Our daughter was born with congenital heart disease and has spent the past 5 months between wards 1E and PICU where the care has been outstanding from every member staff!
On our daughters previous admission to the PICU if we were lucky there would be space in Ronald McDonald house and if there was no room available, NHS Greater Glasgow arranged either a room in the hospital or a hotel to accommodate us!
Our daughter unfortunately has been readmitted to PICU awaiting to undergo her 4th open heart surgery! Unfortunately Ronald McDonald house has been full and we were informed that it was now up to our own health board to find us accommodation! When I contacted NHS Lanarkshire they were unaware of the change and advised me to submit my receipts!
Having a critically ill child is mentally, emotionally and financially draining and to be left with the burden of trying to find accommodation is unacceptable! Last week we were told there was a high chance of our daughter returning from theatre on ECMO for the second time and instead of us being able to focus on our daughter I had to spend time trying to find a hotel room! Ronald McDonald house is requested on a daily basis and sometimes it can be late afternoon before you find out if you have a room, so if you are unsuccessful you are left with the stress of trying to find a hotel!
I challenge the person who changed the policy to come and visit the PICU, sit with me, and feel what’s it’s like to be in this situation! Parents of sick children should feel supported not abandoned!
"Instead of being able to focus on our daughter..."
About: Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) / Cardiology (heart problems) Ward 1E Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) Cardiology (heart problems) Ward 1E Glasgow G51 4TF
Posted by CHD (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Pamela McGoldrick