4 days for a blood test result

[croyde]

My 5 year old has been ill for nearly 2 weeks and as he got worse last night, his mum took him to the walk in centre at St Georges.

They suspect Glandular Fever and have taken bloods but can't get a result till Tuesday 'cos of the holidays. WTF

Surely if the Doctors and Nurses are in they should have an open blood lab.

So now the Doctor's can't be sure what it is or how to treat him. Seems a pretty fekin' useless system to me.

[Dangerous2]

this is why i have my own microscope and a portable microbiology setup at home.

[Jasandjules]

Unfortunately the phlebotomy department won't need to work (it's not an emergency area). The rules are:

1. Don't get ill
2. If you ignore Rule 1, then don't get ill on/near a bank holiday (especially Christmas)
3. Don't get ill during summer when the new doctors start

[soad]

That's poor service, bank holidays and pretty much everything stops.
Hope he gets better soon!

[croyde]

After 11 years of kids, I have realised this but they always get sick on the run up to or during the holidays, specifically abroad in countries where my medical vocab is virtually nil.

He is now in A&E but still no way of getting the results.

[spikeyhead]

croyde said:

After 11 years of kids, I have realised this but they always get sick on the run up to or during the holidays, specifically abroad in countries where my medical vocab is virtually nil.

He is now in A&E but still no way of getting the results.

Look on the bright side, my mate gave his son the medicine that the Spanish doctor prescribed. Unfortunately, swallowing suppositories is worse than the original complaint.

[Jasandjules]

croyde said:

He is now in A&E but still no way of getting the results.

I would be surprised if there wasn't a private service available if you are willing to pay!!?!? Could be worth checking? Your local private hospital may have the facilities on site?

[Pesty]

what is the tratment for glanduler feaver?

what is stopping them stasrting the treatment anyway if that is the suspected cause.

[croyde]

If it is Glandular Fever there is no treatment just bed rest and Calpol to keep his temperature down, but they have to be sure that it is not something else.

They got to A&E at 7am and are still there at 1538.

[Pesty]

I see.

good luck

[Mr GrimNasty]

Jasandjules said:

Unfortunately the phlebotomy department won't need to work (it's not an emergency area). The rules are:

1. Don't get ill
2. If you ignore Rule 1, then don't get ill on/near a bank holiday (especially Christmas)
3. Don't get ill during summer when the new doctors start

Utter rubbish. Microbiologists work an on-call roster and will go in at any time night or day 365 days a year to start EMERGENCY work, and they do not take chances with children - suspected meningitis being a case in point. Either in the view of the doctors it is clearly not serious, or the tests ordered will simply take that long to culture.

[Badgerboy]

I went for a BUPA checkup, the nurse took some blood, and the results were back in 30 minutes. I then had a follow up at the G.P's and had to wait a week.

[Pesty]

Badgerboy said:

I went for a BUPA checkup, the nurse took some blood, and the results were back in 30 minutes. I then had a follow up at the G.P's and had to wait a week.

all depends what they were checking for. some things need to grow as it were.

[Steamer]

croyde said:

They got to A&E at 7am and are still there at 1538.

Jesus H! Well if he didnt have something serious when he arrived this morning - he probably has now!

"Mummy, next time Dad suggests a bank holiday day out can we goto Thorpe park instead? - there's less drunk people and shorter queues!"

[MrLou]

If it was meningitis they'd know by now.

[bigdods]

IME they only push the panic button for suspected Meningitis. My youngest was very ill with a whopping high temp and rolling eyes but it seemed to be just flu. Took him to doctor who sent us to A&E to be on the safe side. They got in a bit of a flap and stuck him staight on antibiotics as they couldnt be sure if it was meningitis. Turns out it was just a touch of flu.

If your little one has had it for a few weeks they wont be worried about meningitis so unfortunately it wil be a waiting game.

I assume they are still at A&E after all this time as they are doing observations just to be sure.

[MrLou]

bigdods said:

I assume they are still at A&E after all this time as they are doing observations just to be sure.

I'd think more likely it's because they're at the back of a long queue.

[croyde]

Well it looks like he saw enough people. He's just got back and it's either Mumps or Glandular Fever but won't know for sure until Tuesday, when the results are in.

Rest and Calpol.

Thanks everyone.

[MrLou]

There are blood tests and blood tests.

If it's just testing for blood gasses, pH etc then a machine can analyse in seconds.

If you need to let something grow or test for diseases it takes longer.

[croyde]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Cheers, there's a vet around the corner. I might go there next time and they train for longer to