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It felt a bit sad and boring

Posted By Kid Age 7

"It felt a bit sad and boring"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

When I was in the waiting room, it felt a bit sad and boring. I think it would be better if there were fun things to do for kids like me – like colouring books, toys, posters on the wall, or a bookshelf with loads of books for different ages. That would help us feel less scared and make the time go faster.

I had to wait for five hours and nobody came to check on me to see if I was okay or if I needed a drink, food, medicine or even an ice lolly. My ankle was really sore and swollen, and no one gave me a cool pack before the doctor saw me. That would have helped a lot.

I liked when the nurse talked to me and asked me what happened. That made me feel important. My mummy helped when I felt upset and scared. Some loud shouting in the corridors made me a bit frightened, but the nurse in room 1 was nice.

The lady at x-ray was kind too. She let my mummy stay with me,and put a big apron on my mummy, I liked seeing the picture of my ankle. It still hurt and I was really brave even though I cried a bit. I liked when the doctor showed me my x-ray and told me how to help my foot heal.

I never got a sticker for being brave. I think other kids would feel better too if someone came to check on us, gave us a sticker, and said kind things while we wait.

Thank you to all the nurses and doctors who helped me. You are kind and I think if the waiting room was a happier place, it would help kids not be so scared.

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Responses

Response from Pamela Gibson, Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 2 weeks ago
Pamela Gibson
Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Monitor stories and provide administration for NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Submitted on 11/06/2025 at 07:57
Published on Care Opinion at 07:57

picture of Pamela Gibson

Hi Kid Age 7

As adults, we don’t often see the things that our younger patients notice so it’s great that you took the time to let us know how you felt when you were in our Emergency Department – thank you.

We do have a special area just for children which is in a different part of the Department. There are 2 rooms in this area which are brightly decorated with some toys and where younger patients and their parents can wait together away from the main waiting area. We also have specialist children’s nurses to look after our younger patients there.

You don’t say what time you were in the Department, but just now the children’s area is open every day from quarter to 9 in the morning until quarter past 9 at night. When it is closed our younger patients have to wait in the main waiting area. We would like to have the children’s area open even longer and we will use your feedback to let other people know what it is like for children who have to wait in the main waiting area.

I am glad that the nurse who asked you what happened, the lady in x-ray and the doctor were all nice to you and took some time to speak with you and your mummy. We will share your feedback with all of the other staff in the Department so they know that the little things can make a big difference to our young patients when they’re hurt and in pain.

We know that our Emergency Department can be a scary place to attend when you are not feeling 100% and we will try our best to make it better for our younger patients with the help of the suggestions you gave us in your feedback

I hope your ankle is better now

Pamela

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