"Our children deserve better than this level of care"

In October, my then 8 month old baby displayed symptoms of a bleed internally. I took her straight to RD&E emergency were we were told by triage she would be made a priority because of her symptoms. We waited in emergency waiting room for 5 hours until we were called, we then waited another hour before a doctor seen us. The doctor was going to send us home to monitor her or asked did I want paediatrics to see her to which I said yes, she’s a 8 month old baby. When we got to PAU my daughter was admitted to Bramble ward for 4 days and had to be treated for a bleed internally which made her anaemic. We were discharged and she underwent a endoscopy in Bristol in November. 

In mid December, my now 10 month old daughter began passing blood in her stools. I was told to take her to A&E within an hour by 111, giving her history of a bleed before. We waited in the waiting room for 6 hours! I went to reception 3 times to be told she was next on the list. Even though numerous people were called before her. Given her history, I think there is something majorly wrong with the triage and priority system. We spent all night until the next day in PAU where she had to undergo bloods again and now has to be seen by a specialist team. 

This is not ok. A baby never mind with a medical history should not have to wait for 6 hours to be seen.

While I was pregnant with my daughter, my consultant referred me for a blood glucose test, when I got there I was told that I didn’t meet the criteria. They said that they weren't going to do the test and it was mentioned that it’s not "cost effective” - but I got the test done, and it turned out I actually had gestational diabetes. Now if I had not pushed for it to be done, I dread to think what could have happened if I went untreated. 

Our children deserve better than this level of care. Something needs to change.