llamatron   10 #73 Posted February 7, 2013 Just out of interest, what do you do if you can't afford the taxi? (not having a go, just courious)  are you suggesting that you should get an ambulance if you can't afford a taxi regardless of the injury? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat   11 #74 Posted February 7, 2013 Let's say I broke my ankle. I have a free bus pass but the hospital is two bus rides away (plus a walk to the bus stop ) . I have no money for a taxi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
kidley   48 #75 Posted February 7, 2013 Just out of interest, what do you do if you can't afford the taxi? (not having a go, just courious)  are you suggesting that you should get an ambulance if you can't afford a taxi regardless of the injury?   I think some body is trying to have an argument tinfoilhat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
francypants   441 #76 Posted February 7, 2013 Just out of interest, what do you do if you can't afford the taxi? (not having a go, just courious)  Are you asking me or superchanty ? Curious as to why you quoted me ?  I don't know the answer, but I bet their answer would be that it's not their problem.. either find the money or get somebody with a car to take you in.!!! If they've refused you an ambulance, then they're not bothered how you're going to get there, if at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat   11 #77 Posted February 7, 2013 What would you do ? (oh and I THINK I've broken my ankle, I don't know because I'm not a doctor;)).  Is it not a legitimate question ?  ---------- Post added 07-02-2013 at 11:34 ----------  Are you asking me or superchanty ? Curious as to why you quoted me ?  I don't know the answer, but I bet their answer would be that it's not their problem.. either find the money or get somebody with a car to take you in.!!! If they've refused you an ambulance, then they're not bothered how you're going to get there, if at all.  I don't know why I quoted you either really, I'll take it off if it bothers you. I don't know anyone with a car, or they are all out at work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
francypants   441 #78 Posted February 7, 2013 What would you do ? (oh and I THINK I've broken my ankle, I don't know because I'm not a doctor;)).  Is it not a legitimate question ?  ---------- Post added 07-02-2013 at 11:34 ----------   I don't know why I quoted you either really, I'll take it off if it bothers you. I don't know anyone with a car, or they are all out at work.  No it doesn't bother me, leave it there.  ---------- Post added 07-02-2013 at 11:50 ----------  Some neighbours a few doors from my house whose daughter is a paramedic quite often have an ambulance outside their front door, guess what ? it's their daughter paying them a visit !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Ms Macbeth   75 #79 Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) It isn't the responsibility of the NHS to send an ambulance for everyone who thinks they are entitled. Ambulances are a limited resource, and given that people with genuinely life-threatening conditions must take priority, the nurse advisors at NHS Direct often have to make hard decisions. They can only diagnose on the information given, which is in response to a set of questions. It must be a fine line on some occasions.  On the other hand, when I rang my GP to ask if someone could see my OH urgently (he has a history of heart problems) and said he looked grey and clammy and was finding it hard to breath, they didn't hesitate and called an emergency ambulance straight away, not something we'd even considered! It then took more than two weeks in hospital before the cardiac specialists established he needed heart surgery. It saved him! So I guess that was a good call.  If neither of us could drive (that day will probably come) and we decided we needed to go to the walk in centre or hospital, then like superchantty we'd have to stump up for a taxi. Edited February 7, 2013 by Ms Macbeth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
mumkin   10 #80 Posted February 7, 2013 I think this thread has become a bit of a witch hunt against the O/P who had obvious concerns about her health. (not nice to see or read) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Stomp   10 #81 Posted February 7, 2013 I think this thread has become a bit of a witch hunt against the O/P who had obvious concerns about her health. (not nice to see or read)  Not at all. The O/P had genuine concerns about her health, but seems to feel that they were entitled to an Ambulance because they couldn't hop to a taxi.  The operator made the right choice, but the O/P tied up an operator and a phone line when someone could have been dying and trying to get through. The problem here is not that the O/P had a health problem, but that they thought they were entitled to an Ambulance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jakester   10 #82 Posted February 7, 2013 Do not spout utter wikipedia clap trap, this lady needed urgent attention. At any age a DVT is serious but at 67 years of age she would have needed a scan to find the clot, more than likely needed Fragmin injected for speedy treatment and a ECG to determine what if any irregularities her heart was showing,then admitting for observation and Warfarin given. You did the correct thing Dolly, the NHS advice line is giving out so much bad advice they are putting peoples health at risk not helping. If Sheffield's so called paramedics are as unfit and unmotivated as Rotherham then you will expect more treatment like this in the future but take comfort in the fact that these issues are being looked into.   Oh dear..... please do not spout drivel and misinform people based on little knowledge. The DVT nurse team at NGH A+E would see possible DVT's but not usually as a 999 emergency. Patient's are usually referred by their GP (usually same day) or self present. The only time an ambulance would be apppropriate is if the patient developed other signs and symptoms eg chest pain / shortness of breath.  VW crazed - your treatment plan of a patient with suspected DVT is wrong but on the right tracks. Please do not post incorrect medical information on a public forum which may scare others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat   11 #83 Posted February 7, 2013 Not at all. The O/P had genuine concerns about her health, but seems to feel that they were entitled to an Ambulance because they couldn't hop to a taxi. The operator made the right choice, but the O/P tied up an operator and a phone line when someone could have been dying and trying to get through. The problem here is not that the O/P had a health problem, but that they thought they were entitled to an Ambulance.  So should an ambulance only be sent if its life threatening ? I've seen several proffessional and amature sportsman loaded onto ambulances - nobody has ever died of a broken arm, leg or ankle but ambulances are used for these. Does the level of pain count for anything or should people just suck it up ?  I'm not being deliberately obtuse here, there just seems to various sets of rules in play on when an bulance is justified. Is there official, accessible guidelines on this ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BHRemovals   10 #84 Posted February 7, 2013 thats awful hope you get well soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
