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Paediatric emergency department rules

Posted By JMA

"Paediatric emergency department rules"

About: Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital / Accident & Emergency (Emergency Care)

(as a relative),

My daughter was in a car accident with her 2 week old daughter in the car and to say she was shaken up would be an understatement. After calling 111 for advice she was told to take the baby to RACH emergency department immediately. I had to go pick my daughter and baby up to drive them to RACH as my daughter was so shaken up and worried. When we arrived and before the 

The receptionist took the details, I was told I could not stay in the building and my daughter would have to stay alone with the baby. This was despite me explaining my daughter was also in the accident and you could physically see how upset she was I was still told I could not stay.

Whilst I very much appreciate the new rules in place to mitigate the spread of covid, surely common sense has to be used in circumstances like this? I think what makes it even worse is knowing in ARI these rules are not consistent so grown up men and women can have numerous visitors but newborn babies and parents can’t be supported at what was a very scary time!

My daughter and granddaughter both received great care when seen and we can’t fault the nursing and medical staff but personally I think common sense needs to be used and not a blanket response for every person having to attend RACH.

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Responses

Response from Kathryn Auchnie, Clinical Nurse Manager, Childrens Division, NHS Grampian nearly 2 years ago
We have made a change
Kathryn Auchnie
Clinical Nurse Manager, Childrens Division,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 08/07/2022 at 14:41
Published on Care Opinion at 16:12

picture of Kathryn Auchnie

Dear JMA

I am sorry to hear that your daughter and grand-daughter have been in a car accident and hope that they are both fully recovered from this traumatic event.

I can only apologise that you were asked to leave the emergency department and were not permitted to remain with your daughter for support. Unfortunately there is as you said no consistency across NHS Grampian and this is because each department must risk assess the risks for patients and staff based on the physical layout of their individual area. The emergency department has small rooms which does limit the number of persons that each can hold however there should not have been be a blanket response as each case should be reviewed on an individual basis and in your case I would of expected you to be permitted to be with your daughter due to the circumstances.

I have discussed this with the staff in the department and further communication has been given to advise that this decision should be made by the clinical staff based on the individual circumstances and not the receptionist.

I can only apologise for the distress this has caused to you and your family

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