From MNHQ: Message from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health about sick children during COVID-19

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello,

The RCPCH has sent the following message and we wanted to share it.

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is concerned that sick children are not being seen by health professionals early enough because of the COVID-19 pandemic and could become seriously ill. Paediatricians have reported a small but worrying number of cases where children may have become very unwell or even died because they were not treated until it was too late.

Doctors from the RCPCH are advising parents or carers to connect with a healthcare professional as soon as possible if they are worried about their child.

The College has said there are many reasons why children may not be seen in this period, including:

• Parents thinking the ‘stay at home’ advice means they shouldn’t take their children to be examined
• Difficulty getting through on the phone to GP surgeries or to 111
• Parents concerned about their children becoming infected with COVID-19 in healthcare settings
• Parents ‘not wanting to bother’ busy NHS staff
• Assuming a child’s fever to be COVID-19 when it’s a symptom of something else

The RCPCH stressed that there are a number of symptoms which can be signs of serious illness and which should not be ignored, as well as other symptoms which may need to be monitored in case they become serious later. The College highlighted online information available to guide parents, such as the ‘traffic light’ system for checking symptoms and the NHS guidance on fever in children.

Professor Russell Viner, President of the RCPCH, said:

“During the coronavirus crisis, parents and carers up and down the country have been doing the right thing by keeping children with minor ailments at home and we thank you for your help. But if your child is very unwell, we want to see them – we don't want you to wait and we don’t want you to worry. Get in touch with your GP or call 111.

“If you are concerned and can’t get through on the phone, the NHS is there for you as it always has been. Talk with your GP or, if very worried, go to a local urgent care centre or to A&E. Hospitals have measures in place to help protect you and your child from COVID-19.”

Dr Mike Linney, Registrar at the RCPCH, said:

“Some children will get COVID-19 but many won’t or won’t be very unwell even if they do. If you are worried about your child – even if their symptoms sound like COVID – it could be something else. The chances are, it won’t be serious but, although the NHS is at the busiest time in its history, we would rather you ‘bothered us’ with your concerns so that we can reassure you or give your child the help they may need.”

Useful advice here, thanks. But GP surgeries ARE NOT closed contrary to previous posts above. We are doing majority telephone and video consultation ( as advised nationally that 97% or more consults should be remote) but where I work we have a “hot room”’set up to examine children with a fever but unlikely COVID related. Our door is locked, yes, but intercom in place to allow controlled access. We are answering triage calls fairly quickly.
Please don’t bash us even more people. Especially our secondary care colleagues. You’ve no idea what it’s been like working with half a compliment of GPs due to a grossly understaffed primary care for months even before this crisis.
We will use our clinical judgement to decide who to assess in more detail. We wont always get it right, but most of us are trying bloody hard. And I don’t know any GP who won’t safety net to say call back if you have concerns that symptoms are worse, in which case we’ll reassess. #bekind

Youngest son (14) has lost hearing in one ear, i don't want to bother our local surgery with it but it's got to the point where I have to literally stand next to his ear and shout to communicate.He was crying with pain with it a couple of days ago, cue us having to phone local tesco pharmacy for a spray which did help. He can't hear at all with that ear now. I just expect to be met with contempt when I phone the surgery later today.
We all realise the strain and don't want to be a bother but what else can we do? 🤷‍♀️

On the back of this thread I've just checked and or local hospital has on its website that it's allowing one parent with sick children (preferably the same parent each time), in line with government guidelines. That's really reassuring.

I work in paeds. No child would be declined a parent staying even covid+
We are weirdly quiet right now. Children aren't seemingly affected by covid19 In the same way as adults. There is a train of thought because they are home they aren't spreading the usual germs amongst each other like the germ spreaders they normally are. So aren't getting poorly. But I'm sure some are scared to bring children to hospitals
However we are open to all patients, children can and will be assessed safety and with increased measures eg we all wear masks, aprons and gloves for everyone to protect them and us. It is limited to one parent and no visitors for everyone's safety.
.

My GP was not at all interested in my child who displayed two of the red warnings. We had a telephone appt and she told me what she thought it wasn’t then literally said “ok, take care bye” before even establishing if he was now ok etc.

When my child started with cough and high temp I followed advice and as I have a chronic lung condition I went into isolation a few weeks ago.

I work in a nursing home, and when I spoke to my line manager to explain, it could of been Covid19 or something else, but as i had no way of knowing for certain it was a risk I was not prepared to take. I was told that the virus does not affect children, and what a lousy person i was for letting them down.

They would of been happy for me to go in to work, possibly infectious with whatever and the potential to infect the entire home. My concerns were dismissed and i was over reacting, just to have a work break and have been guilt tripped ever since.

Think i will look for another job stacking shelves with no responsibility for minimum wage

I know parents who have bought medical supplies and intend to treat as much as possible at home including possible closed fractures and one even got hold of a suturing kit. ( having watched my medic mates do this many years ago.... no thanks)
I think there is fear of catching CV if you go to hospital and also fear of children being taken away and possibly, by extension, being left to die alone.
I would only take my child to hospital now if I thought it was a life threatening emergency. I’d hope not to leave it too late but GPS and 111 are too busy to help us make the decision as to when something is critical. Parents will get it wrong.

Nobody’s child is going in a van alone. The fear spread by that stupid meme will kill people www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/bprs_management_of_children_admitted_to_hospital_with_covid19_-_20200319.pdf

Sorry - wrong link there www.factcheck.org/2020/03/meme-misleads-on-hospital-visits-to-children-with-covid-19/

It's not just a 'meme'. It has been well documented on the news (Radio 4) that children have died alone from covid-19 in the UK because hospitals were following the adult guidance.

It may have been speculated that "children die alone" but a) there have only been (thankfully) a couple of deaths in children and b) even with covid 19, parents are encouraged to visit /stay with some limitations re moving around the ward /using communal kitchens etc.

Very rarely if a child on intensive care deteriorates unexpectedly or rapidly there may not be time for parents to get there.

Please be reassured that if your child is unwell you should bring them to hospital and will be able to stay with them.

That was certainly not the case for Ismail Mohammed Abdulwahab (13).

His family were very clear that the reason he died alone was that they weren't allowed to be with him due to Covid-19.

If placed in that horrible situation (and again, I'm not convinced it is happening), I'd far rather DD were in hospital alone and given a chance than dying at home with her medically clueless parents!

So are you saying Ismail Mohammed Abdulwahab's family were making it up?! Surely the testimony of a bereaved family is evidence enough? Especially as the facts of the case as stated by them have not been in any way disputed by the NHS or the hospital?

I haven't read a single word from that poor family, and if they're saying that's what happened, then I'm not doubting them.

However, events are moving quickly and most trusts have now made absolutely clear that sick children are allowed a parent with them in all circumstances. Perhaps that wasn't always the case, or perhaps his trust hasn't been able to take that step for whatever reason.

There will also sadly have always been cases where patients were unable to have family with them for whatever reason - logistics, the medics needing space to work etc.

I don't think any parent should be making the decision to keep a very sick child at home because of one (very, very sad) case.

Surely reading their testimony would have been wise before posting then?! This is not in any way the same as parents being unable to be there for personal reasons, so please don't deliberately confuse the two. It should not be left up to individual trusts to decide. The government needs to make it absolutely clear that children must be allowed a parent with them, if they genuinely want to put minds at rest.

Does anyone know what age children are specified as children? Is 16 or 18 the adult changeover?

On monday, I rang the drs about my daughters suspected ear infection. The receptionist said the drs were all doing telephone appointments and that to expect a call that afternoon. The dr did call and prescribed penicillin, she even sent it directly to my nearest chemist. I was able to run and get it before they closed! It was marvellous how quickly we were seen, and treated really.

Does anyone ever think that coronavirus is not real? Does it ever cross your mind?
What if it wasn't ...
Lots of conspiracy theories going around .
But does anyone actually think that everyone everywhere is being completely brainwashed?

Nope

Yeah, no.

I sent photos of an injury to my GP, the nurse called back and asked me to bring my DS in.
They did question if I had another child. Which I guessed was don't bring the other kid if you don't need to.