Compo claim in the pipeline. Some people need to get a grip.

[cupcakesandbunting]

I am guilty of perusing the DM website at work as I find it's good comedy value. I just clocked this "story"...

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1327694/Parents-fury-sick-toddler-warned-using-NHS-wisely.html

It's a fucking error, you morons. Are you making such a song and dance about the "trauma" of it to back up the claim for compensation that you'll be lodging soon? When you do get your payout, I suggest you put some of the cash towards getting a grip.

[jybay]

Sounds barking, have never heard of this being done. I reckon the DM editor sent them to generate headlines...

[cupcakesandbunting]

Stands a chance, jybay

[GrimmaTheNome]

Some stories, you just know that at some point someone will use the word 'disgusting'.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Mmmmmm, the story doesn't mention compensation. Nor does the story say that its an error. It says teh letter shouldn't have been addressed to the boy but to his parents. So the hospital are still standing by the letter.

I think the story raises an interesting point. Yes, taking a child to hospital with a temp of 40 is over the top, perhaps they could have stayed at home longer and used calpol, or at least phoned the out of hours Dr. Personally I think its right that the letter gets sent but it looks like they need to look at the wording of the letter so it comes across better. Maybe just raising awareness of the use of the out of hours Dr would have been better.

[cupcakesandbunting]

I like how the father says he felt threatened by the letter.

I know what he means. You never know which letters are carrying knives and shit nowadays.

[TattyDevine]

I dont see anything about compo? Aren't they just having a moan that their child was sent a letter telling him not to use A&E again?

They should probably just accept that its computer generated and that they probably didn't actually mean him, just silly grown ups going there for ingrown toenails and mutant nipple-hairs.

[cupcakesandbunting]

It doesn't mention conpensation but that's what they're angling for. It's a non-event.No need to contact the papers about it. It's to back up their inevitable case with Claims Direct.

[cupcakesandbunting]

If I got a letter like that after I (in my judgement) took my LO to hospital for a legit' reason, I'd bin it and think "cheeky fuckers". I wouldn't be doing that "wounded" face for the DM.

[backwardpossom]

Viva - I believe current advice is to seek medical attention if an infant has a temp of 40+˚. However, I would have phoned NHS 24 (or Direct or whatever it is in England) - indeed, I did do when my DS spiked a temp of 41˚ last year (at the age of 5 months). Guess where we were sent? You guessed it, A&E

[emptyshell]

LOL so cupcakes has noticed the generic newspaper photographer wounded face pose too. It's even better if it's afive year old or so in the local papers - always arms folded looking badly grumpy (in that really over the top face kids that age pull when you ask them to look cross), with indignant mum in the background in front of offending store/surgery/hospital/bus stop.

Always makes me laugh - it's almost on a par with the teddy from Drop the Dead Donkey if anyone remembers that.

[backwardpossom]

It would appear that MN doesn't like the 'degree symbol' and has replaced it with ˚

[cupcakesandbunting]

emptyshell there is a website that compiles "wounded faces" from various local news sources but I have no idea what it's called :( I looked at it once and fell off my chair laughing.

[wholelotofarse]

'Oh we are so traumatised by the threatening letter that I need to look uber sad in the picture for the paper, hubby you wear a spray on T-shirt and get your guns out but do a stern almost angry face, I'll wear a low cut top to show off my bangers but my face shall display deep sorrow' DM desperate for shit stories?

[cupcakesandbunting]

wholelotofarse

[AnyFuleKno]

cupcakes, it doesn't mention compensation - why did you imply that's what they are after? it's pure conjecture

I also wonder if you'd all be reacting the same if it was a little hugo with middle class parents and dad in paul smith shirt and cords?

As for the photo, what expression should they be pulling? smiling? At least they are not pointing at the letter (though I wouldn't put that past the daily mail)

[BootyMum]

I'm sorry but I looked at the photo and thought that Mum isn't 32 yrs... not possible. Is that really unkind of me? AIBU?

[cupcakesandbunting]

I KNOW it doesn't mention compensation. I would bet my bottom dollar that that is where this is leading to. What would be the end result of them contacting the DM otherwise? It's not a story anyone would give a fuck about IMO.

And I didn't mention the fact that they appear to be working class, AnyFule, you did. That has nothing to do with it. There are chancers in all sections of society.

They shouldn't be pulling any expression. They are victims of an admin error, not of someone using their dog as a rugby ball fgs.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I think they do need to calm down. 'Fury' is a bit strong. I know a lovely Buddhist centre in the East Riding where they can go and learn to meditate.

[MissAnneElk]

If I'd received that letter I wouldn't have gone to the Daily Mail or any other rag, but I would have complained to the GP practice. The child had a temperature of 40 and was having fits, presumably febrile convulsions. He was kept in overnight so the hospital must have thought that was necessary. Of course they shouldn't be paid compensation but the GP should have apologised. Fir the posters who said just give him calpol - really? If he's having a fit?

[wholelotofarse]

My opinion is that this isn't news worthy, had their son been booted out of the hospital then maybe it would be. But they got a generic letter.

My dd used to have convulsions if she so much as got a cold (scary too), I took her to a&e, Dr's and nurses said if you are in any doubt bring her back, I did, several times sometimes she had to stay in sometimes she didn't.

If I had gotten a generic letter after these incidences I would have thought, 'Generic letter' and shredded it. Not 'Hold up! Photo op coming up, DM on speed dial, wallop!' and if I was annoyed by the letter I would have contacted the patient liason people, the hospital or GP direct and told them to stick a human in front of their computer if they are going to be sending out letters.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

it would have been worthy of a Mumsnet rant. And we would all have been v sympathetic and said 'FFS!'
but not a national newspaper....

[EricNorthmansMistress]

'more resourceful of NHS resources'

Not so bad that they addressed it to a toddler but they also constructed the above sentence - I'd be wounded by that too....ouch.

[cupcakesandbunting]

To do the wounded face, you must get the correct ratios of forlorn, angry and upset all in one facial expression.

[AnyFuleKno]

it was an admin error to address it to the child yes, but the hospital fully intended to send the letter complaining about nhs services being used irresponsibly, which I do think is unreasonable in this case.

I know you didn't mention their class OP, I just wonder if the tone of the thread might have been different if the family were more of the mumsnet demographic (and I'm thinking that it would have been more sympathetic, less "let's point at laugh at these blatant scroungers")

[cupcakesandbunting]

Nah. I pour scorn on people from all walks of life.