Feeling like a fraud in A&E

[Springbaby2023]

Currently in A&E after GP recommended we come in. Long story short, two year old had a bad bump to his head last Saturday. Seemed absolutely fine other than an almighty lump. No signs of concussion. But last couple of days he’s started developing a black eye (inside corner by nose). Apparently panda eyes can be the sign of a skull fracture so the doctor wouldn’t even see him in person, just sent us straight in.

Feel like a fraud though as he’s absolutely fine in himself and the black eye is very slight. It’s so busy here I feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time. Anyway no point to this really other than I think we’re in for a long wait and I’m bored and checking I’ve not overreached by bringing him in! Poor kid is wondering what’s happening as he’s absolutely fine.

Stay and get him checked out.

You’ve been told to come in by a health professional
you’re not being a fraud
hope your LO is ok

I understand that it's busy and there will be lots of more visibly ill children but for the love of God please don't take your child home without being seen if he has a suspected fractured skull.

Yup, definitely stay

Get him thoroughly checked over. It’s what A&E is there for. You’re not wasting anyone’s time.

If you google it, it says it's usually a sign of skull fracture - so I'd wait to get it properly checked if I were you.

Sorry should say I’ll absolutely be staying, I just feel bad. Even the triage nurse seemed a bit eye roll that the GP sent us here. I would also rather be safe but I just feel like a time waster 🙈

Goodness me, that’s terrifying. Hope he’s ok! Definitely not a time waster.

Well you’re not. I imagine the GP is more highly qualified than the triage nurse.

@MrsSkylerWhite Good point to be fair!

When my son was 16 months, he was jumping/bouncing in his newborn sisters bouncy seat. Kid face planted the floor from it and then got really sleepy and I was like Nope. Went to a&e, newborn and toddler in hand. He was running about the waiting room like nothing was wrong. He was fine, but never feel bad about taking your kid to a&e for anything head related. Always trust your gut too. Hope lo is absolutely fine and you're not waiting too long🤞🏻

@ItsameLuigi My gut is telling me he’s absolutely fine to be fair which is why I feel like a fraud, but I guess my gut can’t see inside his head!

Just think if something did happen and you hadn’t got him checked out, you’d never forgive yourself - it doesn’t matter if he gets the all clear, you can then go home and know that he’s been checked and all is fine.

My husband fainted and dropped to the deck holding my 3 month old. Rang for an ambulance, they wouldn't send us one as she hadn't lost conciousness and told us to go to the walk-in. Walk-in was more worried about my husband than my daughter, but said they couldn't clear my daughter due to her age. So off to A&E we went. Turned out she had a skull fracture. She was absolutely fine but we had to stay for observation for 24 hours. Without the CAT scan, nobody can be sure. So it's best checked. I hope that everything is fine.

If you have a car with you, give your number to reception and stay out there with him. That's what my sister, a gp, does with her kids and what I wished I had done when sent to A&E with my dd. What we left with was way worse than what we came in with. She was so ill for a full week with all the viruses she picked up 😩

We’re out already! Doctor didn’t seem concerned and seemed a bit annoyed the gp had sent us. Oh well would always rather be cautious and great service from A&E. Feel sorry for all the kids still there.

With children and young babies I would always err on the side of caution. But I do understand how you feel. When my youngest was about 4 years old she was admitted overnight with suspected meningitis. The next morning the paediatrician arrived on the ward and asked where she was - she was playing down the corridor with her father. He laughed and said she seemed okay but he was glad we had brought her in to be checked out. I would feel annoyed at the triage nurse rolling her eyes, especially as your GP sent you in.