Scaremongering threads about children - RCPCH have responded to worrying Twitter claims

[NaughtipussMaximus]

The RCPCH have responded to reassure parents and refute the claims on twitter and elsewhere about increased numbers of children with serious covid19 in ICUs. Please, if you’re worried about your children, read this and feel better. And if you’re one of the ones perpetuating unsubstantiated reports to further an agenda, please get in the sea.

www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-responds-media-reports-increased-admissions-children-young-people-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR0To78ci_Ra9CXHCAV3pM91MO31zfcpmMlcfxi9-ozdtwPu9n9xE54dPc4

The quote from Laura Duffel I can find is

“It’s very different. That’s what makes it so much scarier for us as doctors, nurses and porters and everyone else who is working on the front line.

“We have children who are coming in. It was minimally affecting children in the first wave... we now have a whole ward of children here and I know that some of my colleagues are in the same position, where they have a whole ward of children with Covid.”

So from this, she is describing that there are a lot of children who have covid on her ward; and she has colleagues in a similar situation, also with a lot of children with covid on their ward.

However, this is very anecdotal; if this is just 2 wards throughout London then to could be that she is describing her experience on the wards, but it doesn't translate to raised figures overall.

There has been discussion in recent days of NHS staff being told that they can't speak to the media, and I can see why there is concern about worrying the public.

However, it also would concern me if whistleblowers weren't allowed to speak publicly if they are worried about the situation they see in front of them. I hope that we get facts and figures about this issue (and I hope that they are reassuring)

rather to a few bad actors

So just posing as concerned parents? Exactly how did you discern this?

@herecomesthsun but that was the whole point of the RCPCH statement!

I had a look on twitter and she sounds just like a lot of nurses I know. Union member, but that's not unusual.

Unfortunately it is recognised that this wave is affecting children in a way that the first wave did not. That is concerning and it should be. Deeply concerning. How dare you pretend to be disgusted by people who you have dismissed as 'not parents". Believe me, your views do not mark you out as a parent but no one is suggesting you're a bad actor.

@herecomesthsun she’s not a whistleblower- she’s wrong.
We definitely haven’t been told we can’t speak to the media in my trust. As to being reassured - what more do you want? 4 paediatricians in the largest paeds depts in London have said its not true.

[quote JedwoodDeadwood]@herecomesthsun but that was the whole point of the RCPCH statement! [/quote]
That we can respect the individual experience of frontline staff, while critically appraising the evidence and awaiting government stats that throw light on what is actually happening?

I think we can all agree that the government has shown itself to be less than transparent and it is highly suspicious that NHS staff cannot speak freely. This may be standard practice but it shouldn't be a thing unless there is a gap between reality and spin. I welcome anecdotal accounts from all front line workers, if only because their stories deserve to be heard and they're considerably more able and reliable than anyone in government.

It’s not true. I know the admissions stats for beds. I have repeatedly said since yesterday that this wasn’t correct. Why are you choosing to believe her over other frontline workers plus paediatricians?

We have facts and figures up to the end of December. Just go check them out on the government site. If you don't understand them talk to the data and statistics thread they will explain them to you. Even better read there thread then you may stop trying to drip feed this tripe.

The facts and figures are constantly changing but so far hospital admissions for children are not significantly up in anyway.

Also if there are children in hospital with covid the majority are likely to be there for other reasons. They just have a positive test for covid too.

Do your own research.

[quote Pomegranatespompom]@herecomesthsun she’s not a whistleblower- she’s wrong.
We definitely haven’t been told we can’t speak to the media in my trust. As to being reassured - what more do you want? 4 paediatricians in the largest paeds depts in London have said its not true.[/quote]
So

• she was talking about her experience (I can respect that)

• the paediatricians said that this is not their perspective on the matter (and I respect that too)

• however we don't have actual stats in the comments I've seen.

One doctor said that wasn't his experience after being on call over the weekend - that is also anecdotal.

Another doctor said it is a "population data issue" whether transmission is increased in children. So we are awaiting the data (and I'll be interested to see it.

I am not entirely reassured by Prof Viner's comments as his comments in recent months often have aged badly (ie opinion shifts in the opposite direction)

So I am reserving judgement, which seems the most sensible thing in the circumstances, and I'll see what the stats say in the fullness of time.

inews.co.uk/news/uk/no-significant-pressure-from-new-covid-19-strain-on-childrens-wards-say-paediatricians-815513

@herecomesthsun

I had a look on twitter and she sounds just like a lot of nurses I know. Union member, but that's not unusual.

Don't get your facts off Twitter

You sound very desperate to believe this.

Why?

Or are you desperate for other people to believe it?

@Pomegranatespompom

It’s not true. I know the admissions stats for beds. I have repeatedly said since yesterday that this wasn’t correct. Why are you choosing to believe her over other frontline workers plus paediatricians?

I'm not. I'm reserving judgement.

The frontline stories in the press are all anecdotal and the stats aren't discussed in the accounts I've seen.

I'm very happy to evaluate the evidence when I see it.

I really hope people are not feeling more anxious.
I will see if there is any data I can share from my trust.
I hope people can weigh up a few comments on Twitter from 1 person which has since been refuted by many people.

I'm not desperate to believe her. I want to critically appraise the evidence for myself.

I only looked on twitter after a lot of people said they had looked on twitter on this thread and were disparaging this person.

She sounds like every senior nurse I ever worked with.

Why are you all bashing her?

We have facts and figures up to the end of December.

You do realise there's a new strain and the picture has changed??? It will quickly become dominant and we don't have data for that, only modelling which isn't pretty? and doctors on their knees in tears which isn't pretty either

hope people can weigh up a few comments on Twitter from 1 person which has since been refuted by many people

Did you really think that was the only reason why people are anxious? Consultants are terrified. Parents are worried for many other reasons.

Bashing - Lordy feel like I’ve stepped into a school thread.
She has been irresponsible and unprofessional.
She definitely doesn’t sound like a senior nurse - I know quite a few !

@Satsumatrifle

Unfortunately it is recognised that this wave is affecting children in a way that the first wave did not. That is concerning and it should be. Deeply concerning. How dare you pretend to be disgusted by people who you have dismissed as 'not parents". Believe me, your views do not mark you out as a parent but no one is suggesting you're a bad actor.

It is recognised that the new variant is transmitting to children better but still equal to how it transmits to adults.

So far there is no evidence or sign that it effects children any more than other variants.

It is the spread of the spreading that is the new danger. Children will be more at risk if the NHS is overwhelmed. However only because if they need medical help they won't get it.

Not all Consultants are terrified.
More scaremongering.

I don't think it's a good idea to share Trust data. If you have a link to recent stats (?ONS) for paediatric admissions then why don't you put that and anyone who wants to can take a look?

truly

It is the spread of the spread?

The word you're looking for is affects.

Are you actually a man? If not, well done on the mansplaining!

I agree with some of what you've said, I've just said it several times tonight already so not really feeling it.

I obviously wouldn’t share anything inappropriate. I really don’t need to be patronised by you.

I give up. Some posts are causing needless anxiety.

Did I say all? No.

Mongering. Hmmm. It seems to be a certain type of person who uses this word, with a very specific agenda.

I wonder why you're not interested in hearing from the swathes of desperate consultants in the media this week. The entitled audacity to dismiss the accounts of professionals you would rely on and expect to save you, were this little slice of chaos to visit your home. .

@Satsumatrifle

We have facts and figures up to the end of December.

You do realise there's a new strain and the picture has changed??? It will quickly become dominant and we don't have data for that, only modelling which isn't pretty? and doctors on their knees in tears which isn't pretty either

We have hospital admissions data and shows this whole kids thing is crap.

Up until the end of December the new variant hasn't proved itself to be worse for kids.

I am not saying it won't suddenly strike everyones first born son in January or February. However so far it is just a rapid spreader.

The Road Runner of covid mutations. Dangerous to the same people as before.