This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Delays in managing peanut allergy in 1 year old

Posted By statusry87

"Delays in managing peanut allergy in 1 year old"

About: Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) / Paediatrics Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital (Yorkhill) / Anaphylaxis Service

(as a service user),

My baby suffered a severe allergic reaction to peanut butter (3rd exposure). We rang NHS 111 who had a 30min hold time, so I hung up and dialled 999 as he developed facial swelling.

I was advised earliest an ambulance could reach us was 3 hours but average was 9 hours so could we drive him to a&e. This feels absolutely outrageous for a child under 2 who could have gone on to develop breathing problems to be left for approx 9 hrs. Fortunately we had a car. 

Seen immediately in a&e which was great. Outcome was referral to dietician and allergy clinic.

Dietician review: I was really shocked at the lack of patient-centred care demonstrated during my consultation with paediatric dietician. Poor listening skills, and I felt pretty much “thrown out” of the online appointment.

Time was wasted telling me things when I had specific questions that remain unanswered. Also no open questions were used and I realised at the end that the dietician was still unaware of the further allergies we have identified since. It ended with “I need to go, I have other patients”. Felt really upset that I had not been listened to and questions remain unanswered.

Allergy clinic: incident occurred in Sept 2021. Referral to clinic did not happen until Dec 2021. Why did it take so long? This clinic has a long waiting list and this delay adds on nearly three months to an already anxious wait.

As an NHS worker myself I 100% understand service pressures. However all of this feels just unacceptable to me. Ambulance wait, poor communication skills and why would it take so long to put in a simple referral for something as serious as peanut allergy in a baby?

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Lewis Doult, Senior Charge Nurse, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
Lewis Doult
Senior Charge Nurse,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 15/02/2022 at 11:38
Published on Care Opinion at 12:24

picture of Lewis Doult

Hi statusry87,

I am the Lead Nurse for paediatric ED at Royal Hospital for Children. I am sorry to hear about the experiences that you have had but I am pleased to see you were seen immediately by the team in ED on arrival. I hope your child is doing well now that you have accessed the allergy service, I can imagine that this experience was very worrying for you.

My colleagues in the dietician department and allergy service have been notified of your story and will respond to their respective parts of this to look into your experience.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Lesley Kay, Patient Experience Team Leader, Corporate Affairs, Scottish Ambulance Service 2 years ago
Lesley Kay
Patient Experience Team Leader, Corporate Affairs,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 15/02/2022 at 15:25
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25

Dear Statusry87

Thank you for your feedback.

I am very sorry to read about the experience you describe. I can't begin to imagine how worrying and frustrating this must have been for you. I would like to find out more information and have this issue fully investigated for you if I may? Please would it be possible you can email me directly at lesley.kay@nhs.scot with your name, your son's name, the date you called 999, along with your phone number and address.

I look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

Lesley

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Coral McGowan, Patient Services Manager, Women & Children's Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
Coral McGowan
Patient Services Manager, Women & Children's Services,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 18/02/2022 at 18:18
Published on Care Opinion at 18:18

picture of Coral McGowan

Posted on behalf of the Royal Hospital for Children Paediatric Dietetic Service:

“It is hugely disappointing to hear of your experience of the dietetic consultation and apologies for the upset caused to you.

I would be pleased to arrange a further consultation to address your unanswered questions.

If you could please e-mail: Paediatric.Dietitian@ggc.scot.nhs.uk with your child’s details, we will arrange for a paediatric dietitian to contact you.”

Best wishes

Michelle Rae

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k