"Coming down with something"

My young child came home from day care and seemed like they were coming down with something. They were very lethargic, I figured they obviously got something from daycare. My child was laying on the lounge, I believe had growing pains. My child rested the following day and they were still not better so come the day after I took them to an after hours GP. My child had a temp of 38 which the GP said was high, especially for a young child, and gave me a referral letter to take them to the hospital. I recall they said to me that because my child is lethargic and they’re not eating/drinking/going to the toilet, to take them to the hospital now.

I took my child to Sydney Children’s Hospital and was in triage for a good 6 hrs. My child was a bit up and down, the staff gave them Panadol and my child came back a bit by that stage. When I saw the doctor in emergency, it seemed they thought my child was fine and wanted to ring the GP medical practice to ask why they had sent me.

The doctor rang the GP, who had given me a letter for the hospital, and after they read the letter the doctor just asked me why I was there. I thought to myself read the letter the GP just gave me! I felt they spoke to me as if they thought the GP was wasting their time and what a silly GP, why would they send me. Keep in mind, my child wasn’t eating, drinking or urinating. Initially, they thought it was tonsillitis as I understand my child’s tonsils were red and puffy but they didn’t even do a swab. Instead, the doctor sent us home. That night, my child’s fever was at 39.9. I feel the ED doctor never should have sent us home. As I understand it, Sydney Children’s Hospital is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in Sydney, I feel it was negligent that the doctor sent us home that night. In my opinion, they never should have sent us home.  

Come the following day, my child still wasn’t well and their lips were cracked from dehydration. So I rang my local GP and as soon as they saw them, they said to go back to the hospital. When I got there, we got back into emergency. I said I’m not leaving until you do something for my child. Anyway, the nurse/doctor (I can’t remember which) asked if my child has been immunized for covid or the flu. I said no, my child is not eligible yet, and I’m sorry but that’s not my concern right now. By this point my child has a fever of 40, are you really asking me if they’re vaccinated? I thought what a stupid question when my child hasn’t even got those symptoms.

While in emergency, they gave me paperwork for my health fund. So I went through my health fund and do you believe I was in there for 3 days, my child was on drip for antibiotics and fluid and they got no food. I thought am I meant to get food for my child, yet I signed to go through my health fund.

After they got my child admitted to a bed and then to a ward, they did not give them Panadol until over an hour later.  My child had a fever of 40. The staff kept telling me that fever is just a number, it’s just a number. I thought no, when it’s 40 you need to act on it! Not once did they say would you like something to eat/drink. I asked a nurse on the last day if we were meant to get food and they said yes and yet we had received nothing! This nurse made me toast and coffee and bought my child food and it took just that one nurse to make a move and I went through my health fund.

On the last day I asked if I could get my discharge papers but they said they would send it through electronically. This was around mid-morning and by nighttime there was nothing I had received. Nothing came the following day and I only got them the next morning.

I was so disappointed. It was for my child who is so young. I didn’t want to start trouble but it was such a big let down. Being a children’s hospital, I feel they’re catering for these little lives and then to just do nothing and send us home initially, it was just such a big let down.  I thought I’m their parent, I’m their voice, I should have put my foot down more. I am just not happy. Being a children’s hospital, I thought that there would be a bit more care and compassion for children. I understand after covid staff numbers are an issue, but when you have little ones in hospital you think you’d get that care you’re meant to get. I went to Sydney Children’s Hospital thinking, being a children’s hospital, it would not be just like your local hospital.

I feel bad because I didn’t want to start trouble but my child was suffering. If it was just treatment for me then I would have copped it on the chin, but it was for my child. I feel sure if it was any other parent they would have felt the same way as me. I’m so disappointed, based on my experience I would never take my child back there again.