I read a worrying story recently. A child who was symptomatic of meningitis appears to have been refused admission to a paediatric unit because she was seen by a Nurse Practitioner and not a GP. More worryingly when she was seen by a GP, he appears to have missed the symptoms and she did not receive treatment until the following day.
As an NP I find it reasonably easy to admit to our local hospital and refer to clinics. I am aware that some of my colleagues have some difficulty in referring their patients to secondary care and this needs to be addressed. Hopefully some good will come out of the investigations into this particular case and there will be improved access to services for patients.
I do find the premise that only doctor's can diagnose illness a little dated, and in this case, a little flawed.
