"Parent and hurt baby"

Today my friend's baby had a bad fall so my friend drove them to Bridgetown Emergency Department (ED). My friend did not see how the baby/toddler landed when they fell and was concerned about concussion or perhaps a broken limb. The baby was screaming in distress and was going sleepy.

My friend went in to see the nurse who told them to go home, calm their baby down, give the baby Panadol and if they were still concerned, to come back later. I met them in ED.

I really felt that there was a real lack of regard for the parent. They were being calm and reasonable but were clearly very shaken. I believe there was an inference that the crying infant was too loud and causing other peoples discomfort! As if a hurt child had no right to be crying in an ED!

I took them outside, gave them both water and some food, calmed them as much as I could, administered infant Paracetamol (from my own bag) and arranged for my friend's partner to come home from work to provide support. I do not see why these basic steps were not taken by the hospital staff. I feel that it was clearly not that busy and basic courtesy should have been considered. 

As it was, my friend took their baby to see a GP later in the day to receive an actual assessment as it looks as though the baby's arm may be fractured.