When the ambulance crew arrived and assessed me they advised that I needed to see a Doctor, I explained that I had been told by the 111 Service that I would have to go to Manchester Royal Infirmary however was unable to get there. The ambulance staff were very helpful and contacted 111 to look at ways for me to get to Manchester to be seen, the person from the 111 service now stated that I could go to Oldham Hospital and be seen as there was a Doctor available. At which point I made my own way to Oldham hospital to be seen.

I don’t understand why when I rang the 111 service obviously distressed and requested to see a Doctor I was told that there was no Doctor available at Oldham Hospital and that I was not eligible to see a Doctor from go to doc. However, when the Ambulance Crew rang 111 they were told that I should make my way to Oldham Hospital as there was a Doctor there. From my perspective communication between the 111 Service and Oldham Hospital needs to be improved.

I am confused as to why I could not see the Out of Hours Doctor and instead had to visit the Hospital to see a Doctor when the hospital Accident and Emergency services are really stretched.

My 111 experience left me feeling really stressed, frustrated and exhausted, when you are worried about your health these kind of barriers and complications are not helpful.