can anyone tell me if the NHS 24 helpline would have access to medical records? i need to ask about my tetanus status, but my own dr is shut and doesnt open until tues.i dont want to bother A & E and dont want to waste nhs24s time either if they dont have access. thanks!

I wouldn't have thought so - but you never know.  Is it likely you need another jab then?  If so, I'm sure they'd rather give another instead of leaving it until after Bank Holiday to check.  Your local A & E will have access to your records I would have thought.

im not sure, started getting a really stiff jaw last night, is painful to open my mouth, and have a headache as well. thing is, im a veterinary nurse so constantly getting scratched at work, and last week i cut myself with a trowel whilst gardening, probably just being paranoid but would rather check my status.
(i realise that as a nurse i should know my status, but my heads in the clouds most of the time!)

Try ringing NHS Direct and see what they say - they'll probably advise visit to A & E.  Has your surgery not got some sort of emergency cover this weekend?

when i phoned it gave an emergency number, but i didnt think it was an emergency, not sure if i should phone. isnt it funny, if my animals were ill there would be no hesitation, but i have to be dying before i will go myself to drs!

A&E will not have access to your records, other than hospital ones. They will only advise you check with your GP as soon as they open on Tues. Unless you are feeling very unwell and feel you need medical treatment for your symptoms then just wait till then. It would pay you to make sure you are covered. The thinking now being if you have a full course as a child in school and one booster since then you should be covered for life. A tetanus jab now will be unlikely to do anything except help cover you for further mishaps, and if your up to date it's not necessary anyway.
If you feel unwell with stiff jaws, nausea, or high temp and rigors, then phone the out of hours GP service and if needed he will refer you to the medical team at the hospital. That is the quickest way to access the correct specialty in a hospital!! A&E will only see you and if needed refer you anyway!!
Hope this helps!
Aileen.
EDITED TO SAY> If you don't think it's an emergency then you should not be using the "Emergecy" services ie Accident and EMERGENCY !!!

thank you for your reply, but i am aware what A & E stands for, hence the reason i havent contacted them yet? i had my course in school and havent had my booster, was due 2007 or 2008, that was what i wanted to check. i will leave it until tuesday unless i feel worse.

If you have been wounded and are unsure if your tetanus is up to date then you should go to your A & E, if you are just wondering for a form or something like that you would be best to wait for the Doctor to open.

To be honest if you are not sure you are still covered I would class it as an emergency... You may feel guilty about gong to A&E but this is a life threatening thing...

NHS 24 won't have acces to your records but I would still ring them for advice.

NHS Direct or is it NHS24 are very helpful, but I think they will tell you to go to A & E, you are aware you are at risk so do something sensible and get help. They will have loads of drunks later at least you are really feeling unwell.

If you're feeling unwell and you know you're at risk I would go to A&E too. If you're not sure then phone NHS Direct and they'll advise you if you should wait until Tuesday or not. Give them a call. And I agree with Nova....if you're gonna go, do it sooner rather than later tonight before all the drunks pile in.
Good luck :-)

You are in an "at risk" job, I would go to A&E myself.

Please go to A & E they were very good with me when I had this problem.

Linda

No they wont have your records.....the nhs does not yet have full computerised records, and your only records will be at your gp surgery. If you are at all concerned you should see a doctor before tuesday...I have seen someone die just this year of a small scratch that caused tetanus.
Did you have to provide immunisation records when you were appointed to your job? Maybe your boss has the info. I work in a hospital and had to have proof of all jabs pre employment. I'd be shocked if vet staff didnt have to do the same.....I would have thought it compulsory.

no, when starting my student nursing we had to covered, but then the emphasis is on ourselves to be covered. im so embarrassed i dont actually know if i am or not, had a billion other things to do recently, starting a new stressful job, buying a house, getting a puppy in january and my sister having a baby means that i dont have time at the moment to remmber to do these things (not an excuse i know :) ) my jaw is still the same, i may phone nhs24 tomorrow morning, and if it gets worse i will def go to A & E. thank you for all replies!

tetanus jab does last ten years so you are prob covered

Merlot is actually an A&E nurse so her advise is most valid.

Karen

Merlot is actually an A&E nurse so her advise is most valid.

Yes, but if it was tetanus I wouldn't want to hang around.  More than likely it isn't and I've only seen it once in our department and I've been there about 12 years now.

i still have a sore jaw but it hasnt got worse, and thats been since friday night. i was sick this morning, but didnt think vomiting was a major symptom of tetanus. i will continue to monitor and if it gets worse, or any other symptoms occur i will phone. i will definetely phone my drs on tues morn to see when im due a booster, this has gave me a wee fright!

Mebbe it is a sinus infection of some sort. I had it once and the doc told me it was (I think ) deferred pain. Kinda like when your appendix is infected you often feel the pain on the left side/ or heart attack you get pain in your arm.

I had a sinus infection and the pain radiated into my jaw. Was not fun but was temporary.

:-)