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, exactly. Although A&E still sounds in desperate need of improvement, I’m holding out hope that things are gradually improving under Labour.

Both my DM and my DFil have had Sunday appointments/ hospital tests in recent months, something that has never happened before. My DM ended up spending her life savings on a knee replacement op 4 years ago as she gave up fighting and fighting to even get on the waiting list for it under the Tories, despite that being the only thing that would resolve her problem. But then within a couple of years she needed the second knee replacing and a new specialist facility recently opened in a nearby town where she had it done. It was a far faster and smoother process than the first one, she could hardly believe she didn’t have to fight the system and got great after care with more Sunday appointments (which shows they are adding extra availability to try to reduce waiting lists).

But after decades of severe underfunding, things can’t be all fixed and put right in only 18 months. Things are gradually moving in the right direction but Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I just pray the relentless criticism of the right wing billionaire owned press and social media don’t manage to convince everyone that our healthcare would be better under Farage. He’s one dangerous, lying and corrupt man who would have everything privatised in no time.

Gosh I am so sorry, IAmADancer. You really are having a distressing and frustrating time.

I hoped your daughter would be improving today after antibiotics. She probably is making progress but it doesn't show yet.

@IAmADancer been following since you posted and just wanted to wish you and your daughter well, I hope she is feeling a little brighter and you’ve managed to get some rest too

You provide a perfect example of tge Dunning Kruger effect!

I'm sorry about the lunatics on here op. If I see any I'll report.

I took my 12 yo dd to hospital with similar symptoms to yours and we were straight to a cubicle for treatment. Its very lucky you took her back to GP (and could get an appointment, and they took it seriously). My dd did have a rash which would have increased her triage priority, but even the nurse told me that rashes aren't always present. She said they often come on quickly when the child is already ill enough to be there.

I hope you daughter turns a corner tonight.

Hope your daughter starts to show improvement soon, what a worrying time for you.

Look East are doing an NHS special tommorrow night

And as Wes Streeting will be on there i will be getting my bingo card ready

An update - the IV antibiotics have started to make a difference and her markers are coming down. Still not sure what the root cause but at this point all I care about is her getting better and being at home.

Thank you to all the posters who showed support. I really appreciate a group of people I have never met showing such generosity, kindness and empathy. I hope I can repay that some day when it’s needed

Will you complain? I am not a complainer by nature but I do consider if we don't complain, nothing will improve.

I hope she gets better soon.

Really glad to hear this.

@IAmADancer Pleased to hear this

That's great news, OP.

Oh OP what an ordeal for both of you. You are right. It is so unacceptable making a really poorly child wait so long to see a doctor. Really hope she feels better soon.

So glad she’s improving. I’ve been thinking of you both

Complain about what?? She took the kid home from A&E!

So glad to hear she's moving in the right direction op xx

It seems to depend on area. At our GP surgery if a child is ill they generally make emergency appointments within hours. So sad this happens, unfortunately due to lots of issues, including lack of funding, disorganisation and people who go to a and e when they don't need to.

Last time I was there there was a whole family of about 9 taking up the seats, scoffing non stop, showing each other videos loudly. The outcome was a teenage girl being discharged and told her cough and tickly throat can be remedied at home and meanwhile she seemed absolutely fine bouncing around and hitting her siblings for fun.

Pleased to read that your DD is improving. I hope you get some rest yourself tonight as well.

Very good news. I hope she can go home tomorrow.

I was told to complain. I wish I had now. But tbh I was just so pleased DD recovered with not a single lasting issue, and then dealing with the aftermath of actually realising the gravity of the situation once it was over, I just...couldn't really face it.

But I really should have.

The next kid they send home saying it's just a virus when it's meningitis might not be as lucky as my DD.

Too late now though

My DD asked me the same thing when she was in hospital. My response was "don't be daft! Gonna die?? You've just got an infection, and you're on medication now, it's helping you! Silly Billy!" (Cuddle)

"I'm just gonna go and ring grandma a second I won't be long" and I JUST made it out of the door before I collapsed on the floor in floods of tears outside her room.

Took a few moments to compose myself then back in the room with the fake smile.

Cos I was scared she was gonna die myself. But I wasn't about to let her see that.

I'm so pleased the antibiotics are bringing her levels down. They're pretty heavy duty (if they're the same as my DD had) and work incredibly well.

When DD and I were discharged she still had to have a nurse come out every night and administer the meds for quite some time after, she had a cannula and then a long line in her arm. This might be the case for you guys too, just to give you the heads up.

The day the medical team rang and said her levels were under 3 was the best day of my life.

Wishing all the best for you both ❤️

I have been reading a lot of threads on MN tonight (insomnia) and I notice that the poster SoIMO has had multiple posts deleted on more than one thread.

My daughter was in a&e playing on an iPad a few years ago. 2 hours later she was in surgery and spent 10 days in the hospital, you can’t tell by looking who is ‘perfectly
well’.

So glad she's doing better now

Read through your responses I’m so glad your daughter is getting better, I feel for you both, absolutely complain!
not sure if it’s been mentioned but always remember Martha’s rule - the right to a second opinion I wonder if this could’ve been of any help if there had been any staff to offer second opinion?
sorry if this was already suggested I didn’t read every page x