"Going downhill"

My 6 year old had to fast almost 24h before a simple procedure, because the staff failed to let me know of his time of admission. He wasn't aloud breakfast in case if he needed to be in for the morning. By the time we have been told it is going to be 12noon, he missed his chance to have sthing to eat.

At ward, we had to wait 3 hours extra, because they were" running late". The staff already knew at the morning when I called them, that they will be late as a doctor didn't turn up, but they didn't bother to let us know.

There was no waiting area, but the play room only. Of course my child didn't mind that, but I had nowhere to sit but a child seat for 3 hrs.

His procedure (with general anaesthetic) started at 3pm, and I have been told to wait at the parents room, and someone will call me after 30 mins.

I have waited 1 and a half hour.

I cannot describe you that feeling of long wait. Your mind and imagination plays the nasty tricks on you, and your are helplessly watching the time and corridor simultaneously and waiting to be called.

I asked once after an hour wait about my son. I have been told, that wait is almost over, they should call me soon. (Obviously, this answer didn't calm me down)

After 90 mins, and I was reunited with him.

He seemed fine. He was complaining about his hands. (As he went under general anaesthetic, he had to have the butterfly needle insert in his vein). He had marks on both hands.

Nobody came to me to explain why I had to wait so long.

After that, he has been taken back to the ward, and about an hour later released to go home.

Only a nurse came to us to remove the needle from his hand.

Nobody gave information about his procedure, no doctors or consultants turned up.

Nurses seemed tired and frustrated.

Unfortunately, we have been to this hospital many times before.

We have been to A&E, outpatient and inpatient departments.

This time, the hospital failed on many points, but the lack of communication was the worst.

I hope they will improve on it very soon.