"Concerning"

On the evening of Friday, 26/01/18 my 4-year old son fell ill with a very high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. Mercifully this happened at our GP surgery. An ambulance was sent. The care provided by the surgery and the paramedics was superb. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the treatment he received at Hull Royal Infirmary Paediatrics A&E.

Upon arrival my son was placed in a side room, which was extremely hot. He was left without any medical attention for the next 3 hours – a gruelling experience for him. No updates were provided by the nurses. Rather, they sat chatting. A urine sample had to be initiated by myself by requesting a specimen bottle. Likewise, I had to ask for the urine test result.

Eventually, after 3 very long hours, in a room with my sick son and just one chair for my wife and I to sit in the doctor, finally, appeared. I explained to her that he had had a temperature in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. To our utter disbelief the doctor responded, “Oh, I’m not bothered by that…” Given that a temperature in a child of 42 degrees Celsius can lead to brain damage, we could not believe her seemingly flippant response. She dismissed his ill health as a virus, however, a virus can only be formally diagnosed by way of a blood test. She came across as seemingly largely disinterested and uncaring. She could not exit the room fast enough. Upon reflection, I’m glad my son fell ill at our local surgery, being seen by our family GP, who is deeply conscientious and caring, and not by this doctor at Hull Royal Infirmary A& E Paediatrics.

On previous visits to Hull Royal Infirmary Paediatrics A&E care has been good. I am sorry to report that on this occasion it was dismal. Bad experiences like this do undermine your faith in an NHS general hospital.