No Asthma Nurse

[lilacs15]

I dont know what to do I rang the doctors for an appointment with the Asthma nurse and they said that they did not have an asthma nurse at the moment. The thing is I was discharged from the hospital Asthma nurse last year after follow ups from hospital stay. I have copd and keep getting coughs and needing my inhalers and nebuliser more. I tried to get an appointment with the doctor but it was impossible. I dont know where to turn can I contact my asthma nurse at the hospital even though I was discharged.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Have you tried telling the receptionist that you need an urgent, not a routine, appointment with the doctor because your lung condition is worsening and needs treatment asap? They shouldn't be blocking you from getting any appt - this is one way people end up in A&E for things a GP could be dealing with. But you do need to be polite and assertive and say that an appt in 3 weeks, or the appts constantly being filled before you can book one, is not good enough in this situation (speaking as someone who is rubbish at being assertive in this kind of situation).

I would give 111 a call. I think if you tell them you can't get an appointment with your GP and they agree you need one (and they absolutely should in this situation), they will usually make the surgery give you one asap if it's within their hours. I've not needed to do this myself but I know it's worked for others. If not, they should be able to sort you out with an out of hours GP appt.

You could also give the asthma nurses on the helpline a call tomorrow - they can help with this kind of situation ie how to get care. 0300 2225800 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, message on WhatsApp [phone] or email them at [e-mail]

[Patk1]

Ring 111

[Homely2 Administrator]

You just have to try everything, by all means try the hospital asthma nurse. I did this successfully once, when I had been discharged.

Need to be careful re phraseology with GP, if you say, you have breathing difficulties, my GP reception tell me to go to hospital.

If you get to GP, I would aim to get referred back to hospital asthma nurse.

My local 111 service is pretty good.so go there, if you get nowhere with other approaches

[lilacs15 in reply to Homely2]

Thats the problem you have to get past the receptionists who have now become medical experts. If you mention problems with breathing it's ring111 or go to A&E when all I want is an asthma review.

[Angrywheezer]

That sounds like a receptionist response and isn't good enough. I would suggest making a doctor's appointment asap and don't let them tell you that you have to wait for a nurse to be hired - that's plainly ridiculous.

[Durhamlark]

Like others here i agree you need an urgent GP appointment. I have had success with calling 111 before as they can get you an urgent appointment with your own GP or at an urgent care centre.

Make sure you say that your asthma is worsening and you need to discuss your medication ASAP. But don’t imply you are having an asthma attack as they will just tell you to go to A&E.

[Purpleotter]

I would go to A&E if I were you. All the best x

[lilacs15 in reply to Purpleotter]

I dont want to sit in A & E for hours sat among people coughing and sneezing otherwise I would.🙂

[Purpleotter]

Good point, I would probably feel the same way. I wish you all the best, whatever you decide to do

[Eastend555]

Hi where do you live

London Hospital hepp me a lot

But the Doctors ime afraid are no use

Try the breathing unit at your local hospital

I do wish you well

[Marmite78]

What you need (speaking from experience!) Is the doctor to refer you to the respiratory team. They can either make (routine or a bit sooner) at your local hospital OR if you are really poorly, you ring them (between 8 and 16.30 depending on where you live. It's the district nurses you ring initially and ask for the respiratory team. They will triage you over the phone and will come out either on that day (if more urgent or next. I've had them to my house before within an hour!!! You will have to be referred to them but this is the number 0330 726 0077. Hope this helps!!!

[lilacs15 in reply to Marmite78]

Thank you so much x