"Very dissatisfied with a nurses treatment of my asthmatic son"

At the beginning of May 2007 I took my son Jordan to A&E at Mayday University Hospital.

Jordan suffers from asthma.

Prior to taking Jordan to A&E, he had been coughing a lot, so took him to see our local GP, who said Jordan had a chest infection and prescribed some antibiotics. About 4 days into taking the antibiotics Jordan complained that he isn't feeling better but feeling worst and had started wheezing.

The same evening that Jordan complained about not feeling any better, I made the decision to take him to A&E.

We arrived at A&E 10:35 pm, we were seen by the reception and then sent to the under 16 waiting area.

We were seen by a male nurse, who then explained to me that Jordan will be seen by another nurse.

After waiting for a long while, Jordan was seen by this other nurse.

This nurse proceeded to ask many questions, which was fine, but I was extremely dissatisfied with her over all treatment of my son and myself. Rather then trying to be prompt with dealing with my son, 'who couldn't breathe properly' she proceeded to ask me why did you didn't take him to your local GP??? I tried to explain to the nurse that Jordan was seen by our GP 5 days earlier, but had complained earlier in the evening of not feeling well and it was too late to take him back to our GP, who were then close, which leaves me with no alternative but to take him to A&E at mayday. The nurse still proceed to ask more questions as to why you didn't go to your GP, again my son isn't well, he needs medical attention urgently. When I tried to explain to the nurse that Jordan has been asthmatic since he was 10 months old, and I would have normally taken him to our GP, she wasn't interested in nothing in what I had to say. She then proceeded to tell me in future you must go to your GP. After which she wrote what she felt like writing on my son's medical record, who was in constant pain with his chest and wheezing. She then told us to go back and take a seat until my son’s name is called again. By this time he was in tears and very appalled by this nurses’ treatment. It had a very serious and negative effect on myself and my son. I wanted to tell her I have been dealing with my son's asthma since he was 10 months old, to and from our GP to our local hospital. At the end of the day, never judge a book by its cover and always get your facts right, before you make judgement.

Had she just listened to what I had to say about my son's medical history and seeing to it that my son gets urgent medical treatment, I wouldn't had to write about my experience.