To think the hospital should have prescribed calpol for my baby?

[PleaseLeaveVictor]

Ds3 is 9 months old and was admitted to hospital for the 2nd time on Monday in the last few weeks. He has a nasty chest infection, oral thrush, ear infection, tonsillitis and a viral wheeze. He was admitted via our walk in centre as his sats were very low.

Fortunately after nebulisers and inhalers he was ok and we were able to being him home with a prescription for thrush medicine and inhalers. We were told to give him dioralyte as he has diarreah and was a bit dehydrated and paracetamol for pain relief.

I had used the last of our calpol just before we had for to the doctors so I asked if we could have a prescription to get some more. I had spent over £10 on a taxi to the hospital as there were no transfers available and needed to spend the same amount to get back and I didn't have any spare money with me nor in the bank as I am broke until Friday.

I was told they wouldn't prescribe paracetamol or dioralyte as they were available to buy in boots (over £3 each) I did explain that I didn't have enough money and just got a shrug and a sigh. They eventually wrote a prescription for one sachet if dioralyte but not the paracetamol.

I could have used the taxi money to buy some but didn't want to take a sick baby on 4 buses in the dark, he was only wearing shorts and t shirt as we hasn't expected to be sent to hospital.

I called my mum and asked her to get me some medicine for him and luckily she could.

Should the doctor have prescribed pain reliefs and dioralyte?

I'm a little perplexed by seahorse's (and I'm sure there are others) claim that she doesn't keep "calpol" in and that she'd wait until morning. Doesn't calpol simply form the basis of a rudimentary first aid kit? Do you have bandages/plasters/saline wash/etc., etc.? Or would you wait until morning, or perhaps present yourself at A&E? :/

Everyone should have a pretty basic medical kit at home - for your family and your pets.

I'd rather have a bunch of stuff I never have to use than be without. My dog was hit by a car and the fact I was able to dress it immediately saved her leg.

Take responsibility people!

I used to ask gp for calpol and they'd do it. How insensitive.
Btw a giant bottle non branded paracetamol is about 1.80 here.

I agree slightly with seahorses except that I have liquid paracetamol, nurofen and antihistamine however whenever I come to use them they seem to be out of date. I have never ever even used more than a quarter of a bottle before throwing it away. (I have 2 young children) I really really wish they did much smaller bottles as it seems such a waste.

Those of you who have never used a full bottle of calpol aren't you the lucky ones!

do you not have any friends with young children? most people have some in their cupboard? i dont, cant remember the last time i gave mine painkillers but last time i cleared the cupboard out it was out of date lol

I'm well aware that I am lucky to have generally healthy children and I have nothing but sympathy for those parents who do not. I am also aware however that there are a large number of people who overuse pain relief.

YANBU under the circumstances. Generally I think it is the parents' responsibility to ensure provision of OTC medication and pain-relief, but there are always going to be occasions when that can't happen and in the case of a vulnerable child, that's when the NHS needs to step in.

When my DTs were 2, my DD had her tonsils and adenoids removed. At that time I was paying such a fortune in childcare (and you still have to pay if a child is off ill or recovering) that I wasn't eating enough in order to make ends meet. I spent as much as I could on OTC pain relief, but she needed the maximum dosage for 10 days and I simply ran out of money. I don't have family to ask, so rather than let my child suffer I phoned my surgery and asked for some on prescription, which they happily gave me. I have been offered it since, too, but always decline because now I can afford it I think I should leave it for those who can't.

The alternative in this case, if the mum hadn't been able to get some, was surely for the NHS to step in? Unique and difficult circumstances applied and a child was potentially suffering. I don't think OTC pain relief should be available on prescription as standard, but in certain circumstances it is only humane.