"Deemed as anxious first time young parents"

Recently my 1.5 year old developed a persistent cough, fever & loss of appetite. I contacted NHS 111. They got us an out of hours GP appointment. He was briefly examined and told it was viral, nothing could be done except some Calpol and if it got worse go back. Oxygen was checked whilst awake only (key to this story). 

The next day:  no real change in symptoms. Not eaten any solids. Still breastfeeding. Very clingy. 

The third day: son woke up at 8:30 with a continuous coughing episode and showing some signs of struggling. Still within GP appointment booking hours (opened 15 mins prior) I called GP to be told there were no appointments left and to try again the next day. Not satisfied with this I called 111 for advice. He was assessed and told he needed to be seen by the GP that same day. Report was sent to GP. GP again refused to see him as they were at capacity and advised us to go to Wishaw A&E.

Decided to go to Monklands as this was closer and wasn't sure why Wishaw was advised (now aware it's due to paediatric team). Monklands were fantastic generally, had us in and out in under 4 hours. Unfortunately all stats were still taken whilst he was awake and none asleep. They did work very well with what they had - a grumpy, unwell and upset toddler who didn't know what was going on. Was sent home with a throat spray and told to keep fluids up/Calpol. Still not eating solids, continuing to breastfeed. Still very off. 

Following 2 days: I was out most of the Tuesday, partner had son and told me he didn't eat anything or drink much throughout the day, slept most of the day and was very lethargic. Partner picked me up and we headed straight to Wishaw A&E, got there around 6:30pm. Triage told us it would be a 7 hour wait. They wanted to check his OBS again as they weren't too happy, was hard to get an accurate picture as he was so distressed.

We got through well before the 7 hour wait (maybe 3.5?) and he had all of his OBS done. His awake oxygen was sitting around 93-95. He was very tired though and soon dropped off to sleep. His oxygen levels dropped below 90 and stayed there the whole time he was asleep. They could also hear crackles in his chest. They wanted to start antibiotics on him as well - they admitted him to Ward 19 for further assessment as they weren't happy with his oxygen levels. We took him up and his oxygen levels still were below 92 the whole time, except when he was awake and it was 94/95.

Within an hour he was seen by three members of staff, including 2 doctors who both said they could not hear crackles in his chest (these crackles had been heard by us without a stethoscope and by the consultant downstairs). He was told he did not need antibiotics and he was discharged based on his awake oxygen levels of 94/95. There was no check or further monitoring of his sleeping oxygen levels. We were very stressed and trusted that the doctors were making the right decision. Was told it was bronchiolitis (not given any info or leaflet on this). We went home around 2am after only an hour on ward 19. Told we had open access to the ward for a certain time.

Thursday: son woke up continuously coughing for 20 minutes, not quite gasping but working hard to breathe. Called ward 19 and was told to bring him in. The staff were fantastic, onto a cot bed straight away, OBS done. His oxygen was 99-100 whilst awake. He still hadn't eaten so had his blood sugar done (which he had done at Monklands and Wishaw). Told the episode was likely due to the mucous build up in his sleep. I expressed my concern about his sleeping oxygen and when he fell asleep they noticed his oxygen levels did drop, as I had expected. He was below 92 and they stated that they couldn't discharge him on a sleeping oxygen level that low. It wasn't low enough for oxygen support but would be enough for admission to ward 20.

Luckily after some extended observations he managed to get his oxygen up to a suitable level and we did get home. Both doctors that listened to his chest could clearly hear crackles in his chest. Was told it was bronchiolitis, was told what to look out for, when to come back, given the leaflet and was told we could have him monitored for longer if it would reassure us. 

Although at the time I was happy with how well Monklands treated my son, I believe his sleeping oxygen levels should have been checked. I am also very disappointed with our experience on Ward 19 as I believe his sleeping oxygen levels of <90 should have been picked up and he should've been admitted to ward 20 for safety. Instead we were brushed off and it felt as if they didn't believe we should've been admitted to ward 19 in the first place. As youngish parents I am often unsure whether this is just the state of the health services just now or if it's because we are deemed as anxious first time young parents.