"Experience of a parent on the Paediatric Ward"

My son was sent to peads a&e by the GP where we waited for 9 hours to be told he needed intravenous fluids when I had asked for this constantly over the hours we were there. Of the 10 hours we were in PDU we were not once just checked on to see if we were ok or to tell us what the delay was. We had to ask for information all the time.  They attended to do basic observations but that was all. They asked me to do a fluid challenge but did not follow up how that was going to realise that he was barely drinking at all. The department was not full and the nurses were stood at the desk talking about their personal lives. It would not have taken much to just pop their head in. At the end of their shift they did not even say goodbye or inform us of the change of the staff. I am a midwife and I know how these small gestures can go a long way.

Once on ward 3 we were not given a jug of water. I asked the nurse where I could get some water and she said the parent kitchen at the other end of the ward. My 2 year old son was clearly distressed and I couldn't leave him and I told the nurse this to which she said nothing. I then said to my son that "it didnt matter. Mummy will do without. I dont need water.  I'll stay with you." The nurse still did not offer to bring water. After being in PDU for 10 hours you could think this would be one of the first things to think of in patient care/experience. In contrast the day staff nurse was fantastic, and bought a jug of water and breakfast immediately without question or stress. She made a so far horrid experience much more bearable.I want to thank her. Please could you pass this on. She was on the day shift on ward 3 I am one of the last people to want to complain about our beloved NHS as I know how hard we all work but I just feel so let down by the lack of communication in PDU and basic compassion in ward 3. I wasn't asking for much or anything out of the ordinary.