"Health visitors and GP"

I have a 6 week old baby with a really bad milk allergy who has been constipated and in severe pain for over 4 weeks now and the health visiting team in Downpatrick have been amazing specifically Lyndsy who came out to do a baby massage lessons for 4 weeks which was so helpful and really helped my daughter. She was kind and patient and very comforting as both my daughter and I were very stressed.

I also had a great experience with Michaela who made a house call to myself on a day my daughter was particularly inconsolable as I couldn’t get her settled enough to speak on the phone. She was amazing and so helpful with her advice and guidance and to be honest just good support as she just sat and listened to my concerns I really felt she took me seriously.

I couldn’t say enough good things about these two ladies and how great they are at their jobs.

Unfortunately I can not say the same regarding the GP as I made two visits  regarding how unwell my daughter was. I was refused an allergy milk initially over the phone by a receptionist as a dr wouldn’t speak to me and forced to an and e with a 4 week old baby even though I have a large family history of milk intolerance and was prescribed it immediately when seen by a paediatrician who said it was obvious she had a cows milk allergy.

I felt the dr I saw was dismissive and rude, told me my daughter didn’t have an allergy even though they had never met her and didn’t examine her. He took one look in the pram and said that she was fine and that -babies just cry. Even though my daughter had every symptom plus a visible rash. I also stated I thought she may have reflux due to constant crying and rigid body after a bottle as well as vomitting to which the doctor sniggered at me and rolled his eyes. He stated I should let my child sleep in the car seat over night as this would help even though this would be a massive safety concern considering she can’t keep her head up yet.

He reluctantly prescribed me omeprazole and said sure I will prescribe this and hopefully it changes your babies life and you don’t have to deal with the crying. I stated it wasn’t the crying that upset me but the fact she was in sever pain. He also didn’t know how much to prescribe me telling me to give her 5ml and if needed the whole 10ml split in two doses.

I was not content with this advice so spoke to a nurse in the family who calculated the dose based on her weight of 8p 1oz and she was only meant to take a max dose of 3.5 a day. I’m completely horrified at the the advice and treatment of the dr I saw and have requested never to be seen by him again especially if he is going to prescribe inaccurate medication doses for an infant.

Both of my visits I came out very upset and in my opinion he treated me like an over anxious mother with a perfectly healthy child which is clearly not the case based on her symptoms and diagnoses from an actual paediatrician.

I could say more but I think I have made my point on how unprofessional this dr is. I would very much like this looked in to and hope that no other mother or child is treated like this in future.