To take a sick child to the paediatrician?

[Gracie123]

I'm aware the answer sounds obvious, but let me elaborate.

We've been waiting for an appointment since February and it's for physic and to see a psychologist at the child development centre. In the last 36 hours both my kids have come down with a vomiting bug.

They both seem happy in themselves, but suddenly vomit with no warning every couple of hours.

I feel really badly that it would be unreasonable to take them to the centre this afternoon as it risks other kids catching it, but it's taken so long to get an appointment and they are very clear that if you cancel with less than 48hours notice you will need to go back to your GP for a new referral.

What would you guys do?

Phone the paediatrician's secretary, explain exactly what you've just said here, and see can she slot you in later in the week, without having to go back through the system. There's often much more flexibility than you might think - cancellations etc.

Thanks. I hope they are.

Phone up and explain the situation and they should offer an alternative appointment. It would be wrong to take vomitting children somewhere so public especially somewhere with children who are already likely to be more vulnerable.

Yeah. It's physiotherapy and psychology so other parents attending wont be expecting to encounter germs, like for instance at a hospital.

I just hope they will give us another appointment.

You are doing the right thing if you keep them away, then try and reschedule. They also can't really be assessed in physio or psychology if they are being sick.

I hope they get better soon. This things are usually violent for a while but get whatever it is out of the system...

I know. I just can't get through to anyone to change the appointment. It's all automated and then 'leave a message' so I'm worried no one will know that I've tried to cancel.

call them explain and they will find you another slot, the rules are for people that do no-shows not for a genuine case like this

Do you know the consultant's name? Ask for his/her secretary rather than outpatients/clinic extension. Hope you get sorted.

I do have the consultants name, but there is no one to ask! It's all automated.

Try the main hopsital switch board and ask them to put you through to his secretary.

Failing getting through to the consultant's secretary ask to be put through to another secretary in the same clinic.

We didn't go, I went to GP and collapsed and ended up being admitted. Fortunately MiL was able to look after kids but we are all very sick.

I left three messages on the system, but no one has got back to us. Its so frustrating that there is no way to talk to a real person

Oh Poor you. Hope you're feeling better now. x