Taking a child to a breast screening appointment, would the hospital allow it?

[EarlyAppointment]

Had anyone taken a child to a breast screening appt (2ww referral) and the hospital have been ok with them just sitting in the waiting area ?

Ive been given a very early appt next Thursday but have absolutely nobody to have DS (9) so id have to take him with me and take him into school late afterwards. I can’t
get hold of the clinic to ask (will keep trying though) .

He would just sit quietly and wait so I think it will be ok?

Could you speak to school to ask if there’s any way you can drop him off early if you explain? Get a taxi straight there from school ( if you don’t drive)
Or is there a friend from school whose house you could take him to?
Appointments are stressful enough for you and I doubt they’d be happy with an unattended child. There won’t necessarily be a receptionist and even if there is they can’t watch him.

Breakfast club doesn’t open till 730 am, the appt is 745 am and I need to leave at 7 am to get there on time (it’s not my local hospital so quite a way to go) . Nobody to ask at all who could have him. I doubt the school would want him there from 650 !

If he will wait quietly in the waiting room I doubt anyone would even notice. Just do it.

He would definitely be good and quiet I just was worried as can’t get hold of them to even ask. I think I’ll have to just do it as I can’t cancel !

If you're confident he won't wander off. If he can sit there occupied by a book or quiet game on phone. I think it will be fine. Good luck with your appointment.

If you are confident he will not wander or go at things then go ahead. I am sure there will be other people in the waiting room who would keep an eye on him.

Just tell them when you get there, I can't imagine it would be a problem if they just sit and read a book or whatever.

You will be there ages...possibly hours.... you usually have investigations done during the appointment .(mammogram/scan).
Your child cannot be with you when you have those. You will get your results same day...If you have bad news... do you want your child there?

Absolutely nobody?
Not a single other parent at the school you know enough to ask this favour off for such an important appointment?
If a parent asked this of you, would you not say yes if at all possible?

In your shoes, I would ask the parents of the child’s friends to help. If I had been asked, even if I’m a relative stranger to you despite our kids knowing each other, I would definitely help in any way I could. A message on the class WhatsApp group may be useful.

As someone who got bad news at one of these appointments, hell would freeze over before I'd allow my 13 year old to come with me.

I agree. I'd do it for a complete stranger.

The screening clinic I go to is very strict - no children means no children.

I don't think they'll give the results the same day?

Ask a parent of a classmate. I would do this for anyone.

I went to a breast screening clinic and was given the news that it wasn't anything that needed further investigation on the day.

I also think you should ask the class WhatsApp group. If I was asked, I'd be happy to look after your child for you.

It can take ages so your DS could miss hours of school unnecessarily.
Also the waiting room can be a stressful place - for you, your DS, for the other women waiting. Much better to ask another mum to help out if at all possible.

OP I’ve been through this this week, trust me when I say you don’t want your son there. I (and my GP) thought I was going to be walking away after the ultrasound. I didn’t. It was a long, emotional appointment. It’s not a place for children. You need to find an alternative.

Yes, they most definitely do.

You don’t get a conclusive diagnosis, but if they decide you need a biopsy you know your odds of being diagnosed have dramatically increased from the time you walked into the appointment so it can be tricky (and then the apt takes longer), also depending on the consultant and imaging you may be told to prepare yourself, as I was, I wouldn’t have wanted my children around for that, even in the waiting room.

Okay good to know x

I have seen a woman turned away when she tried to attend a mammogram appointment with a child in tow. To be fair, this was at one of those mobile portacabin type set ups but no, I wouldn’t risk it.

I would call and explain and ask to change the time.

I had one a couple of weeks ago, there were signs saying they cannot supervise a child.

Contact school and any parents of school friends.

I was at one in a porter cabin last week and there was a child in the waiting area.. There was a tiny sofa and a girl about six sitting there. Her mammy must have been in having hers done. I was whooshed into the other changing room. They are pretty speedy in those porter cabins.

I’m never really sure what people mean when they say ‘they have no one to ask’, as often when you ask the questions, they do have options and what they mean is they don’t like them. Are you saying that there is no paid childcare options at all where you live, that you don’t live with his father who could take a few hours off, that he doesn’t have any friends that you could drop him off at 7am at, that there’s no neighbour that would sit with him for half an hour before a friend takes him to school, or at 9 he could walk himself?