I'm really angry. Should I complain?

silly_moo

My baby had an accident today and his foot was cut quite badly. I tried to clean his wound and put a dressing on but he was bleeding quite badly and I couldn't really see what I was doing but could see that the cut was quite deep. It also didn't help he kept screaming and wouldn't be consoled and I was torn between wanting to hold him and trying to take care of the cut.

So I panicked. I don't have a car but luckily had a car seat (usually we keep the car seat in DH's car) so I asked a neighbour to drive us to the nearest medical practice. I walked in there with a screaming and bleeding 8 month old and the receptionist told me they don't have any nurses available and we won't be seen. I asked her to check if someone else was available and she took all the details (name, what happened, etc.) and went to speak with the duty doctor. She then came back and said that the duty doctor said we had to go to the hospital (20 min away!) as there is nothing they can do. Luckily by that time my DH got there from work and we went to A&E where after 2hr wait my son got his wound properly cleaned and paper stitches put on.

Now that I have calmed down I realise that a medical practice is not an A&E and I shouldn't have gone there in the first place but please remember I was in a state of panic and desperately wanted someone professional to have a look. I had a screaming baby, both hands covered in blood, couldn't see how deep the wound was and all I could think of was to get him to a doctor ASAP. Is it not reasonable to expect that someone should be able to just take a quick look at a BABY to make sure there's nothing seriously wrong? How can a duty doctor just sit in his/her office and tell you to go to the hospital 20 min away even though he/she wasn't seeing any patients?

Am I right to be upset and annoyed and should I complain or was the doctor right to send us away?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

No. You should have gone to A&E in the first place.

As is shown by the 2 hour wait, it was not particularly urgent. And you going there and possibly arguing/debating with the person on reception and waiting for the doctor to confirm this probably took as much time as it would have done to drive to the hospital. Which you had to do anyway.


So they haven't done anything wrong.

tango

i can see why you reacted as you did, a screaming baby and blood-you panicked. I think the health center could have been more helpful, they could maybe have at least had a quick look.

But chalk it up to experience x

avantra

Why didn't you call an ambulance? this is what they for , a paramedic would have sorted this with less stress for you and your child. Never mind we learn and live, I hope everyone is well now.

mumonashoestring

First off, I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience. Its awful when there's something wrong with your little one.

I have to say though, I can see the doctor's point. It could have been handled more sensitively/sympathetically from the sounds of it, but a GP is unlikely to have suturing skills or the equipment to handle a deep cut and so should suggest that you go to A&E to get the cut looked at.

I do know some doctors who would probably have taken a quick look and offered a sterile dressing to hold over the cut, but the less time they spend fiddling around without actually solving anything, and the quicker they get you off to A&E the better off your little one is likely to be in a situation like that.

If you have a similar experience again, it might be worth ringing for an ambulance but asking if they have an ECP (Emergency Care Practitioner) in your area who could come and have a look. These are paramedics who have had additional training and can do stitching without having to take the patient to the hospital.

ceegee

I think that you are understandably upset because your baby has been injured.

However, the doctor did not send you away....he/she advised you to take your baby to hospital, as the surgery had neither the staff nor the facilities to deal with the injury.

I hope that you are feeling less upset now that your baby has been attended to and I hope that your baby is not in any pain or discomfort now.

I would advise lots of cuddles with your baby, to help both of you to feel better!

tango

avantra wrote: »

Why didn't you call an ambulance? this is what they for , a paramedic would have sorted this with less stress for you and your child. Never mind we learn and live, I hope everyone is well now.

calling an ambulance seems OTT ?

Person_one

avantra wrote: »

Why didn't you call an ambulance? this is what they for , a paramedic would have sorted this with less stress for you and your child. Never mind we learn and live, I hope everyone is well now.

Unless an artery was cut, an ambulance would have been completely inappropriate.

OP, I completely understand why you were stressed and upset, but the practice did exactly the right thing in directing you to A&E. Hearing it direct from the doctor (who may well have been in with another patient) wouldn't have made any difference to the outcome.

Hope his foot heals quickly.

kjmtidea

avantra wrote: »

Why didn't you call an ambulance? this is what they for , a paramedic would have sorted this with less stress for you and your child. Never mind we learn and live, I hope everyone is well now.

I really don't think that she should have called an ambulance, that seems very ott. Ambulances are for when people's lives are in danger and from what I have read, I am pretty sure that wasn't the case.

I agree with the doctor, you should have gone to a&e but you were panicking and your baby was hurt so I completely understand why you just went to the nearest place that you thought could help. I don't drive and I have 4 accident prone boys so I always have taxi money stashed away at home just in case.

whitewing

It is a shame your neighbour didn't wait.

When DS was young I tended to ring NHS Direct for advice first. They can notify the hospital or the doctors that you are on your way.
Or even the doctor's receptionist.

It is normal to be upset when your baby is upset or hurt, but they are quite hardy. (This comment is not meant to put you off asking for medical advice, better to be too fussy than not fussy enough).

My DH was opening a packet and stabbed a tiny cut on his thumb pad. NHS Direct said to go to A & E because it was still seeping but also because of possible tendon damage and only a doctor could check movement.

A & E also have that liquid skin stuff (like superglue??) for cuts, I don;t know if doctors' surgeries have that.

ceegee

tango wrote: »

calling an ambulance seems OTT ?

I agree with this. It would be quicker to get to hospital in your own/neighbour's car rather than wait for an ambulance. Also, would they have classed the cut as life-threatening? If not, then you would certainly not have an ambulance rushing to your house with blue lights flashing, so it would have taken even longer to get your baby to the hospital.

I think it would be a good idea if everyone had basic first-aid training too!

Don't forget lots of cuddles for the two of you as well........cuddles seemed to solve a lot of issues when my two were small!