"Poor listening & respect, lack of care"

Anything else?

Early 2012 for our family was a nightmare. Our grandson was born in December 2011 and from being three weeks old, was very unwell. Repeated visits to the GP, concerns raised by the health visitor, admissions on six occasions to the childrens ward etc never once ellicited anything from the ward doctors other than suggestions of new parental anxiety, perhaps normal baby reflux etc. In total desperation at this disregard to family concerns and watching our baby fail, we reached a point, during the sixth admission, where we demanded to speak to a consultant, otherwise we would take him from the hospital and go to the Childrens Hospital at Sheffield. Only then, and for the first time, were appropriate blood tests etc undertaken. As a consequence, he was transferred to Sheffield and operated on two days later. We were advised that his condition was life threatening, with underperforming kidneys etc. He had pyloric stenosis, a condition not too difficult to diagnose, if recommended tests are done. The radiographer who undertook the scan commented that the condition was very clearly apparent, well advanced and would have been developing over the weeks that we had had our concerns. Thankfully, baby is fit and healthy now but no thanks to the childrens department at BDGH. In addition to the poor experience from the ward staff, visits to A & E raised similar discontent. Although not gaining weight, constant projectile vomiting, a baby clearly in pain and other issues, staff there at one point, asked that his parents did not go to A & E , and again suggested parental anxiety. We appreciate that as they were aware that baby was under the care of a consultant, that department should indeed have been responsible for his care but as this was the last thing being offered, A & E visits were the only option. His first time parents were denied the joy of a new baby and spent the first ten weeks, like the rest of the family, at their wits end. Our confidence in this department is non existent and sadly, we understand, is not one unique to us. The constant battle in the first few months of baby's life have left his mum in an almost over vigilant state and reluctant to visit her GP, even when it is necessary. She herself became quite unwell with the strain of all that happened during this time and it will take a long time for the mental anguish to subside.

There have been occasions when family experiences at BDGH have been good but sadly these are in part overidded by what has happened here.