"The care of my child"

My child was brought into ED by my partner. They had the symptoms of gastro and dehydration which despite how they looked they were sent home. On the following day I brought my child back into ED with their symptoms being much worse off. My child had diarrhoea, was throwing up almost everything they were drinking, lost weight and had delayed breathing and then very fast paced breathing and yet we waiting until the early hours of the day after to be seen by a doctor. Despite my concerns for my child we were advised to go home as my child “was more on the good side than the bad”. The doctor asked if I’d like them to call down a paediatrician so I said yes because there was no chance I was leaving knowing something is wrong with my child. We then saw a paediatrician and not long after were admitted and treatment for my child began. The nurses were amazing in the ED and I’m not blaming any individual person however, in my opinion, my child’s case was an act of negligence. I believe that if I had left the hospital there could be a chance my child  wouldn’t be here today, we got very lucky that my child is strong and fought so hard to be here.

I would truly hate for another family to go through what I have been through and more importantly what my child has gone through. I truly believe there needs to be more training done looking signs of dehydration especially in a baby of such a young age. Even better there should be a paediatric doctor and nurse 24/7 in the ED to treat younger children when presenting the signs of dehydration and other conditions.

Please listen to parents when they say there is something wrong, they know their child best.

Something needs to be done about this not only for the sake of my child but other children too.