5hr Wait to see a Dr with sick child - how are we at this point

[IAmADancer]

Just that really. Called 111 as my DD is poorly, very high temp, vomiting, lethargic, can’t put chin to her neck as it hurts. Was told she had to attend A&E.

She is currently sat on a plastic chair, looking horrendously pale and feeling so unwell. Seen the nurse and been told it’s a 5 hr wait for a dr.

Why do we accept this as the norm, it’s awful. I feel so frustrated that this is the best we can expect and that a small child who is obviously poorly is left to wait this long

Glad your DD is in hospital now, @IAmADancer .

@Crunchymum they think she might have meningitis for goodness sake! The GP called the hospital consultant immediately as it needs to be dealt with straight away. She needs bloods and to be checked because if she does have it she will need antibiotics and quickly.

Maybe if the nurses had taken me seriously last night we wouldn’t be in this position.

This is how the NHS is too many managers too few staff, hope your little one is ok.

Gosh, how scary, i am glad youre in hospital again now. Everything pointed to meningitis yesterday, i cannot believe your concerns were dismissed.

It's really bad that you can't even get through to them to make an appointment.

My GP practice (group practice with 3 different surgeries) has an online appointment request system, and it's really efficient. You tell them what the issue is, they triage accordingly and either give you an appointment, ring you to discuss and then prescribe or refer, or,if you've given a clear explanation of your symptoms, they will sometimes issue a prescription for you to collect from your nominated pharmacy without any further ado.

I don't understand why some surgeries are so crap and mine manages to be so good. The system they use is called Anima, and I've heard anecdotally that other surgeries that use it are just as efficient as mine.

I can believe they were dismissed, you’re just not listened to or your concerns taken seriously when you go and see a doctor whether at your local surgery or the hospital. I hope your dd will be okay op, well done for pushing

I really hope she’s ok. Youve done the right thing throughout.

just on the note of some kids looking well in a and e- I once had to go with my toddler who had stuck something very far up her nose. We had to wait for a few hours in an and e because it had to be removed surgically in theatre and the dr we needed was at a nearby hospital (it was the weekend). Mine was haring about the place, playing and laughing so I was probably judged quite a lot by other parents about why I’d brought her there.

@Watchoutfortheslowaraf i know I shouldn’t judge others, I just felt so frustrated by the whole situation last night and feeling not listened too

A and E were not there for our children when we needed them. I had to discharge DS from where the ambulance took him and drive him an hour away to a hospital with doctors in it one time. He needed emergency surgery. So now we live/work/pay tax abroad. We are keyworkers. We have our pick of countries. We are in what is classed as a ‘high’ developing country. The healthcare is still better.
The UK lost two essential workers due in a very large part to the shit NHS and lack of workable alternatives. People wanging on about ‘the child next to you might be having a heart attack’ have spectacularly missed the point.
More doctors would mean both children could be treated. Qualified doctors aren’t getting jobs because the NHS isn’t hiring enough of them so they are going abroad. There are no beds because hospitals couldn’t possibly let someone over 65 just go home with a prescription. There’s always more money for managers/DEI etc though.
OP I really hope your child gets the care she needs. It’s horrible not being able to help your child when they are very ill.

She's explained both how and why, so why the incredulous questions?

It's standard for children with critical/chronic illnesses who are likely to need hospital treatment. It's seen as safer (and more comfortable) for them to be given a bed and treated on a ward rather than wait again in a plastic chair or, if they're lucky, rest and be treated in a storage cupboard or coridoor in A&E. It's also safer because they're less likely to be exposed to other illnesses which will make them worse, and it's also safer for other patients, if the child's illness could potentially be contagious and put others at risk.

Thank god your child hasn't needed this. Thank god the OP actually has a responsive OP and space on a ward was found for her daughter.

OP, you must be really worried, and also fucked off that your DD didn't receive appropriate treatment last night. I hope the staff listen to you today and your DD is treated and her condition improves.

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that. I really hoped it was just a bad case of the flu. Really hope she’s ok and it doesn’t turn out to be serious.

And @Soubriquet I hope you are ok too. I’m a very longtime poster who NCs every so often and have seen you around for many years. I can’t search “read all” for your updates as I don’t have premium but sending flowers. 💐

The fact that other countries spend more doesn’t mean our model works! It may simply mean they’ve chosen different trade-offs, including mixed funding, insurance elements, or stricter limits on what the state provides. It's also really tricky to compare countries as if every country is the same.

What worries me is that we refuse to even discuss alternatives. We behave as if changing the model is morally forbidden, rather than acknowledging that a system designed for a very different population, disease burden and workforce is no longer be fit for purpose.

Thousands of people are discovering that when they really need it for serious ailments, there is nothing there.

@IAmADancer really hope your daughter gets well soon.

I hope she’s on the mend soon, it sounds like a horrendous experience. We have just recently had a similar wait in childrens a&e with our one year old who was lethargic and unable to walk properly with a huge bump on his head after falling onto concrete. He was ok thank god but it was the worst five hours of my life. The paramedics pretty much told us to close our eyes as we went through adult a&e but children’s wasn’t much better. We didn’t have a seat in the overcrowded overhot waiting room either, had to find one in a corridor and keep running back to check we hadn’t missed being called. I can’t believe anyone who needs hospitals ever votes conservative, it’s self harm. Wonder if the nhs will even survive reform.

@IAmADancer , please focus on your DD. You must be really worried.

I don't think @crunchymum was being negative. As the mother of a disabled child maybe it's more like she wanted to know/understand incase there is something that she can learn that may benefit her child (if ever needed - hopefully not).

In London, we used to admit directly to the ward from the community but most hospitals in London do not do this anymore (except for Neonates and in Oncology). This was a safety measure undertaken after reviews of near misses and adverse events.

Now, we have all patients who have been referred in from the community (not the exceptions) first seen in Paeds A/E to ensure they are safe enough to go to the ward. They do not wait in A/E, they are seen ASAP b4 being transferred to the ward. I think that's why the pp was surprised.
The A/E is set up/purpose built for acute resuscitation and transfers. The wards are for patients that are less likely to acutely deteriorate...more stable.

Obviously, some hospitals/areas still practise the previous model.

Yes thank you. I didn't mean to be insensitive.

I just wanted to understand how (and why / when etc) the horror of A&E can be bypassed if need be.

I do apologise as this thread wasn't the place to ask.

There are plenty of middle class racists about. See the reaction of the Crowborough residents.

Hope she is ok OP and hope it is not meningitis.

As an aside I do tend to agree from my experience of A&E there were a lot of people that didn't need to be there. Having said that we turned out to also be those people so it is a tricky one! When it comes to children it is very difficult to make that call especially when out of hours/holidays etc.

How scary for you and DD OP.

I have a similar experience with DS, being dismissed by doctors and triaged as low priority, only to be referred back and it actually be meningitis.

He also did not have a rash, and this is what they clung on to when we first went.

I feel angry for you. She should have been triaged as high priority.

I hope she turns out to be ok. None of this is acceptable! I’m so cross for you

It's absolutely fine to judge others when they aren't providing a safe service and listening to you. My little girl was sent by the GP to hospital for potential sepsis because she wouldn't wake up properly (she slept through a finger prick blood test at the GP). Heart rate fine at this point but had been high in the night. We were immediately given a bed and bloods taken to look at CRP levels. We weren't allowed home until late that night when the level confirmed that while she had an infection it was within the realms of normal and not sky high. However, the phoned the next morning to check her and had said that if she was still very sleepy to come straight back the next morning.

Kudos to you for posting updates when you must be terrified and stressed out of your mind. Hope all is well for your daughter.

@IAmADancer I've only just seen your thread & your latest update. As soon as I read her symptoms, my first thought was Meningitis.
I'm so pleased that your DD is finally being seen, but I'm so sorry that they think it is Meningitis. Well done for advocating for your DD.
We had the opposite experience with DS when he had Meningitis, NHS Direct (as it was then) & our GP misdiagnosed him 3 times. It was only when we got to the hospital that they realised just how ill he was (& no rash ever appeared due to the strain he had).
I know that your priority will be your DD but please don't forget to eat & drink. You can't function on empty.
I can not express how much I hope your DD responds quickly & well to treatment.
Having been through this personally, if you want to chat or have any questions please don't hesitate to message me.
Once you're ready, the charity Meningitis Now can provide support & advice. Please don't underestimate the physical and emotional strain this kind of situation can put on you & your family.
Thinking of you

It's fine to feel frustrated by the situation and you have every sympathy it's not a nice place to wait but I think it's so important not to worse in your stress levels by making assumptions about the other people in there. You really cannot know their clinical need based on a casual observation. I just go into my own bubble world and focus on myself or my child if we are there.

Also due to both children having conditions that mean A and E trips are an inevitable feature of their lives we tend to go fairly well prepared with drinks snacks cushions and blankets. It doesn't make a significant difference but it at least makes a bleak environment slightly more tolerable.

Watching an iPhone or tablet can be a really helpful distraction from pain or worry and illness. It doesn't mean that the individual doesn't need to be there. It can also be a helpful way to keep a young child quiet and avoid them disturbing other people in the waiting room. At home I would read to my child or play funny games with them but if we need to be mindful of other people but they need distracting then actually a tablet and a headset can be a really helpful and considerate way to pass the time.

I don't think many people on this thread disputed that you needed to be at A&E last night and I'm glad you are getting help for your daughter. But it's never okay to sit in judgment on the other people in the waiting room - you have no idea of their history or underlying conditions