to think A&E should see a child with a bleeding gaping head injury a bit sooner than 3 hours??

[surprisenumber3]

Took DS2 to A&E last night. He had a gaping gash to the back of his head, was shaking, clothes soaked in blood (he is just 5 BTW). He also had purple spots all over his eyes from the pressure. The woman on A&E reception said she'd put him on the 'minor injuries' list just so he'd be seen quicker.

After a while DH went to ask how long, they said 5 people in front of us. Different woman so he explained the situation. By now DS2 was falling asleep and we were desperately trying to keep him awake. This woman said she'd speak to 'medical staff'.

Sat and waited. Adults with little burns, holding their wrists, bruises etc came through door and were seen in an hour.

By now I was fuming and went up to reception desk again. Explained situation and asked why all these people were being seen before him (twas midnight by now!). Was told it was because we were on the 'minor injuries' list and it takes longer!!!

I then asked why and she said she would get a doctor. A doctor came, told us off when we said he'd done it 3.5 hours ago. I told him we'd been there for over 3 hours. He looked totally shocked, cut my poor babies hair and 'glued' him back together.

AIBU to write a letter to the hospital asking them to explain their procedure??

thats really bad, YA most definitly NBU. you should complain so it doesnt happen again. children and head injuries should be priorities

when i fell down the stairs with DS1 (aged 2wks old) we went straight to A&E as he had a nose blood. the receptionist said to take a seat and "someone will be with you soon". a could of people went in before us and this wonderful drunken old man kicked up s**t screaming at the receptionist for not taking the baby in first. in the end she called the doctor to take us in straight away just to shut the drunk up. I asked why he wasnt seen the minute we walked through the door and the response was that he wasnt crying by that point so it wasnt critical he had a fractured skull

to thegreat escape im not saying they are all like that and im sorry if u felt i was attacking and affending anyone that was not want i was doing i personal had a bad experiance with a medical person with my son and my thoughts were that they were their to help but he didnt and has put my son though pain which they could of prevented.

surprisenumber3 did you get a reply from the hospital?

YANBU. There is a childrens casualty in our local A&E and all chidren and young people under 18 are sent straight there.

That sounds very unusual. We've always been seen and dealt with within the hour with gashed heads on children. I think you may have slipped through the net. If this happens again, it may be worth pointing out at reception that you are still waiting.

I am new to this site, but reading your message took me back to when my eight year old son had to be taken to A&E in Scotland for a nasty gash to his forehead and a broken arm after falling off his bike. It was a Friday night and we sat 5 hours in the A&E. We did see a triage nurse, but she said "He's not bleeding and does not seem to be in any great danger". Meanwhile the A&E filled up with drunken teens who had been in a street fight and they were all attended to in a matter of minutes. All the while I sat with my child on my lap in great pain and bleeding. When I wrote to the NHS, there reply was short of "If you dont like it go to
a private hospital. All my smpathies to you.

Op that sounds awful, I hope your DS is feeling better.

We had to take DD in to A&E on Saturday after she fell at the local boating lake and gashed her forehead open. Lots of blood and what not, she is 15mo and we were seen within a matter of minutes. DD was given pain relief and bandaged up to help stop the bleeding before they could 'glue' her up. We were in and out in a matter of 1.5 hours. Very good service and I have written to thank them.

DD was seen twice in A&E last week and once at the out of hours GP service at the hospital and they have all been very good.