To think the hospital could do a bit more?

[EyeSpyaBlueFoot]

Had to bring DS1 and DS5 with me to AE because I dropped a kitchen appliance on my foot from a great height last night. It turned all sorts of colours and looked like a cartoon foot this morning.

We waited 2.5 hours and I had to change DS1s nappy. Told the receptionist in case my name was called. Came back out and checked with her it hadn't been called. After another hour I ask how much longer they think it might be to be told I'd missed my name being called and I'll have to start again in the queue. Not a word of apology from the receptionist. Two hours later we are called in to have my foot X-ray. I now have very grumpy fed up small kids. X-ray tech is using as few words as possible and simply points and says they have to stay behind the wall. I completely agree but how? I try bribing the little one with snacks but he's 1 and keeps coming to me. X-ray tech getting irritated. DS5 trying his best to pin DS1 but it's just not happening and DS5 has autism so this is no small asknof him. Eventually the tech, without giving me the choice, takes the X-rays with both kids stood behind the bed (I couldn't see them and thought DS5 had manage to pin DS1). AIBU unreasonable to think we could have expected a tiny bit more help or is that standard?

Before anyone asks DH is on a business trip in another country and no one else could come with me.

Op it's not cultural, this thread has gone pretty negatively for some reason. I had to take my DS to A&E when he was 4 months. I didn't have a buggy as I had been at a BBQ and tripped over whilst holding DS. I was a state. We waited ages as by the time we got there DS was pretty cheery. (I still needed to get him checked as his feet had swollen up!)

SO many people helped me that day. Complete strangers, hospital staff and when they got there friends. You had a really bad experience but please don't let this stop you seeking medical help that you need!

I'm another in NI (hi @PorpoisefullyObtuse!) who would be happy to help if I can. Although I like to think this wouldn't happen over here, I can't imagine anyone being treated as unkindly as you were here. Would make me really sad. Anyway, if I can help I will.

It also nothing new. I can remember being s toddler in the early 90s and a nice lady (HCA? Receptionist?) reading me my book while my mum had an ultrasound. I'm sure it wasn't ideal for the department but they did the best they could so that my mum didn't have to go without necessary healthcare.

We that can refer directly to the correct department. I assume the children would have been much easier to manage during the xray if they hadn't already just sat through a long wait in A&E and were presumably very fed up and bored....
Also, accessing services this way takes pressure off the staff in A&E meaning they might feasibily be able to support the patients there a bit better!
I can see why OP thought A&E was the right place to go but all the people saying that "it's crazy suggesting to go to the GP!" are wrong I'm afraid. It's perfectly reasonable and probably quicker & much less stressful to access services this way rather than going straying to A&E.

*Well the GP can

Your children. Your problem.

They're not babysitters. They are already rushed off their feet trying to deal with EMERGENCIES.

Sorry Hun but you was unreasonable.

There’s not much 24/7 support network in existence though is there? All I can think of is retired local grandparents if you’re really lucky, sitters.co.uk (if you can afford it) or (very rarely) a neighbour who you’re friendly with who doesn’t work/is retired. Surely all other options are unlikely to be available at the drop of a hat, they’re at work or busy elsewhere? I doubt you could call up random childminders who would just take your kids without you completing all the paperwork.

@Haahhpy it depends on your Gp I suppose. You often can't get in same day with a lot of GPs. Otherwise it would be a better system. But quite often you have to wait quite a while to see a GP.

Minor injury clinics are the way to go but they're not available everywhere.

This makes me realise how lucky I've been! My OH works away and I've had to take the kids with me for many an appointment for different things and I've never met anyone who hasn't been helpful. When my 2 year old needed a chest X-ray to check that her pneumonia had gone and there was no scarring one of the technicians stayed outside the room with the baby for me. It was offered and I didn't even have to ask.
When I broke my foot my fracture clinic appointment was in the feb half term. I had to take a 12,10, 1 year old and a 6weeks old baby with me. The staff were amazing. The nurse that plastered me helped so much with my 1 year old! They provided a room for the kids to be in while I had my X-ray and were so accommodating. Opticians have always been great too.