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

This

I haven't commented before this , OP, but you done absolutely the right thing
Back in 1997 Me and my then 4 year old DD, both had flu . Or so I thought.
One night my DDs temp shot right up and she was shielding her eyes from light I rang 999 who took us to the local Hospital but they felt, after doing some OBs and blood tests, she should be in the Childs A&E at a nearby hospital . Ambulance took us and her Dad had joined us by that time from work, and she couldn't see him sat in the ambulance as was saying "Where is Daddy"?

It turned out to be Flu but, a lovely Nurse said to Me at the 2nd hospital that Flu can mimic mengitas and vice versa. It was scary and she was also hallucinating.

Gosh I am so sorry to read your updates. Glad you and your DD are finally being taken seriously, I hope she gets the care she needs ASAP. It is appalling that the NHS has come to this.

The GP can refer straight to the children's ward. We have had this happen a few times before.

You are right of course - it's awful - but improving public services would involve raising taxes and so many people raise their hands in horror. Don't you realise they'll only inherit half a million they dont really need because it's "all" going to the tax man AND they're expected to pay tax on their massive mansion and don't want to downsize to only 4 bedrooms

When my son was diagnosed with T1 diabetes many years ago, by the GP, he was admitted to the children's ward by the GP just phoning them. That was the way it was done and it's still done that way now.

A lot of people go if they can't get in to see their GP.

I'm sure a lot of people who were there, that you questioned why, were also worried enough to attend A&E, you don't have to look ill to be ill and not one person is more worthy than the next. They do assess the cases when they come in and see what they deem to be the priority cases first.

Did you call 111 before you went? They normally give you an appointment time to go down if they feel you need to go.

Hopefully it's not that- but it's good she is being looked at now.

It is incredibly frustrating when you don't feel listened to especially when you have a sick child and have serious concerns dimissed- but do think you were very unlucky in your A&E treatment last night.

We were very lucky when DS has to go in with medical emergency to A&E - that wouldn't have been visible to people in waiting room - he was triaged immediately and within half an hour on ward being prep for operation. That was at an A&E not doing very well in stats.

I think you were right to go to A&E with concerns last night - and clearly GP agrees to have refered straight to the ward today. Hopefully it's not as serious as you fear - so fingers crossed but she is finally in the right place.

Hope you’re daughter is on the mend soon OP and sorry it’s been so hard to get anywhere.
Take care of yourself too

The wards I work on do not have open access or referrals, only the Paeds assessment unit which GPs can refer straight to. It really depends on the hospital set up.

I hope your DD gets treated soon.

Honestly, that has nothing to do with it. There are plenty of doctors and nurses out there it's just the hospitals and GP surgeries aren't willing to pay them to put in the hours. Case in point - I was told the soonest I could see a nurse was 3pm after calling at 8am for an emergency appointment, reason being that they were "so busy." When I turned up and saw the nurse she said no, she hadn't seen any clients this morning and they told her not to bother coming on until 3, so I was her first patient. They try to blame COVID, staff shortages, people not paying their taxes. That's not what is happening. Our government WANT the NHS to fail so we all pay for private. It has become unsustainable for them. But the sad truth is most UK salaries don't pay enough for private healthcare. This isn't the US where even mid-level roles are six figures. Paying for private healthcare on £35k a year? Having a laugh.

If I thought my child had meningitis I wouldn't be debating politics or if needed to prioritise a fictional other child with anaphylactic shock or needing CPR. I'd deal.with the facts in front me and try to prevent my own child's death. OP you did everything right.

Who are these people who think, child has rash, stiffness in neck and symptoms of a condition that could be dead in 24 hours, should I get them checked out? No, I don't pay a proportional tax to justify this cost on the NHs and besides there might be a child having a cardiac arrest who deserves the nhs more?

No one sane that's who. Yes the nhs is in this state for valid reasons. It still only exists to serve its primary purpose.

Really hope your dd is okay op. Ignore the pp who made you feel you needed to explain yourself last night.

The stats tell a different story. One person's anecdotal experience doesn't really illuminate and can be anomalous.

The stats are clear. That's why the vast majority of people see what has happened - the stats reflect the lived patient experience.

I live in Switzerland and I can tell you that with those symptoms you would be seen quickly (less than 90 mins) and would not be allowed home. The NHS is an absolute shambles

PS our actual job as parents is to advocate for our children in those circumstances. You actually have to make yourself a pain the ass in UK hospitals to get attention and you also have to consider a worst case scenario, such as meningitis, is in scope until it is ruled out by a doctor.

DEI???. ...without a diverse workforce the NHS would collapse

Without managers new and improved policies would not be implemented ...or do you expect senior medical staff to monitor budgets day to day?

I'm ex NHS and the call for lower taxes, PFI schemes, ridiculous GP contracts and the unwillingness to fix the care service is why we are here ...not cancelling DEI and going full racist 🤦‍♀️

My heart goes out to you my love. As a nation this is just not acceptable.
We nearly lost our DD aged 4. Her life was saved when we walked out of an A and E unit where they were treating us with disdain and took her directly to Alder Hey where (thank God) she was admitted directly to ICU.
They were so focused on this "not being Meningitis" that they completely failed to diagnose herpes simplex, which can and sadly does kill children. Alder Hey were on it straight away.
Trust your instincts. Sometimes you have to be that parent and fight.

Did your DD receive a diagnosis of meningitis?

I'm so glad she's now been seen and is being treated, and sending you all much love. My DD had sepsis when she was 5 and that experience, of coming so very close to the almost unimaginable, has never left me. Look after yourself as well as looking after her, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Hoping your DD makes a quick and full recovery.

It's quite standard for a GP to bypass A&E and send you straight to the childrens ward - it has happened many times to both of my children (unfortunately).

Same. Tbh, I've only been to A&E for accident stuff because the GP will refer directly to the children's assesment unit which has happened a few times.

She has been triaged so I’d assume that’s just where she is in the queue sadly. DN was seen last week in 20 minutes because he’d cracked his head open. So they can be seen faster if they’re at greater risk of death. Sorry your DD is unwell.

Seen she’s been treated now. Good.

I am only surprised that a PP said her usual wait was 2 hours. Awful, isn't it? That
At my AE last time: old, disabled people left in chairs for 48 hours. No, I'm not exaggerating.
Woman miscarrying left in a corridor, with kids around waiting to see a doctor. Not ok for her or the kids.

It does surprise me we just accept this, There's protests about all kinds of things, but no one seems to care about this.

Did the GP start treatment with the first dose of IM antibiotics?

How much tax does your family pay versus how much you receive in the form of schooling, benefits etc? The country is skint, but we keep demanding more and more of it.
I know I've had medical treatment that has probably cost the taxpayer more than I'll ever pay back.
Just giving birth and babies' vaccinations all cost cost cost.
Whinge all you want but the NHS is just a big black money hole and the country doesn't have enough cash to fill it.