"Livingston St John’s Children’s Ward"

Our son took unwell very suddenly.  Initially seen at out of hours, we were checked and at the time no major concerns and went home with instructions to call if anything changed. Things changed later and quickly, NHS24 immediately sent an ambulance to check him over. 

After a short wait to be triaged in a&e we were seen by the doctors and very quickly a diagnosis and plan of action was put in place.  Immediately sent for a CT scan and within a very short time of arriving on the children’s ward we were met with Paediatricians, ENT and Opthamology. Our son was in surgery shortly after that. 

Every person we came into contact with that day could not have been kinder to our son and ourselves. Everything was explained to us in detail. He spent a few hours in recovery, again with nothing but the best care from everyone. 

Our son was then an inpatient on the children’s ward for the next 5 days. Every single member of staff who entered our room (from all professions) gave us all the best care. I’d list all their names but would hate to miss someone out.  Nothing was too much trouble, there were no silly questions. Just kindness, laughs and the best of care for a very poorly wee boy and his exhausted parents. 

We spent a further 9 days as day patients attending the ward on a daily basis for IV antibiotics. We were always met with smiles and familiar faces.  Everyone knew us, knew our son and his likes and dislikes by this time. 

I cannot fault our care over the 2 weeks, endless observations, cannulas and IVs, listening to a worried parents concerns.  Listening to our son and making every procedure as pain and worry free as they possible could.