"Sick Child"

Presented to the ED with my child who had gotten progressively worse through their flu, their lips were double the size they normally are, they couldn't eat or drink, and on awakening were very breathless and wheezing badly. My child was extremely lethargic even after me giving them nurofen.

There were 2 people ahead of us, whom were seen to and left within the first hour of us being there. We were seen by a junior doctor, who examined my child, then said they would talk to the senior doctor. The triage nurse was very good, and was able to get my child to drink some orange juice. I honestly thought it was going to be a quick, easy visit to the ED. No such luck.

All of a sudden, a lot of people did come in, however watching them get preference was pretty frustrating considering they hadn't even been there for 2 hours and were being seen, then leaving. My child was trying to be so patient but they were starting to feel very ill again, and just wanted to go home. After watching the 5th person get in ahead of my child, I had finally had enough.

It was over 4 hours at this point for us, and less than two hours for everyone else that had walked in. I spoke to the receptionist and told them I had tried to be patient, but watching others walk in and get preference over my child who had been waiting forever was just too hard. This nurse proceeded to inform me that they were considered more critical than my child. I said to them my child hasn't eaten or drank properly in days and  can't even breathe properly.

In my opinion, my child could have been seen to in the two hours before these people even walked in the door, but I honestly believe that they had forgotten my child was even there. The receptionist did offer to speak to the triage nurse, although I declined due to the fact that it had been over four hours since my child had seen this staff member, and in my opinion, my child obviously wasn't considered enough of a risk to be seen before others.

I'm usually a very patient person, it's not very often I say anything, but to sit there and watch my child getting sicker and sicker and being told they weren't a priority when in my opinion, anyone could tell my child needed attention was absolutely disgusting to me. I am absolutely appalled that a little child is made to wait that long, when even the junior doctor said they weren't well at all. I am literally forcing powerade into my child as I write this, because I believe they are very dehydrated, as well as I feel they have a very bad chest infection. My child's oxygen levels weren't even checked, despite them struggling for breath.

In my opinion, a child this unwell should have been a priority before the other patients even walked in, which was a good two hours after we arrived. Next time I will make the hour long trip to Traralgon!