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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What would you as parents would like from Children a&e

49 replies

ChildrenAandE · 04/10/2016 00:53

I am a HCSW on a paediatric accident and emergency department.

I already take into work all my DC toys that they have out grown and pay my DC if they wish the cash value, also DVD that are U rated that my DC no longer watch.

As part of my role I clean the toys so we can only have toys that are able to be cleaned. Which I do every morning.

I also do wall displays as they would do in nursery and schools.

I want to do more to more for both parents and children that come to us.

Got any ideas

OP posts:
Emochild · 04/10/2016 00:58

Most a&e departments seem well equipped for younger children but teenagers are paeds patients too

Sitting in a&e with an ill or injured teenager is hard work -their tolerance for small people running around with noisy toys has a very low threshold!

Original poster
ChildrenAandE · 04/10/2016 01:08

Thank you for your input.

Due to infection control we can't have battery based toys as they can't be cleaned properly.

Hopefully someone can suggest an idea to cater for older children

OP posts:
frikadela01 · 04/10/2016 01:11

Agree with emochild. I once provided 1:1 care for a 15 year old camhs patients on a general children's ward and it was blatantly obvious who the ward was set up for. There was nothing for the older children and teenagers. So I'd say you already sound like you have the younger ones covered. Target the older ones, although I have no idea how.

RockinHippy · 04/10/2016 01:20

Probably not what you are looking for, but a better understanding of rarer chronic conditions would be good, or at least an understanding that DPs living with DCs with such conditions will actually know a lot about it & if the doctor doesnt know, listen. The DCs themselves often know more too.

Its soul destroying for kids already suffering to be made to feel they are exaggerating, when in fact they are so used to pain, they actually play it down. Plus DCs used to living with chronic pain conditions do not react in a "normal" way to pain. So no tears & screaming, does not mean that they do not have a real injury that needs medical attention, it just means that they are bloody tough because they have to be

AndNowItsSeven · 04/10/2016 01:20

Free reliable wifi for teens.

RockinHippy · 04/10/2016 01:23

& I second free reliable wifi for teens 😊

Boneyjoany · 04/10/2016 01:24

Wifi and somewhere to charge a phone/iPad.

Original poster
ChildrenAandE · 04/10/2016 01:48

Wifi is already active as part of the deal to have a costa coffee on site.

Which gives me an idea on a wall display. There is nothing to say that there is wifi.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChildrenAandE · 04/10/2016 01:50

Another idea I have just had is to have a range of chargers available.

I would charge a fully refunded deposit so when charger is given back I will then give 100% the money back.

There is no available funds so I will do this on a tax rebate I am having

OP posts:
Starbright10 · 04/10/2016 02:02

Our children's a and e has just been fantastic - saved my daughter's life.

Chargers a brilliant idea.

Also more food and drink for parents (ready meals or something you could buy to microwave).

Teddies for the kids (a few times we've been with dd1 she's been given one).

Quiet dark rooms or area to wait in with a sick baby/child whilst waiting to be triaged as often you have to go at night (croup etc) and it's hardly good for the child who is already exhausted to then have to wait in a bright bright noisy area at say 2am - having a quiet dark zone where you could try and get them to say chill out on your shoulder and keep calm would def have helped us (a few times we've asked and been given a little cubicle room to wait in where we can switch off lights)

frikadela01 · 04/10/2016 03:19

I've thought of one that applies to all a&e not just children's: comfier supportive chairs. I was in a&e earlier this year in agony with an infection and waited 3 hours to be seen. I ended up with horrendous back ache because of the shitty chairs they had.

The2Ateam · 04/10/2016 03:23

Better lighting! And less tolerance for noisy, inconsiderate parents. We recently spent whole day in A&E. Basically under a glaring spotlight.

FleurThomas · 04/10/2016 05:30

In Hong Kong I volunteered for a kids ward where the older kids (10 plus) had their own private lounge kitted out with video games, a library, TV, learning resources/classes, Internet pods, you name it. They even let the older kids volunteer & would give them certificates and awards for good work.

phillipp · 04/10/2016 05:56

Wifi is already active as part of the deal to have a costa coffee on site.

Does it work?

Our A&E has a separate waiting area for kids. However, it's no good for teens and the wifi password that's on the wall never works. The chairs are unbelievably uncomfortable. The chairs aren't usually a problem as normally it's not too long a wait.

But a few months ago, I was stuck there for 5 hours waiting with a bored teen.
But generally I think our hospital is good with kids and teens.

Chottie · 04/10/2016 06:00

The staff to ensure when you are at the reception desk giving personal and private information about your DC that other parents stand back and do not listen in !?!?

Maybe having a line drawn on the floor asking people to wait there?

BathshebaDarkstone · 04/10/2016 06:06

DS 5 would like balloons and dinosaurs! DD 9 said toys, but you already have plenty of those.

honkinghaddock · 04/10/2016 06:08

Ds has severe asd and cannot cope in stimulating environments or with lots of other people, especially young children, around him. We would like somewhere safe he can be on his own.

engineersthumb · 04/10/2016 06:09

Hi
I recently spent 5 hours in a very well equiped pediatrics waiting room with a 3 year. I would suggest a quite area and somewhere comfortable to lay younger ones down. I got mine to sleep on a bench but it took a ling time and was only possible once most others left.

redexpat · 04/10/2016 06:13

Toilets nearby with a changing table. Spare nappies would be great, although I would keep those at reception. A decent bin to keep smells in would also be good.

Comfy chairs.

Nicer lighting.

Vending machines that take cards.

OhWotIsItThisTime · 04/10/2016 06:16

comfier chairs, or at least some. Gives your dc a chance to curl up or sleep.

honkinghaddock · 04/10/2016 06:18

Changing table for older children and teenagers so you don't have to change them on the floor.

Mrscog · 04/10/2016 06:19

How about a supply of teen magazines? Definitely need to consider older children. I once had to use a children's service when I was a teen and it felt so humiliating being surrounded by what felt like a preschool.

elsiemarleysellsthebarley · 04/10/2016 06:26

A sign explaining how the system works (ie how to sign in and what happens next) - I've found it baffling and everyone is (rightly so) too busy to explain. Don't want to sit for an hour then realise we're not in the queue because we didn't put a piece of paper in an unlabled box on the other side of the room.

Roygrace · 04/10/2016 06:32

I think you sound great!

I have a child with a chronic condition and appreciate all you do. I try to go well equipped and the wifi works well. I take snacks and things. I think your all doing a great job and wouldn't expect t anything else

PosiePootlePerkins · 04/10/2016 06:35

Do you have a range of dot to dots/colouring for the younger ones? And some of the teens might go for a crossword/Sudoku type puzzle? Just a thought. Also a 'library' of suitable age appropriate books for the older teens to borrow.

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