"Delay in detecting the severity of my son's condition at Barnsley"

My son had pleurisy and pneumonia and was treated at Barnsley General, on ward 23, respiratory unit and ICU. The best thing about his care was the efficiency and care shown by nursing staff and medical staff on the respiratory unit and ICU. However, I think the staff and medical staff on ward 23, could have been better at detecting how serious his condition was.

I found that the staff on ward 23 did not realise the severity of his illness, even though, as his parents we were saying how concerned we were. Physiotherapy was ordered, but did not take place until 30 hours after admission. They immediately realised the severity of his condition and appropriate doctors were informed. He was then transferred to the respiratory unit. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated further and he was then transferred to the ICU. The nursing staff and medical staff of the respiratory unit and ICU were marvelous.

I must also say that I had, on three previous occasions, taken my son to see his own GP in the preceding months, with his chesty cough and feel that had a chest x-ray been requested he would not have become as seriously ill as he did.

Thanks should go to the nursing and medical staff on the respiratory unit and ICU.