Phoneline for Medical Help (NHS 24)

Member Name: rosebud2001

Product:	NHS 24
Date:	02/09/08 (244 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can save you a trip to the hospital

Disadvantages: Can have a wait and may not give you all the advice you need

NHS 24 is the Scottish equivalent of NHS Direct and is funded by the Scottish Government. Launched in 2004, it is designed to relieve the burden on Accident & Emergency departments at hospitals and I have had reason to use it on a couple of occasions.

The first time I used it was when my daughter developed chickenpox while I was staying with my sister. At the time we lived in London so obviously our GP was there and I needed advice so I could take her to a doctor on a Sunday outwith her usual area.

I called NHS 24 for this information and received an initial response fairly quickly but then had to wait about 5 minutes before I was able to get the information I required as I needed to speak to a medical advisor first to ensure my daughter did indeed have chickenpox. This was very important as we had a flight booked that we ended up having to change as my daughter wasn't fit to fly with the illness.

On the second occasion I called NHS 24, I called because I had scalded my arm with very hot water and didn't know what to do.

I was obviously distressed when I called them but the operator was very reassuring. She took my details, which included name, address, date of birth and the name of my GP. She asked how I had injured myself and did all she could to keep me calm.

I was put on hold while she tried to get a medical advisor for me but kept coming back on the line to make sure I was okay and to keep me informed.

I was kept waiting a couple of minutes and the last time she came on to the line she told me that she couldn't get a medical advisor to speak to me immediately however she had asked one what should be done and that medical advisor informed her I should go to Accident & Emergency immediately.

She then gave me information on where I should go as the Accident & Emergency hospital in Edinburgh is in an area I am unfamiliar with. She also informed me she would inform the hospital I was coming in and would tell them what my injury was.

At this point the call ended and I had to make arrangements to get to the hospital.

When I arrived the hospital had my details and I was seen almost immediately.

This, I feel, was a major plus point for calling NHS 24 - it cut out the need for the hospital reception to ask me lots of questions when I was clearly in a lot of pain and expedited my treatment.

I do, however, have one criticism from my experience with the scald and that is I wasn't actually given any information on what I should do immediately. I had run my arm under the tap for about 3 minutes after I scalded myself but after that I merely wrapped my arm in a damp towel to provide myself with some relief from the pain.

I have since learned I should have run it under the cold tap for about 10 to 15 minutes, something I could have been doing before I left for the hospital.

This is a minor complaint however as the doctor who saw me at A&E said that generally I had done the right thing to alleviate the initial pain.

Overall I have been fairly impressed with NHS 24 and I think its a great resource to have when faced with a medical problem, especially when doctors' surgeries are closed.

NHS 24 is open 24 hours a day in Scotland on 08454 242424.

Summary: Keep this number handy for medical questions.