"Awful A&E experience with my son"

My little boy, who has only just turned three, suffered a severe fall and broke his arm. As any mother would, I rushed him straight to A&E. Given it was a weekday evening, I was surprised at how busy the department was, but I assumed we would be seen quickly given his age and that he was in significant pain and visibly distressed.

We waited for 1.5 hours before being seen by a triage nurse, who gave him paracetamol and sent us for an X-ray. Afterwards, we were sent back to the waiting room where we sat for another 4.5 hours. During this time, there was no offer of further pain relief or even a place where my son could lie down and be more comfortable. No communication whatsoever. He continued to cry in pain, and despite my best efforts to comfort him, it became increasingly difficult. It was heartbreaking to watch.

To make matters worse, several intoxicated individuals entered the department, behaving aggressively and swearing, yet they were seen before my three year old. I later found out they were occupying a bed that could have been used for my son. I find this occurence appalling.

Finally, at 2am — six and a half hours after arriving — a senior consultant exam

ined him, prescribed stronger pain relief, and arranged for a cast. At 3am we were told we'd be transferred to the children's ward to rest until morning. However, instead of being taken straight there, we were left waiting in a corridor for a porter who I later discovered had not been called. It wasn’t until I raised concerns with a nurse at 5am (2 hours later!) that anything was done. 

My son, now visibly traumatised by the entire experience, was in desperate need of rest and a place he could be made comfortable. It is deeply upsetting that even after nine hours in A&E, he still hadn't received the basic support he needed, a bed. I tried my best to hold him tightly and comfort him, whilst also supporting his arm. My only alternative was a plastic chair. No child should ever have to endure such prolonged pain and distress, especially in a hospital.

Once we were transferred to the children’s ward, the difference was immediate and remarkable. The nurses were outstanding. They not only ensured my son was comfortable and properly cared for, but they also looked after me — by then utterly exhausted and emotionally drained. At 8am, a consultant informed us that my son would need surgery. The support we received from the ward nurses was heartwarming. They took time to explain everything clearly, helped prepare us both, and truly went above and beyond.

The kindness and care we received in the children’s ward helped ease a very traumatic experience. But I remain deeply concerned about the standard of care in the A&E department. There were available side rooms and beds that could have been offered to help ease my son’s pain and help make it a lot less traumatic. The lack of action and prioritisation is not acceptable, particularly when it involves a young child in severe, visible pain.

I worry about how the delay may have affected his injury, and I know for certain it’s left emotional scars on both of us. Children deserve better than this.