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Care Opinion

Children’s ward red zone

Posted By Almart

"Children’s ward red zone"

About: General practices in Fife NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) Victoria Hospital / Paediatrics

(as a parent/guardian),

On Thursday my son became unwell with a very high temp that wasn’t staying down with medicine. We phoned the GP for advice. They told us to give more pain relief and it would take a few days to settle. By tea time he was still very hot and we ended having to take him to the GP. I was shocked and frightened in there. No patients, GP covered completely in PPE (rightly so), almost no furniture in the room. It was very hard-hitting. They said he had a cold and was ok so back home we went.

By the evening he was still not right. Very listless, his breathing was laboured and faster than normal, he was gurning all the time and I was unable to settle him. It was so unlike him and I was starting to get really concerned. Eventually I phoned 111. Due to his high temp we were put through to the covid lines and they wanted to see him at the covid centre. I was terrified, absolutely panicking myself on that drive to the Victoria - the most horrendous scenarios going through my head.

 The nurses in the covid centre were fantastic. I was shaking and teary but they reassured me and helped me get a mask on and held my son so I could get organised before we entered the building. They could see I was upset and ‘just got it’. It’s amazing how these little things help so much. We were transferred to the red zone which in itself sounds horrific. Not allowed to drive round we were transported by patient ambulance. I was very scared! The paediatric nurse who met us was a friendly face, albeit gowned up. She told me we’d be ok. She doesn’t know how much I needed to hear that right there. The nurses and doctors we saw were so friendly, kind and reassuring. They really did just get how I was feeling - alone on the ward with a sick child potentially with covid. Not once was anything too much trouble. There was never any drama or stress and they always had time to check on me, which was very much appreciated. 

It was the worst 24hrs of my life. I’m so glad that there are so many fantastic people working in our NHS. They are putting others before themselves on the front line to help us all. The mask I had on was terribly uncomfy I’ve no idea how they cope all day in it. Not once did anyone shy away from going near my son despite him being possible covid positive. I applaud you all. The nurses Emily, Ellys, and student Erin were just fab. Thank you NHS. Thank you ladies! ❤️

We are now home. My son is still not right but Covid negative so that’s a bonus. 

It was scary, I’m not going to lie but the staff are amazing in what is a difficult time for everyone. The systems at the Vic were very well organised and executed. They are doing their utmost to keep everyone safe.

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Responses

Response from Aileen Lawrie, Director of Midwifery, Woman and Children's Directorate, NHS Fife 4 years ago
Aileen Lawrie
Director of Midwifery, Woman and Children's Directorate,
NHS Fife

Professional Lead for Midwifery and Nursing in Women and Children's

Submitted on 20/04/2020 at 12:26
Published on Care Opinion at 12:26

Dear Almart, thank you for taking the time to provide us with your thanks to the team, it is greatly appreciated. We are glad that you are home now, however, if you still have concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of your son please do not hesitate to contact your GP again or the open access number you may have been given or the emergency service as we are here to help for all conditions, not only Covid-19. We hope things continue to improve for you all and thank you again for the time you have taken to provide us with your feedback.

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Response from Lynette MacKenzie, Clinical Nurse Manager, Acute Paediatrics and Neonatal Service, Women & Childrens Health, NHS Fife 4 years ago
Lynette MacKenzie
Clinical Nurse Manager, Acute Paediatrics and Neonatal Service, Women & Childrens Health,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 20/04/2020 at 12:34
Published on Care Opinion at 12:34

Hello Almart

Firstly can I say a big "Thank You" for your kind words which mean a lot to us all here.I will make sure that Emily, Ellys and Erin see this post.

We have a great team of Medical and Nursing staff in the Children's Ward and they will all be delighted to read your really positive feedback. It is reassuring to us to hear that the pathways and support we have in place are making a positive difference to children and families going through what can be a very difficult and frightening time.

I hope you son starts to feel much better soon. Please don't forget that if he doesn't seem back to his old self the GP service and ourselves are still here should he need to be seen again

Thank you again for taking the time to write in - it means a lot to the team

Best wishes

Lynette

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Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 4 years ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24

Submitted on 20/04/2020 at 12:46
Published on Care Opinion at 12:46

picture of Shona Lawrence

Dear Almart

Thank you so much for sharing your experience via Care Opinion. You have done this so eloquently and your appreciation for the staff involved in caring for your son, and for you, is clear. It's so good of you to take the time to do this, especially given your little one is still unwell. I hope he is soon doing much better.

This is indeed a stressful time for patients and families, however it is clear the staff at the Victoria Hospital did their best to put you at ease. It sounds as though they are doing a fantastic job and clearly still managing to succeed in providing a positive experience for patients and families, despite the circumstances. I am sure my colleagues within NHS Fife will be delighted to see your positive comments. The three nurses you have mentioned sound fantastic and a huge credit to the NHS.

Here at NHS 24 our staff are working tirelessly to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care at this time. Many calls are being managed via our dedicated Covid line and we are here to assist by providing advice and referral when needed. If you still have concerns, you can always contact your own GP, or NHS 24 on 111 during the Out of Hours period.

Thanks again and best wishes to you both. Many of our staff within NHS 24 read our Care Opinion stories, so I am sure they will be pleased to hear your little one is back home.

Take care

Shona

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