"Long waiting times, poorly trained staff. Not..."

I visited children’s A&E. Whilst the new refurbished area oooks great, it is smoke and mirrors for the poor care and lack of knowledge from staff.

I arrived at 10 in the morning and didn’t leave till 4:30. When I arrived there was hardly anyone else there.

I have attended 3 times over the last 2 weeks and EVERY time, my son who is 2 was seen by junior doctors who did not seem confident in what they were saying at all.

Today, they attempted to put a cannula in my son twice and failed. Leaving my already unwell son in tears and in a lot of pain. They then decided to give up after 20 minutes. It took 2 staff members!!! Clearly had no idea what they were doing. Leaving two holes in my son and no cannula. He was asleep, so hardly wriggling around. They then had to keep seeking assistance from a more senior doctor who actually noticed things the junior doctor didn't. If I hadn't have been persistent in what I believed to be wrong with my son, it could have been fatal. Disappointed. Then was kept waiting around and had unanswered questions and felt like I had to rush every time a doctor came in. Not the care I would expect. I will NEVER attend mayday for my son again. Even though it's my nearest hospital, I will drive to Kings College instead.

There was no privacy. In the middle of speaking to the healthcare “professionals” we were interrupted countless times. My son is 2 and only one nurse bothered to build a rapport with him, enough that he trusted her to do the observations. The rest were impatient and showed a lack of interest.

How to improve?

Have the doctors properly trained. Whilst I appreciate students or newly qualified doctors need the practice. This is not what a worried Mother of a toddler needs. More training for staff and better communication. I shouldn't feel rushed when speaking to a professional and should be listened to. Staff need more confidence and need to be more thorough when assessing patients. Asking the wrong questions and seeming nervous. Shocking care.

Although in saying that, one of the nurses who saw to us was wonderful. Personable and built a rapport with my poorly son. The rest of the staff seemed unbothered and made my son uncomfortable