"Community paediatrics"

It has taken almost two years for me to gather the courage to put this into writing.

In mid 2020 I had a missed telephone appointment with a paeds doctor for my daughter, They made an assessment without speaking to me in relation to my daughter medical conditions and school attendance.

I was disappointed with the outcome and was given a face to face appointment. When we arrived that day I let staff know immediately that my daughter had a rash which resembled chickenpox. We were then shown to the waiting area.. It is my understanding that a nurse made the doctor aware and my daughter and I continued sitting in the waiting room.

After 20-30 minutes of waiting my daughter and I were lead to a clinician’s room. Within a few minutes, a staff member entered the room and they appeared extremely angry. They began shouting at me for bringing my daughter to an appointment with suspected chickenpox. I explained, I made staff aware at the first opportunity. The staff member continued to shout aggressively and made me feel incredibly vulnerable. I asked them not to shout at me, particularly in front of my then 10 year old daughter. At one point they mocked me and laughed when I tried to explain myself. I repeatedly asked not to be spoken to that way, especially when my daughter was there. I was deeply concerned about the impact this had on her. I could see how uncomfortable and worried she had become. We couldn’t get past the staff member to leave as we were inside the room and they were by the doorway.

They ignored my requests and continued about the contagiousness of chickenpox and how harmful my actions were to staff. I then realised that they were not wearing a mask to protect us from COVID. I was told they would see a child with COVID before seeing a child with chickenpox. To this day, I remain shocked by this bold statement.

I had no idea who this staff member was so I asked the nurse their name. I was informed my daughter wouldn’t be allowed to attend her appointment. I left the building shaking and crying to return to my car.

We sat in the car whilst I tried ringing my husband to explain what had happened and ask for advice on what to do next. Whilst on the phone, I realised this staff member had followed us outside and was standing next to my car. I put down the window and explained my disgust at their behaviour and how inappropriate it had been. I couldn’t believe how I’d be spoken to by a healthcare professional.

They continued to explain the seriousness of chickenpox and how children with terminal illnesses attend appointments in the building. I explained that they could have approached the situation in an entirely different way. We should have been kindly asked to leave the building and offered an appointment at a later date.

I was then encouraged to attend the appointment without my daughter and offered for staff to check on my daughter whilst she sat in the car. The alternative option was for someone else to ring me and discuss via telephone. I decided on attending the appointment face-to-face, in hindsight I wish I had of asked for an alternative date to attend as my mind remained focused on how my daughter was feeling after this outburst.

I found this appointment extremely difficult as I was shaking as a result of this person's behaviour. The Doctor I saw was very pleasant. I shared details of my daughters medial history and the main reasons for my daughters re-referral to the Education Authority. I specifically asked that a condition that was recorded on the medical report. I shared photographs of my daughters skin given that she had to wait in the car. It was important to me that the Education Authority and school were fully informed.

Much to my disappointment, there was no reference of my daughters repeated diagnosis of this condition despite my request. The only reference regarding my daughters skin difficulties was general eczema with no explanation on the severity

I believe my daughter was let down by community paediatrics as missing this diagnosis has led to additional stress.

It was decided that a re-referral to community paediatrics for a face-to-face appointment would be the best way forward, considering the refusal to allow my daughters access to her appointment in late 2020. It was my hope that a new appointment would have given me the chance to talk about my daughters current medical history.

I recently discovered my daughter wasn’t issued with a face-to-face appointment, however, another paediatrician has viewed her medical notes and decided that there is no additional information to add without any contact with myself or seeing my daughter.

I cannot express the level of upset and frustration I have felt as a result of the community paediatric department since 2020. My daughter and I have been deeply affected by the behaviour of this staff member. I do acknowledge that they made contact with me the following day to apologise for their behaviour. My daughter has been left feeling even more ashamed of her skin problems and remains concerned that she may make others unwell when a new rash appears given this staff member's reaction.

I have genuine concerns about speaking up due to any repercussions as a result of this care opinion and how it may affect my daughters care going forward.