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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just checking if iabu before I kick off...

435 replies

TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 22:59

Is 4 and a half hours in an urgent treatment centre without being seen even for triage unreasonable for a 12 year old with a suspected broken foot? No pain relief, nothing and he's been crying and begging me for help for hours.....my blood is boiling but I just need a reality check before I decide whether to say something or not. Opinions please!

OP posts:
PinkButtercups · 29/03/2023 23:10

What does the poster say?

FrankColumbo · 29/03/2023 23:10

Is there an option to take him to A&E? Or have you been streamed to the Urgent Treatment centre?

Whadda · 29/03/2023 23:10

“Kicking off”.
In a hospital where there are sick and injured people.

Are you some kind of thug given that’s your impulse?

Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:11

liveforsummer · 29/03/2023 23:07

Fwiw I always go to a&e with suspected breaks/fractures (I don't think anywhere else has X-ray locally). They shouldn't need you triaged for basic meds like paracetamol. Ask again

I just did, and was told there's a shop down the road, but I'm bothered that if I leave he'll lose his place in the queue.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:12

Whadda · 29/03/2023 23:10

“Kicking off”.
In a hospital where there are sick and injured people.

Are you some kind of thug given that’s your impulse?

No, I'm a mother trying to protect her injured son from a shit system. Hope that helps clarify!

OP posts:
Redbushteaforme · 29/03/2023 23:12

Tell them you are going to have to give him painkillers yourself because he is in so much pain. If he's not being treated for at least 6 hours, they will have worn off by then in any case.

So sorry that you and he are in this position. I have a 12 year old son too and it would break my heart to see him treated like this.

Housefullofcatsandkids · 29/03/2023 23:12

If it's mainly a pain issue and they can't give any out til he's been triaged then could somebody nip and get pain medication for him? They're not going to be giving anything stronger than over the counter in the waiting room anyway. It is a long wait, my son broke his foot last year and then broke the other one three weeks later. First time we were waiting about 9 hours I think and second time was closer to 12 hours.

Notnormalami · 29/03/2023 23:12

Whadda · 29/03/2023 23:10

“Kicking off”.
In a hospital where there are sick and injured people.

Are you some kind of thug given that’s your impulse?

It's 11pm her child is distressed and in pain and stuck in a stressful situation. She's allowed to be imperfect with her language on an anonymous forum FFS

liveforsummer · 29/03/2023 23:13

Also can you find somewhere to buy or get someone to drop off? They won't give you anything stronger than paracetamol anyway. Last time in was in with dd I walked to the local shop, leaving her in the waiting area with her sister. By the time I got back they were in triage but was still quicker than waiting for them to give

Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:13

PinkButtercups · 29/03/2023 23:10

What does the poster say?

That patients who have called 111 will be seen ahead of walk ins. I wish I'd known this before I walked in! He was sent straight from school.....

OP posts:
Sparkleshine21 · 29/03/2023 23:13

If he’s 12 is it acceptable for you to pop to the shop for painkillers or is there a pharmacy on site? And leave him in the waiting room?

Notnormalami · 29/03/2023 23:14

TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:13

That patients who have called 111 will be seen ahead of walk ins. I wish I'd known this before I walked in! He was sent straight from school.....

Show quote history

Ring 111 from the waiting room. I would!

Lesina · 29/03/2023 23:14

Is urgent treatment the same as A&E? If
not take him to A&E. I came off a
horse yesterday with suspected fracture. Triaged immediately in A&E and in resis on pain meds within 20 minutes. Go ta A&E or be very politely assertive. Your poor boy. I hope he gets seen soon.

Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:14

liveforsummer · 29/03/2023 23:13

Also can you find somewhere to buy or get someone to drop off? They won't give you anything stronger than paracetamol anyway. Last time in was in with dd I walked to the local shop, leaving her in the waiting area with her sister. By the time I got back they were in triage but was still quicker than waiting for them to give

Thank you, I'll ring his dad.

OP posts:
AlexaFeedMyKids · 29/03/2023 23:14

I wouldnt kick off as such, but its ridiculous that they haven't given pain relief. Can someone drop some off? Not that they should have to.

highintheskypurple · 29/03/2023 23:14

I once waited for an appointment at the hospital for 3 hours. then I asked and I was forgotten ans my papers misplaced. double check.

trythisforsize · 29/03/2023 23:15

If it were me I would have given my child a couple of paracetamol plus before heading to A&E, and taken the packet with me.

For all you know they are resuscitating 6 car crash victims that came in on blue light. Harsh I know but your sons broken foot is not life and death - painful though. Raid the chocolate machine and keep his mind off it.

Unless of course if you mean bone-protuding-through-skin type of broken - then I'd be pissed at waiting 4 hours.

Redbushteaforme · 29/03/2023 23:15

Sorry, cross posted and have just seen that they have told you to go to the shop along the road for painkillers. Can you ask someone to go and buy some for you if you are worried about losing your place in the queue?

And once you are both home, get in touch with your MP and the local press to tell them the story. People need to know.

PinkButtercups · 29/03/2023 23:15

That's an odd system to have and not practical at all.

Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:16

trythisforsize · 29/03/2023 23:15

If it were me I would have given my child a couple of paracetamol plus before heading to A&E, and taken the packet with me.

For all you know they are resuscitating 6 car crash victims that came in on blue light. Harsh I know but your sons broken foot is not life and death - painful though. Raid the chocolate machine and keep his mind off it.

Unless of course if you mean bone-protuding-through-skin type of broken - then I'd be pissed at waiting 4 hours.

There is no chocolate machine and I didn't want to give him anything in case it contraindicated something they wanted to give him here. I should have known 😪 thank you all I'll send my ex husband to the shop!

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 29/03/2023 23:17

I just did, and was told there's a shop down the road, but I'm bothered that if I leave he'll lose his place in the queue.

Cross post with my previous one. When in a similar situation as above I left dd and walked to shop - dd 8 was in triage with dd11 by the time I got back but they'd have taken 8 yo on her own too. By the sound a of it you'd not miss anything given the timings anyway. You don't lose your place by leaving the building

UnicornsHaveDadsToo · 29/03/2023 23:17

What exactly was the mechanism of injury? Which part of the foot is injured?

Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:17

Notnormalami · 29/03/2023 23:14

Ring 111 from the waiting room. I would!

Show quote history

I am tempted!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSnootiestFox · 29/03/2023 23:19

UnicornsHaveDadsToo · 29/03/2023 23:17

What exactly was the mechanism of injury? Which part of the foot is injured?

It's the top of the foot and ankle
Very puffy and a pocket of swelling to the top. Another 2 children fell on top of him during football, one was tackling the other and he got caught in the crossfire from what i can gather...school just said he'd had a fall.

OP posts:
UnicornsHaveDadsToo · 29/03/2023 23:20

PS I'm a doctor, so could give a little reassurance or some key words to use when talking to staff.

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