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111

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Luckygirl3 Wed 26-Jul-23 12:11:52

Rang them yesterday at about 10pm for advice on what to take for my atrial fibrillation that had started at teatime and was not letting up in spite of taking the relevant pill. I really just needed advice from a medic as to what I could take on top.

After the algorithm questions they said they would get a medic to ring back to advise me. At 1.30am someone rang - luckily I was not asleep as I was having to sit up to sleep because of the heart problem. Went through the algorithm once more. After about 10 minutes she said she wasn't a medic and could not advise me!!

At 2.10 am a doctor rang and I got the advice I needed. And I have seen GP this morning and they consulted with the cardiology department on my behalf.

It did seem a bit of a waste of time to get someone to ring who could not give advice - but I guess there is a flow diagram to follow!

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Theexwife Wed 26-Jul-23 12:22:19

Having phoned 111 myself and speaking to others the advice has always been to go to A&E, our nearest is 25 miles away which is difficult to get to if you cannot drive.

I think they are an expensive and mostly pointless service.

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Jaxjacky Wed 26-Jul-23 12:49:16

I’ve had cause to use them twice in the last nine months and they’ve been excellent, spoke to a Dr who called me back both times.
There was a recent thread on this.

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1325837-111-excellent-service

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Marydoll Wed 26-Jul-23 13:41:17

I too have had excellent service from 111 in the last few years. I cannot fault them

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Georgesgran Wed 26-Jul-23 13:43:48

As I posted on a similar thread, had DD2 not phoned them from work and gone straight to A&E, she’d have been lucky to survive the night. 111 was a lifesaver.

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Mizuna Wed 26-Jul-23 13:43:59

Me too. They've sent paramedics to my home several times.

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kittylester Wed 26-Jul-23 14:02:52

111 saved my life too. Well, after DH rang them.

I have a friend who would 'rather wait till the morning and ring the surgery' than ring 111.

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Whitewavemark2 Wed 26-Jul-23 14:32:58

Mizuna

Me too. They've sent paramedics to my home several times.

And me and each time I have ended in A&E. I have had better service from them than my GP, which I am very sorry about.

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Luckygirl3 Wed 26-Jul-23 22:23:28

The advice to me last night was to go to A&E - I think this is where the algorithm leads in the case of any heart problems. I have followed through on that several times, sometimes with an ambulance being sent, only to find that after a seriously long wait in very difficult conditions, and feeling grim, nothing different is done to that which a consultation with a doctor over the phone could not have solved. I have managed this condition for years and need only to check which drug is most appropriate in which exact situation. Clearly they must cover their backs and make sure that they do not miss anything important.

I am sure that there are situations where 111 can be a life-saver, and it is good to know that gransnetters have been saved by this.

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Luckygirl3 Wed 26-Jul-23 22:26:04

By the way, as the problem was still continuing this morning, I did as advised by the doctor who phoned last night and went to my GP where I was seen straight away; and they consulted a cardiology registrar on the phone on my behalf. They then gave me a massive dose of a drug which has turned me into a zombie! - but at least my ticker is now ticking as it should, even if I cannot keep my eyes open!

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