"Emergency Presentation"

I arrived with my child who was having respiratory issues/severe reflux which they had been suffering from for several hours. We were met at the nurse's station where standard questions were asked and my child's temperature taken. I briefly explained that we were waiting to see a gastrologist/cardiologist and my child had also had a hospital visit at another hospital, showing them only the medicine given for the other hospital's admission and we were asked to take a seat.

About 5 mins after, the nurse returned to the waiting room, giving my child medication. While the medication was welcomed to relieve my child's symptoms, I was extremely disappointed that no other observations were taken. My child was struggling to get their breath and rapid heart rate. Our child has undiagnosed medical issues for all of 2020 and details are important to feedback to our specialists at the other hospital.

I expressed my concern that I felt my child had not been adequately assessed and that now they have had the medication, the symptoms were receding. My child was exhausted from loss of breath and after waiting several hours not seeing anyone, we left. I requested a copy of what had been given and was told that I would have to apply to freedom of information, it was my choice to leave and I would need to sign a refusal of treatment before leaving. It was not that I wanted to refuse treatment, it was simply my child was exhausted.

While I understand that they had an emergency situation, I would imagine that management would be aware of the increase in population during the holiday season and ensure that the night staff is adequate to manage both a critical emergency situation and a team to manage usual presentations. I believe it adds unnecessary pressure and stress on the staff, patients and families when the department is not adequately staffed to meet the need of the community.

I reluctantly visit the local hospital as I have been disappointed previously with the treatment and prefer to go straight to another hospital, however, on this occasion, I thought that the local hospital would be able to support my child's need.

Based on my experience, I will not take them to the local hospital again, it would have been quicker for me to drive to another hospital where I believe they would have received the assistance and observation they needed.