"Trying to get my daughter treatment"

My 10yr old daughter was born at 25 weeks gestation along with a history of low flo oxygen and asthma. We called NHS 24 in the evening to seek advice with my daughters symptoms (constant cough, slight wheeze, fast heartbeat, fever and restless). After a 3 hour wait on the phone to then have very blunt call we were told to wait for another call.  The other call stated to attend a medical Centre Elgin before midnight. We ordered a taxi (we don’t drive and money isn’t the greatest and this was an expensive call out) to attend the medical centre. My daughter was briefly looked over for 10 mins and presented with a prescription to retrieve in the morning at any local pharmacy. To be then sent outside as we waited for another taxi to get home.

Next day I visited numerous pharmacies to try and get the prescription we were given. None of them however could give me the prescribed treatment. This is due to the prescription being not stamped and not detailed with correct medication. I was advised to call my local GP to get the prescription either altered or to get them to assess my daughter. My husband visited our GP in Elgin and described/told them the situation. They said the prescription couldn’t be altered by them and to call the GP for advice. He then asked could they assess her and give her a prescription that way they replied with no we can’t see her here. Upon coming home we tried several times to contact The GP with no success just advice to attend our local A n E department.

I traveled once again in a taxi to A and E Dr Grays Elgin. Once there I described the situation and why I was there. The receptionist first reaction was that they couldn’t do anything with prescription but take a seat. After a near 2hr wait we were seen by a staff nurse. I once again told my situation for she then snapped at me and said I should have known to call gmeds to get script fixed not attend here. I told her how I went to my gp requesting appointment and they refused. With that she went on to say about how if she rung the medical centre would they clarify my story or am I making it up. I was so distraught and embarrassed that I responded with please can some one just check over my daughter. As she was sitting there constantly coughing and getting very upset.

The staff reluctantly agreed to get her seen and we were told to wait. About 30 mins later a Doctor appeared and asked what was the issue. Once again as before went through the story she said the same thing -can we call our GP to see if it’s true that they refused to see her. She then went on about I should have never attended A n E that is was a waste of there time to expect them to look over my daughter as it’s not what they are there for as my GP is open. They called my GP and they received an apology to why I was wrongly advised and should receive a call about attending my GP or getting treatment for my daughter soon.After the doctor relayed this information she then proceeded to reluctantly check my daughter over quickly over and then to show me the door.

Another taxi ride home and I received a call from my GP. They went on to say that my husband didn’t ask for my daughter to be seen when he attended earlier all he asked was for the script to be amended which due to policy they can’t do. They then went on about how I should have called them earlier and I would have got seen. I was then told that someone will call back to discuss next steps. 15 mins later a nurse practitioner called and once again I had to relay my ordeal with prescription and my daughters symptoms. She replied that I could get seen in next half hour at the surgery. I explained how I wasn’t keen on moving my daughter again as she gets distraught and the coughing gets worst. I then was advised a home visit would be possible and they would attend as soon as they could. Half an hour later the nurse practitioner arrived and checked my daughter over.

Thankfully all her checks was ok nothing to alarming. With her tonsils being slightly inflamed and coughing still not seized she advised a reliever inhaler would be the best thing to try at the moment. She then went on to once again about policy and how they work and how if I stated I wanted her seen this would have been dealt with a lot quicker. Also went on as if I was stupid about giving regular fluid and try encouraging food to try give her energy. I replied I have been doing so but with my daughters coughing it was becoming harder and harder to keep it up. She then left with the advice of call 111 if symptoms get worse. It’s been such an ordeal of a day and my poor daughter still not out the woods yet.

I don’t know how a nurse or doctor can sit there argue with parents as if there stupid and lying as their sick child is sitting there in clear discomfort and distress.