"Would hope that on another occasion I could be..."

What could be improved

I arrived at children's A&E with my baby son (6 months old) at 7.20am last Saturday morning - he was having problems breathing, cyring constantly and in great distress. I was also very upset, in distress and exhausted. As I came into the ward I was met by a senior member of nursing staff who at once asked me why hadn't I gone to the QEII (I live in Welwyn) and why had I not taken him to the GP - these questions not only made me feel as though I wasn't wanted but that I was wasting her time which just upset me further. At the time a&e appeared quiet and whilst we waited for him to be seen I could hear the nurses chatting about the latest models of mobile phones which just added to my frustration. Said member of staff then sent us round to the out-of-hours GP on the grounds that he didn't need to be in a&e who thankfully realised that he needed to be seen by a paediatrician and 3 hours later we were back where we started in children's a&e. Thanks to the excellent service provided by the paediatrician - he not only reassured me but did a thorough check of my son. We were eventually admitted to Bluebell Ward for 2 nights where we received the appropriate care needed. My concern is that attitudes like that put mothers off seeking medical help when they're worried - where a baby is concerned, care should be given no matter what. I knew he needed to be seen urgently and not just by a GP and would like to think that hospital staff can be more supportive of worried mothers instead of adding to their guilt and distress.