To walk dark, lonely-ish road to multi-storey carpark at 4am, with toddler?

[QS90]

Have been at hospital with toddler for 10 hours, he's likely to be discharged in next few hours. No sodding car park at hospital, so have had to park a third of a mile away, at creepy multi-storey down dark alley. Would be loathe to go alone, let alone with toddler. However do need to get home.

Partner has offered to meet me at hospital, however he's looking after our baby. Car seat is in my car - he doesn't drive. He could get an Uber, but would have to take our youngest without a car seat. Mainly 20mph roads, but into town with associated Friday night drunks.

Aibu to risk the walk alone? Or is baby without car seat more unsafe? Which is the least bad?

I see your point but I certainly wouldn't entertain the idea.

Currently on shift in a&e , talk to the nurses, someone should be able to help you out and walk you back to your car. I’ve done it for patients and other staff members countless times😊

This question is a non sequitur.

No hospital would discharge a toddler in the middle of the night.

My hospital would not either. This does not sound genuine at all.

Hope you're home safe op

Twice I've been discharged from A&E after midnight and had to get a taxi home. They don't just keep you in because it's night time.

Birmingham children's hospital?

I think I'd be a bit worried too. I hope it resolved itself

Seriously?

How the hell do you know!?

Get a taxi home and worry about the car tomorrow!

Her DH has the baby with him, how's he going to get the car seat without travelling with baby without a car seat?🙄

I wouldn't do the walk in bham. Could yiu stay in the hospital until it gets light? It'll be a couple of hours wait - grab food, hot drinks?

If they’ve only been there 10 hours it sounds like their in A and E rather than been admitted.

ours would. They've sent elderly, confused patients home in the night.

My son was discharged at 1am, I think it's quite usual.

I hope you are home safe at this stage.

No, it is not wise to walk a dark, lonely-ish road to multi-storey carpark at 4am, especially if you have a toddler with you. If you do encounter anyone who is threatening, you won't be able to make a run for it.

A bit like asking for advice on mumsnet at 3am, you are likely to encounter unpredictable characters at that hour of the morning.

A third of a mile...fgs just walk. There aren't 'vagrants' waiting to attack you.

It's completely reasonable to feel concerned about walking alone at 4am through a carpark! Especially when you're feeling more vulnerable as you're with your child.

I have no idea why so many posters are outraged by this - clearly there is a risk of walking around alone at night which is raised if you're female.

Uber direct to your car sounds like a good idea.

@PronounsBaby we went to our local out of hours with DS when he was 6 months old. They sent us to the Glasgow children’s hospital in a community ambulance with car seat. They discharged us at 4am and the community ambulance doesn’t run through the night… no option to stay unless we sat in the waiting room. We didn’t have a car then so we had to get a taxi home!

A third of a mile? A FIVE minute walk? It wouldn't cross my mind not to do this in a normal British city/town.

Hope all ok OP - sending best vibes for you and your little one ✨

I’d wait until more people are around. Could you find some food etc for you both at the hospital? then go when it’s light?
my local hospital does not discharge children at night x

I hope OP and child are home safe hy now.

I was once with a friend who was discharged from a private hospital England after 10pm. Her insurers refused to pay for another night, so home she had to go. With NHS hospital beds at around 95% occupancy rate, why do some of you think people wouldn't get chucked out of hospital in the middle of the night?

Hope you are home safe now OP.

I hope you get home safely soon @Igglepiggleandhisboat. I used to park in a grim town centre multi-storey car park for a job shift that finished at 2am. It wasn't a long walk - maybe 200m- but I hated it, it never felt very safe.