My newborn baby hadn’t been drinking their usual intake for the last few days, had diarrhoea and no wet nappies throughout the night. I contacted the child health nurse reception - explained those symptoms and was told as I recalled, "due to diarrhoea they need to be seen ASAP but we can’t help". I then rang the Northam Midwifery and was told to take my baby up to the hospital so I did so.
When I arrived all tests and questions were done, we were put into one of the rooms and waited for a doctor. The doctor finally come around and I felt asked me the questions the nurse had already. I explained the symptoms again, they then told me as I recalled, that this isn’t a huge emergency and I will be holding up those who do have real emergencies. I cried, grabbed my baby and left the hospital. This is my second child and not that it matters, I should have been told what was wrong with my baby instead of been told that this isn’t a good enough reason to be here.
Within the next following days, I received a call from another nurse at the hospital asking how we were and that it was written down that I rejected to see a doctor and if I ended up getting it all sorted. Which isn’t the case at all based on my experience. I told this nurse that is incorrect, and I did see the doctor but they just didn’t want to see me and that I ended up seeking help elsewhere with a doctor who had finished for the day, but I believe when hearing it was a few months old baby, they stayed back which I am forever grateful for.
Turns out it was just a virus and my baby cleared up within days. I just wish the Northam hospital would have helped me and eased my stress instead of telling me I’m wasting their time and then write down I rejected them.
"Lack of concern when I presented with my sick baby"
About: Northam Health Service / Emergency Department Northam Health Service Emergency Department Northam 6401
Posted by giraffede45 (as ),
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