I'm a bit scared

[LittleMissFaffALot]

I'm asthmatic and usually well-controlled but I'm convinced I've got my brother's chest infection. My doctor's is shut so I had to ring 111. I just wanted a doctor's appointment with an out of hours GP but their system has decided I need an ambulance She said it's a 6 1/2 hours wait for non-life-threatening. One of my friends said it doesn't necessarily mean they'll take me to hospital but it's scary nontheless.

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi sorry to hear you are feeling unwell, would you like to call us on the helpline so we can have a chat?

[Poobah]

Hope you've spoken to one of the Asthma UK nurses by now and are feeling more reassured about what to do. Hope you get the right treatment and start feeling better very soon. xx

[LittleMissFaffALot]

Thank you both for your replies. Thankfully a paramedic rang me and did a telephone triage. THEIR system said I DIDN'T need an ambulance! He recommended I go to the walk-in centre if I was able to. Their receptionist told me they were on triage / escalation mode only but when I got into the treatment room the doctor / nurse (?) said he definitely wanted to treat me because of the asthma. He also checked my inhaler technique and said because I use a spacer I should change to tidal breathing rather than a single breath and told me not to be worried about using up to 10 puffs in one go (over about 15-20 minutes) and if that doesn't sort it then I'm to call 999 for an ambulance