Yesterday evening my baby boy was taken by ambulance into Heartlands with breathing difficulties. The Ambulance crew were outstanding and professional.
Upon arrival to the Children's ward at Heartlands Hospital however, having been rushed in as an emergency, we were met with apparently considerable indifference. An hour later we were seen by a nurse who referred us to the Badger clinic as we would be seen quicker. Bearing in mind my son was heaving and coughing audibly we did what we were told and went over. Despite signs everywhere saying 'Ambulance patients to be given priority' it would be another two hours before we had to relay the story over again to another nurse. We than had to go over it again with the Doctor whose sage advice was to go to the pharmacy and pick up a prescription - it was Sunday night and they, without exception, were all closed. Being effectively stranded at the hospital having been bused in, the staff didn't even know if there was a taxi rank at the hospital and simply did not seem bothered.
For whoever it may concern, the Badger waiting area is an absolute disgrace. In 2014 I do not expect to be met with conditions worse than a tent. The staff I encountered, save for the doctor, in my opinion behaved genuinely appallingly - showing no interest or compassion for what was going on around them.
"Long wait with a six-month old baby boy... "
About: Birmingham and the Black Country Birmingham and the Black Country Heartlands Hospital / Accident and emergency Heartlands Hospital Accident and emergency Birmingham B9 5SS West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust / Emergency ambulance West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust Emergency ambulance Brierley Hill DY5 1LX
Posted by FlashG (as ),
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