"Chest infection with toddler"

My 18 month developed a cough and breathing difficulties at nursery. I called GP practice for an appointment at 3pm and was given one for 4.30pm. I thought it was great to be offered an appointment so quickly (and this was before I said how old he was and I didn't provide details of his condition). Was seen by GP who checked him over and felt he needed to be admitted to hospital due to breathing and heart rate and high temp. The GP was caring and methodical despite having a distressed toddler to see. A telephone referral was made to paediatric A&E and instructions provided to me on how to get there. Felt the ease of transfer was good considering this was a GP in Northumberland and a Hospital in Newcastle. Arrived at A&E and was seen quickly  by a triage nurse. Then quickly moved to short stay for assessment. Despite being very busy, it was clear there was an efficient way of dealing with the volume. Nurses doing obs in waiting area meant not having to move little boy again and again. Felt there was a good rapport between doctors and nursing staff. Doctor I saw was very thorough and clearly explained what she was going to do and why. Overall an excellent response from both organisations. 

Only points to raise - access to food for Little boy. We had come straight from nursery to GP to hospital so I had limited supplies with me. Being on my own and my little boy being seen fairly frequently I didn't feel I could leave the waiting area to get food. He ended up sharing some crisps and chocolate (not the best meal) with another little boy in the waiting room. I also left the RVI at 9.30pm and didn't feel too safe leaving the hospital. It was a long and quiet (not many staff and corridors felt dimly lit) walk back through the hospital to the main entrance and there were a number of people around the main entrance smoking.