"My daughter's ingrowing toenails"

My daughter has suffered from ingrowing toenails on both of her big toes for a few months. During that time she has had 2 courses of antibiotics before eventually being referred to see the local podiatrist. The podiatrist decided that the only way to cure the persistent problem being experienced by my daughter was to have the problem corrected by surgery. We then went into the dreaded waiting list.

Around week 12 of the 12 week promise, she attended the Edinburgh Sick Kids, where she met a consultant for all of 5 minutes who then confirmed the podiatrist's diagnosis. That then entered my daughter into a further 8-week queue.

Before I talk about the positive care received at the Edinburgh Sick Kids, I would ask about the value of seeing a podiatrist if it still requires further decision making, thus wasting vast amounts of time and money. Our GP would have been better referring my daughter straight to the Consultant. As a result, since my daughter's GP referred her to see the podiatrist to the actual corrective surgery taking place, nearly 22-weeks have elapsed. Over 5 months! 5-months has seen my daughter's health compromised.

Now the positives. I have only positives to say about the care and attention we felt at the Edinburgh Sick Kids. From the nursing staff, the clinicians as well as the lovely lady who when we were lost at one point but directed us to where we needed to be.

If every visit to hospital is met with the same dedication and professionalism then I will be a very happy dad!