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Care Opinion

Not all kids over 16 are independent

Posted By Jo68

"Not all kids over 16 are independent"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Xrays & Scans

(as a parent/guardian),

Contacted the Xray dept on the advice of my son’s Consultant’s secretary, to try and establish if an appointment had been made/sent out for him. An URGENT referral had been made three weeks earlier. They could tell me the referral was on system and indeed requested as urgent. Put me through to CT suite who refused to take the conversation any further as soon as I mentioned my son’s age. I explained I was aware he is considered an adult (within the NHS) as over 16, was not looking for any clinical info but as I work within the NHS, I need to know how quickly this was progressing and need to facilitate time off work. I have huge concerns currently for his health and how his situation has been handled so far. I explained he is awaiting surgery post this scan and I am getting extremely anxious that this is not progressing.

Problem started in June - here we are in September and no further forward. Cue supervisor who came on the line to tell me abruptly that I have: 

1. No right to any info 

2. I should know better considering my job 

3. They had no way of knowing when this will be done due to huge backlog caused by Covid. 

No compassion shown, no understanding and certainly no manners or professionalism. And definitely no understanding of how socially awkward a 17yr old boy can be. We are in this situation as he has been trying to deal with it himself as I have been prevented from attending any appointments with him including a visit to A&E. As a parent I am appalled. I have referred this back to his consultant and am now penning a formal complaint to the health board regarding the whole episode from start to finish. Not all kids over 16 are independent and able to deal with certain health issues and it’s time the NHS recognised this. As my dependent, he needs my permission for a tattoo but not for surgery, whether it be major or minor...
 
At this moment in time I am not proud to be a part of this system which as far as I am concerned has failed my son badly. 
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Responses

Response from Lisa Marley, Head of Imaging, Medical Imaging, UHC, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 3 years ago
Lisa Marley
Head of Imaging, Medical Imaging, UHC,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Submitted on 13/10/2020 at 12:00
Published on Care Opinion at 16:31

Thanks for your feedback Jo68, as I work in the x-ray department I am only able to respond to the comments you have made regarding that part of your son's journey.

Firstly, apologies for the delay in responding to you - I wanted to speak with a couple of other departments first to make sure the information I am giving you is accurate.

I have spoken with Information Governance regarding the response our staff provided when you enquired about your son's scan, they have clarified we were correct in our decision not to disclose any information. I fully understand the comment you have made regarding your son being "socially awkward" and finding it difficult to deal with this situation himself. In order to move things forward for you and your son, I have obtained a consent form from Health Records for your son to fill out. Once this form is complete and returned to us, we will be happy to speak to you regarding his CT scan.

Please can you email me (lisa.marley@aapct.scot.nhs.uk) and I will forward you the form for your son to complete.

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