NHS direct

[old-wos-is-name]

Any one had to call nhs direct? I did, and was completely unhappy with the outcome. I know they read from a sheet, but I phone up about a Grandaughter with acute stumach pains and was asked what I regard as non related questions. She is 8 years old. question: is she pregnant. are her lips blue.etc. this all took so much time, then I was told that they couldn't offer an ambulance as they were booked all night, but a Doctor would call me in about an hour. if the problem got worse, call an ambulance! where is that going to come from if they are all out on emergency's? In the old days, you could call out a doctor
( not so long ago, ours had a driver at night who took him to the customers/patients) and He would turn up at any time, and call an ambulance if required or give some reassurance and medicine. ( reassurance needed when its sick kids) so nhs direct not my favourite at the moment.

[Greedyfly]

Unfortunately I have experienced this 'service' several times and it was an utter waste of time. The last time was in reference to Swine Flu, they were not very helpful and the lady who I spoke to did not speak very clearly and was rude when I had to keep asking her to repeat herself. I won't be using the service again.

[old-wos-is-name]

Hi Greedyfly,
I am sure we are not alone in having a bad response.
Alf.

[boxtops]

The new 111 service comes in very soon, it's being piloted at the moment http://www.nhs.uk/NHS...es/Pages/NHS-111.aspx

[JMR27]

When I phoned NHS24 (Scotland's equivalent and equally useless 'service') I was asked if I was conscious and breathing.
To cut a v e r y long story short my husband took me to A & E.

[old-wos-is-name]

Hi boxtops,
Yes, the girl on NHS direct advised me to call the 111 number as it would connect with a local control centre. I called them, but they were reading from the same script. at least they both said that they didn't quite know what to suggest and the best thing was to get a doctor to call me. so, have they ever helped anyone????

[TheWinner]

Without going into detail, we once had to phone NHS direct, as we were absolutely desperate for advice. We were called back by a "nurse" who was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. Very calming and reassuring. I would have no hesitation - whatsoever - in using them again.

[SeaJayPea]

Me too. They've always been brilliant with me as well. I've had to call them several times and had a good response every time.

[pusskin]

I've had to call nhs direct 3 times in the last 10 yrs. One doctor arrived for me within the hour, and ambulance for the other 2 accasions.
I cant say a bad word about them, only to praise them up till now

[Buenchico]

Have you tried calling your doctor's surgery number? If I was to call my doctors' number 'out of hours' it would automatically go through to the service which they contract to cover their out of hours calls (which is a private company, Harmoni, completely separate to NHS Direct or '111').

Since all NHS doctors are required to provide some form of 'out of hours' cover, something similar should be in place in your area.

Chris

[4getmenot]

could you not have just called doctors to come out anyway?

[Eve]

A friend of mine called them for advice when I was really not well and thought it might be an adverse reaction to some medicine I think.

They wouldn't even let my friend drive me to the hospital herself. An ambulance arrived very quickly and after a short spell in casualty I was taken by another ambulance to the infectious diseases unit at another hospital, told they were pretty sure I had meningitis (I was hearing voices by this point) and were going to do a lumbar puncture.

My brain was swollen apparently. Had it not been for NHS Direct, who knows.

[creamegg]

It was the 111 service I used the other night, and they were brilliant.