"Paediatric Care"

My son had been suffering with a fever for 15 days (triggered by an initial chest infection then tonsillitis) before we were referred by our GP to ward 19 for further investigation. Upon entry to Ward 19, I felt the doctor who reviewed my son had no interest in my son or what my GP had referred us up for. They attempted to send us home without any support whatsoever. However, I advocated strongly for my son (which I shouldn't have to do) and was able to ensure he had blood tests done. His tests came back showing elevated levels of infection, which we were aware of from his severe tonsillitis. The doctor discharged us with no further support and my son still having a high temperature. 

The following day my son's condition had deteriorated and he was extremely lethargic, temperature above 40 degrees and he was in considerable pain. I took him back to ward 19 where the doctor admitted us to ward 20 and started IV antibiotics. 

IV antibiotics are supposed to be given every 6 hours. However, they decided to ignore the 6 hour timescale and move his next dose to midnight, as this suited the routine on the ward. Midnight came and went and nobody appeared to administer my son's IV antibiotics that were already 3 hours late. My husband asked for somebody to administer his antibiotics at soon after this and nobody appeared until an hour later - now 4 hours past when his antibiotics were due. 

At this point, the nurse claimed that the cannula wasn't working and that a doctor would be required for them to proceed further. My son was not seen by a doctor until after 2 hours later, now 12 hours past his initial dose of IV antibiotics and 6 hours beyond when a dose was due. 

The doctor that we had initially seen in ward 19 on the first day attempted to place a cannula on a sleeping 3 year old, not once, not twice but four attempts, all of which failed. My son, as you can imagine, became incredibly distressed and at this stage my husband had to tell them to stop. He was given a dose of oral antibiotics and we were told they would be back in the morning and they would reassess for a cannula 4 hours after this. 

There was clear medical need for IV antibiotics, hence the admission and prescription being made. However, they decided not to proceed with an IV due to the fact that it had been 24 hours since his first dose. 

I found this an absolutely shambolic and traumatising event for my son which seemed to place convenience for staff workload over the basic needs of their patients. I feel they jeopardised my son's health and safety and showed no regard for his mental health and wellbeing. This is a shocking state of affairs for any ward, never mind a paediatric ward where patients are unable to advocate for themselves.