to complain about our experience at the hospital today?

[debka]

DD2, 4mo, had to have blood taken. First they kept us waiting for almost an hour for one reason or another, so she was tired and grumpy. Then when they finally found her notes the dr tried to take blood from her elbow. I wanted to bf her through the procedure but she was screaming so hard, before he even touched her with the needle there was no point. She was crying because he held her arm so tight. An hour later, she still had a red mark where he was restraining her.

He then called a more senior dr who tried her hand, failed, and eventually got the blood from her foot. DD2 was red faced, very distressed and screaming by the end of all this.

Now perhaps I wouldn't mind so much but she had blood taken by a paediatric phlebotomist last month at Guys and St Thomas, and it was simple, quick, calm and she barely cried.

AIBU to not expect my child to have to go through this, and to expect someone with more experience to take my daughter's blood? Or is this sadly par for the course?

And do you think I should complain?

We are the same TFMDV, I stupidly let junior doctors fit long lines in DS when he was a baby. It was only as I was reading the guidelines for dealing with long term conditions and hospital admissions that I realised that these doctors shouldn't be practising on my son, who would have to do this constantly.

Unfortunately for us, we have had consultants fitting long lines and shouting at our child for crying hysterically - I stepped in and screamed at her told her to stop berating my son for being upset at a horrid procedure - he was four FGS. Doesn't help that the poor mite is allergic to magic creams.

However, we have had a portacath for a year now and it makes our lives so much easier and we can get bloods so his special nurse does bloods and grippers. Add to that many months ( I think we are on six months) of psychologist help to cure needle phobia and we are finally not having to pin him down as much for treatment.

Sorry complete hijack, but was responding to MrsDeVere who probably isn't interested anyway

I am VERY interested reindeer because I have been thinking about your DS and his needle phobia ever since you mentioned it a few months ago.

I am so glad to hear he seems to be coping with needles a bit better now. Its mad really because his reaction and fears are totally understandable and logical so phobia doesnt seem quite the right word does it? I remember someone writing that in DD's notes and I put a great big black mark through it!

Unfortunately DD's port went in at a funny angle and it was only her usual nurses who knew how to handle it.

I am utterly furious on yours and your DS's behalf for people shouting at him. How dare they!

He sounds a bloody great kid and a credit to you and the support you give him.

reindeer - how are things? been wondering how you are

How sweet are you both MrsDeVere and Sharbie

DS's port is moveable, so can be quite tricky to get blood flow from, which is why we use the same nurse too. Thank you for thinking of DS MrsDV you are a very kind person, and yes it is a relief for us to know that he isn't going to go bonkers every time they want blood. You sound far more experienced than me though! I can't imagine what you and Billie went through, but to continue to help other mothers and children must take incredible strength and a genuinely good soul.

Sharbie - what things do you mean? Do you mean the kidney donation or DS? If it's the kidney donation thing, I am now fit and well, and DH's body is working quite well with my (well his now) kidney - the kidney rejection has been stopped too. DS is doing well too! Improving all round - fingers crossed it lasts :)

both really but it was dh i remember re the rejection worry a few weeks ago
glad to hear all good x

Thank you! That's the problem with being a chaotic family - I never know what people mean when they are how we are