Snoring man in children's ward keeping everyone awake

[toadasoda]

I'm in hospital with a sick child on a busy ward full of (obviously) sick little ones and the only person having a nice ol' sleep is the only man on the ward. Yes I know its 'not his fault' but is it fair to keep everyone awake? He knows he is a snorer so surely he should adjust position or set timers or something. Am I being completely unreasonable? I'd wake him only he is behind a curtain and I feel that's not fair on the child he is with. Why do snorers always get to sleep and not anyone else. In any other circumstances one person's needs wouldn't trump a whole group.

So annoying!

But I’d want to be woken if it was me keeping everyone awake. Are there any nurses or attendants around who could have a quiet word?

I'm a nurse. If you let me know, I'd gently waken him and tell him he's disturbing the other patients who need to sleep.

Is it just him there or is there another parent also? If he's a snorer then going forward, there may need to be some discussion as to who stays overnight for his child. As much as he can't help it, the actual patients come first and they need their sleep.

I did say it to the nurse last time she checked on my child, but of course he was quiet as a mouse then, probably disturbed as I'm guessing she had just checked on his child.

I know I might sound like im being nasty but I've been up over 24 hours after a hellish time and I'm worried my very sick girl isn't getting sleep

Wake him up gently and explain or better yet go back to nurse when he’s snoring again and ask her to do so. I’ve been on a children’s ward we were so so so lucky we got a side room. I feel your pain. 💐
Yes the patients need sleep.

Yes I'd go to find a nurse and ask again. You're all stressed (him included) but you do need a quiet environment on the ward during the night.

go and find the nurse

I did but she kind of brushed me off. Don't think she did anything. The fucker is in the bed star fish style with a little child curled up in the corner. All other parents are on reclining chairs. Would it be awful to ask the nurse to move him.

Not at all, he could snore on a chair in the corridor. At least you'd get a couple of hours rest then.

I'd bet money on this chap being the sort who snores at home and tries to gaslight his partner who is going half-mad with lack of sleep, and does nothing about his snoring problem which he tries to deny or minimise.

I may be wrong but I'd still bet the money.

Parents sleeping on a children's ward (and wandering about when they need to go to the bathroom) is a safeguarding risk too especially in this era of wards being short-staffed. Although the parents being encouraged or allowed to be there is probably also due to the chronic short-staffing in the NHS.

Thanks for your help.. I'm all upset and bothered now so doubt I'll sleep. I asked the nurse again and she spoke to him, he certainly didn't get out of the bed though. She wasn't impressed with me though and that's part of why I'm all agitated now. Thanks all xx

It's a shame the nurse brushed it aside. You have done nothing wrong. Does daughter appear to be sleeping through it?

Best to you and daughter, lack of sleep and stress is horrid 💐

Selfish snoring git, he MUST be aware of his snoring. But doesn't care.

Just go up to him and give him a nudge / kick and run off and pretend to be asleep next to him to your DC

If that doesn't work just whisper 'stop snoring' or 'shut the fuck up'

This would give me the rage so I'd be doing something about it

Draw whiskers on his face!

In his ear obviously

And

'I'm a noisy fucker'

Anarchy on the ward 😆

Go over and wake him yourself. Every. Time.

Say my child is sick and can't sleep because your snoring is so loud.

I'm shocked that the nurse isn't stopping him from lying om the patient's bed. When I was staying overnight with my little one (3 admissions over 2 years) that wouldn't have been allowed. The bedside visitor chairs were a reclining type so it was possible to get some sleep but the nurses were very firm that the bed was for the patient only. He would probably be snoring less if he was in a chair as his airways wouldn't be so restricted if he was more upright.

His child is sick.
His child probably asked for him to be in the bed with him.
He can't help snoring.
I spent 3 weeks with my daughter in hospital (during COVID when you couldn't even do the parents taking turns thing) and I am a dreadful snorer. I can't help it. Get some ear plugs. Children's wards will never be quiet - even at night.

I’m sorry - it’s so stressful. Definitely get some earplugs tomorrow!

Parents are encouraged to stay because their children are more relaxed and comfortable with them close by. They also need to consent to any treatment/intervention and look after their own child's basic care needs. Nothing to do with staffing levels. Most parents insist on staying at the bedside.

I agree. It's so annoying. I kick the bed as I walk past.

What a nasty level of vitriol from certain posters as usual. I don't know about UK hospital rules but when mine was ill I snuggled up in bed with her.

My partner and some family members snore but it's not an issue because we're all heavy sleepers. In fact come to think of it, I don't even know whether I snore. How strange to assume he's fully aware and just delights in torturing lots of tiny little children.

OP and/or OP's child could be light sleepers too (though I agree he still has to go) – has any other parent on this ward complained? Anyway, you're all anxious parents including him, it's worth speaking to him or getting a nurse (either different nurse or approach this one at a different timing), instead of inventing some abusive gaslighting partner backstory in peak MN style.