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

I went to a&e once with an accidental paracetamol overdose, I was sent there by my gp, I had to wait about 5 hours, all the while crying my eyes out thinking I was going to die (I posted here at the time) you would think that would warrant being seen straight away and having the NAC treatment started asap, and then the icing on the cake was I was treated like actual scum by all the staff !

This, both A&E and the actual hospital as pp said forums like this or other social media “A&E NOW” then beds being taken up on the wards so there’s no discharges for people from A&E to move up to “REFUSE dischage if you’re not wanting to look after your medically fit parent/relative, hide the keys so they can’t get into the house!”

Hope you're daughter recovers quickly 🙏 ❤️ Try another hospital next itme, you might get a better experience.

Meningitis does not always present with a non-blanching rash. Waiting for a rash to appear before seeking urgent medical advice could be detrimental. So parents, PLEASE do not hesitate to get your child to A & E if they display ANY signs of meningitis.

As for the OP, I’m sorry that her child faced such a long wait for emergency care. At our local hospital children are always prioritised but if there’s too few Dr’s on duty and the department is busy then there’s always going to be a considerable wait.

OP, I hope your DC is ok.

OP I hope your daughter is OK.

The NHS is a frightening place to be at night and the weekend like something out of the dark ages.

Thats true but how come the NHS average wait in 2010 was around 1 to 2 hrs and mornings gave the staff some respite but now its 24/7 at capacity?

15 people waited for more than 12 hours at AE in 2015, last year it was 46000....

We are have all decided to suddenly get more sick or have not invested in our healthcare systems.

You’re lecturing a mum whose child could potentially have meningitis on priorities ?

I don't think many have the option of multiple hospitals. We only have one with A&E where we live, the next one is a good 45 minute drive.

From NHS advisory website. The stiff neck due to meningitis is more than just sore. Trying to lower the chin to the chest causes pain and may be impossible.

Why are you nitpicking when OP has clearly described symptoms which are suggestive of meningitis ?

Derriford Plymouth AE
Emergency Department

Last updated: 7:58AM, Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Current longest waiting time to see a doctor
790minutes - over 13 hours.
Current number of patients waiting to be seen
44patients
Total number of patients in the department
90patients

Wont inc those in Ambulances queueing either.

Its farcical.

The NHS isn't fit for purpose. My DH had what was thought to be a saliva gland at the end of 2024 which had got infected, he was given antibiotics. This has now happened multiple times over the last 12 months, he's been fobbed off when asking for a scan, he eventually got an MRI in December where the consultant said he's as certain as he can be its not a saliva stone and can't rule out a tumour. He referred him for a guided biopsy, that was on the 18th December. My DH rang to chase just after the Xmas period and heard nothing. He then got a letter saying he has missed his biopsy appointment and was been taken off the list. He rang very worried as he had had no letter, no email nothing in the NHS app advising him of the appointment. He was then told the appointment had been made over the phone with him on the 23rd December. He had been with me all day, he had had no phone call that day and nothing in the app. He then had to wait for a call back and has an appointment for his biopsy this week. A month after been told he may have a tumor and needed an urgent one!

DS2 is doing his last couple of shifts as a critical care outreach nurse, before he starts his new job as an advanced nurse practitioner in A &E. The hospital he works in is at capacity plus 120 patients. There is literally no more room to put anyone. People who could be discharged can’t be because there’s no social care available so the system is completely blocked.

The staff are absolutely doing their best in horrendous conditions.

Very angry that Labour, despite the promises have done SFA about Social Care.

My DD is also in NHS, AE is a disaster zone and the failure to address SC has screwed the entire NHS but more importantly, us the people who pay for it.

Hope your DD has been seen by now. Crossing my fingers she's fine.

Tbf the disaster that is social care won’t be fixed in a parliamentary term let alone 18mths, it’s too far gone.

This is incorrect. I spent 2 weeks in ICU with pneumococcal meningitis. The last symptoms I remember (before I fell into a coma) were vomiting, agonising headache that woke me up, eyes flinching from the light, and soreness when putting my chin to my chest.

BY THE TIME A RASH APPEARS IT IS OFTEN TOO LATE. DON’T WAIT FOR THE RASH.

People need to not spread misinformation about meningitis. The symptoms are so easily overlooked and belittled and wrong information makes this even worse. My experience took place outside the UK; I think it very likely that I would have died had I been taken ill in the UK & had to rely on NHS A&E (where this kind of attitude might have been prevalent and resulted in delay) or the NHS ambulance service.

OP did the right thing taking her daughter in. Sore neck + vomiting = emergency.

Hope your little one has been seen by the doctor and that you both managed to get some rest OP 💐

In all fairness, anyone having life threatening emergencies will be in the resuscitation room 'resus' so you wouldn't know if anyone was having a cardiac arrest or not.

But agreed, it is awful how long the waits are in A+E. I hope you were seen in the end and your DD is ok.

It actually hasn’t always, but it has got far worse since the 1990s. I can remember GPs who actually came to the house for cases like the OPs, they were real family doctors, often they’d treat several generations in a family.

In the 1960s I found a lump in my breast. I went to my GP, no appointment necessary, we just queued up. She had a look, phoned the hospital and told me to go that afternoon. I had to buy a nightie and a toothbrush, was admitted in the afternoon, and had surgery, for what turned out to be a benign cyst, the next day.

Nowadays, it might take a week to get an appointment at the GP, months for a referral to a specialist, then a biopsy etc., etc.

People who study these things, say a substantial wage increase would get people who have left for better paid jobs in Hospitality etc to return.

A career path too would help too.

Despite the work, Care rates as one of the most satisfying jobs available but that doesn't pay the bills.
Providing company cars to carers would be a massive benefit too.

Of course it can be fixed within 18months or at least a start made.

Instead they spend 4 billion on lifting the 2 child cap and launch a consultation reporting years down the line.

I remember when my dad was taken to A and E, and they had a poster on the wall asking how you would rate the hospital A and E, and whether you would recommend to friends like it was trip advisor!
The whole idea of an accident or emergency, surely is going to the nearest place in order to get medical help quickly. In the event of emergency it wouldn't be my first instinct to look up hospital ratings, id want to leave to get to to a hospital in the quickest time

@IAmADancer I hope your child is being treated now, and makes a good recovery