NHS Direct - What a Joke :(

Malt_Vinegar · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:40

I called NHS direct last night, at 7:30. I spoke to a chap who kept asking me about flu, and I informed him that i was not suffering from flu, and wanted to discuss a problem (no medical threads, so i will refrain from discussing the actual problem)

They informed me that it would take 4 hours to call back. So i said that would be fine. The bloke sounded suprised, and then asked me what time i would be available till. I said 1am, as I did'nt want to have to wait again if i missed after 4 hours.

So I spend from 7:30 - 1:30 making sure my phone is nearby, and phone them back up, saying that I had been waiting 5 hours now, was someone going to call.. They said the wait was around 5 hours 15 minutes, and to wait a bit longer. I told them that I would be available till 2am in that case.

Waited till 2:15am before giving up.

So I called today, went through all the same procedures, only to be told the wait is 5 hours again. However, somehow I doubt I will get a call back!

Looks like I will have to go bother the doctor, take time out of work, and generally do exactly what I would have done if NHS "direct" had never existed at all.

Sigh.... Such a shame, as generally the NHS does a decent job in my experience.

ScarySquirrel · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:42

I have only called them once about my balls and they just told me to go and see a doctor. It all seemed a bit pointless.

Mat · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:42

Sounds as good as their online symptom checker which I used out of curiosity once, whilst suffering from a mild head cold, and was greeted with large red letters which told me to contact my GP immediately, as whatever it was I was suffering from was serious. The cold went away a couple of days later.

Dup · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:43

Wait, so you get through then get put into a call back... but out of the 3 times nobody has called you back?

I used them once, got a human very quickly and they dealt with everything and sent us to an emergency doctor and they let them know we were going. Was great to be honest. Sounds like it's not the same 4 years on!

PhillyDee · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:43

I have used them, and the call back was closer to 6 hours. They are obviously understaffed.

ejr22 · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:44

If you are seriously worried about something then you should always go to your doctor imo. Speaking to someone on the end of a phone just doesn't cut it with me - are these people even doctors? Or do they just listen to your symptoms and check a few boxes?

Surely your employer will allow you time off to visit the quack?

cornyfeet · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:45

get well soon

NHS direct has its uses but cant really replace going to the doctor. they might be super busy with flu cases

Ahleckz · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:45

I've had to phone NHS24 (the Scottish equivalent) a few times and found them to be bloody fantastic. Never had to wait for a call back, always managed to speak to a nurse or doctor there and then & have had them arrange for me to see a doctor at half 4 in the morning with no waiting.

Not sure why they can't be as good in England, a right shame.

antijoke · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:47

If it's the banjo, it will be alright dude.

stockhausen · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:48

Malt_Vinegar said:
...
Sigh.... Such a shame, as generally the NHS does a decent job in my experience.

Now you just hang on there one doggone minute fella.

Dontcha go blaming the NHS for NHS Direct. NHS Direct is considered a complete joke by every GP I have ever spoken to - and I have spoken to quite a few

PhillyDee · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:48

Ahleckz said:
I've had to phone NHS24 (the Scottish equivalent) a few times and found them to be bloody fantastic. Never had to wait for a call back, always managed to speak to a nurse or doctor there and then & have had them arrange for me to see a doctor at half 4 in the morning with no waiting.

Not sure why they can't be as good in England, a right shame.

Probably becasue you get everything free while we pay for it . . . .

/hides

Cuchulain · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:49

We don't have NHS direct in NI, however, all the local surgeries give an out of hours number, you ring it, speak to a nurse straight away, if it needs a doctor to call you then 99% of the time you get a callback within around half an hour, they should scrap NHS direct and use the same system we do.

kevmeister · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:51

my boss had this exact same thing a while back.

a colleague was having trouble breathing, so my boss rang nhs direct, and they went through the whole flu symptoms checker thing took ages, eventually my boss lost it and said "shut up, it's not swine flu he's having trouble breathing" etc, then arranged for an ambulance to come, it turns out it was angina. ****** nhs direct!

Malt_Vinegar · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:52

stockhausen said:
Now you just hang on there one doggone minute fella.

Dontcha go blaming the NHS for NHS Direct. NHS Direct is considered a complete joke by every GP I have ever spoken to - and I have spoken to quite a few

I think I was actually saying the same thing, NHS direct does not stand up to the standard I expected from the NHS!

ejr22 · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:54

kevmeister said:
my boss had this exact same thing a while back.

a colleague was having trouble breathing, so my boss rang nhs direct, and they went through the whole flu symptoms checker thing took ages, eventually my boss lost it and said "shut up, it's not swine flu he's having trouble breathing" etc, then arranged for an ambulance to come, it turns out it was angina. ****** nhs direct!

I would say your boss is an idiot, not that NHS Direct is ineffective.

It is meant to be an advice line for non-emergencies. Not to be used when someone is having trouble breathing. ROFLCOPTER

My god, how stupid can some people be.

britboy4321 · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:56

True NHS Direct story.

My sister-in-law and her father stayed with us over Christmas.

They both caught flu.

The sister spoke to them first (in our spare room). She said 'I am pregnant but whatever you do do not tell my father. I want to exercise patient confidentiality'.

Fair enough.

The father explains HIS symptoms -- and at the end the nurse (doctor?) says .. 'thankyou very much, can you put the pregnant lady back on please?'

Words can not express what happened next but suffic to say it was the end of the Christmas celebrations ...

Jambo · 23 Nov 2009 at 15:56

ScarySquirrel said:
I have only called them once about my balls and they just told me to go and see a doctor. It all seemed a bit pointless.

I guess I am really childish but I found this post hilarious. What a difference 'about my balls' makes.

apatia77 · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:00

britboy4321 said:
True NHS Direct story.

My sister-in-law and her father stayed with us over Christmas.

They both caught flu.

The sister spoke to them first (in our spare room). She said 'I am pregnant but whatever you do do not tell my father. I want to exercise patient confidentiality'.

Fair enough.

The father explains HIS symptoms -- and at the end the nurse (doctor?) says .. 'thankyou very much, can you put the pregnant lady back on please?'

Words can not express what happened next but suffic to say it was the end of the Christmas celebrations ...

LOL - what a story!!!

scorza · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:01

My guess is that NHS Direct staff are being diverted onto swine flu helpline duties. Once again the NHS is underfunded and no-one is willing to pay for the level of service they want :mad:

Gypo · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:09

Have been in a situation where i've had to phone NHS direct twice (different times) and they have taken my details and have said the wait was between 3-4 hours dependent on seriousness of the case and how busy they are.

Each time a nurse or doctor has phoned back within the hour and has been extremely helpful and knowledgable regarding my case.

NHS Direct - What a Joke :(

Capodecina