Hi Mick, I tend to agree with you re: NHS Direct. They claim to be trained 'nurses' who take the calls, but I think they have a standard set of questions which they read from whatever the problem - it might vary with the age of the caller, but that's about it. Like most members of the National Health Service, including the so-called 'experts', they're useless for anyone suffering from Health Anxiety as they either tend to over-react and put ideas into your head that you hadn't thought of or dismiss you out of hand. Obviously if there's a serious problem and you can't get to your local hospital they're always there, but as far as I'm concerned for HA sufferers they're as bad as 'Googling' for symptoms. Glad they were able to advise you regarding your son Sam. Children 'eating' things they shouldn't must be a common problem!