I received a letter inviting my daughter for the test with no mention of why. I assumed that it was related to her ENT appointment two days later but that appointment letter did not mention the requirement of the test. The ENT appointment was a consultation only for grommets so I did not understand the need for the test. I telephoned both the testing team and ENT to confirm/question if it was really necessary. They said it was but that they only need a cheek test done which would be less uncomfortable for my daughter to have. I questioned about testing the adult who was accompanying my daughter but was told as adults can wear masks then it was unnecessary.
I took my daughter to the drive through testing site for her test and was told that she needed to be swabbed up her nose or the back of her throat. My daughter had a meltdown and covered her face with her arms sobbing. Despite the many efforts by myself and the very kind and helpful staff member trying to get her to let us take the test then we had to give up.
The staff member spoke to her team and a lead nurse came out to speak to me and phoned ENT dept to confirm that we could abandon the test and as she was under 5 that one was not necessary. It was a lot of stress for me, my daughter and the staff to try to carry out the test which I feel was unnecessary.
"Covid swab test for my 4 year old daughter"
About: North Devon District Hospital / Covid swabbing unit North Devon District Hospital Covid swabbing unit EX31 4JB Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) / Ear, Nose and Throat Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) Ear, Nose and Throat EX2 5DW Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) / Paediatrics Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) Paediatrics EX2 5DW
Posted by Parentofa4yr (as ),
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