"Little empathy shown"

About: Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick children / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

Took my child to A&E. Most staff were very friendly and helpful, however one consultant was very abrupt and condescending. Not really the attitude expected when your child is obviously unwell and ended up needing a procedure which should have been carried out the first day I attended. However this consultant told me to change my expectations and told me my child was no longer nil by mouth and give him a drink. When surgeons came to see child no more than 10 mins later they asked why he had not been fasting. This delayed an Emergency procedure. Little empathy shown by this consultant. I feel they wanted to show their authority, however when a stressed mother has her child’s health as priority, they shouldn’t be told stop crying in front of your child. 

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Responses

Response from Patricia McKinney, Interim Co-Director Child Health and NISTAR, SPECIALIST HOSPITALS & WOMEN'S HEALTH, Belfast HSC Trust 7 hours ago
Patricia McKinney
Interim Co-Director Child Health and NISTAR, SPECIALIST HOSPITALS & WOMEN'S HEALTH,
Belfast HSC Trust
Submitted on 18/03/2025 at 09:37
Published on Care Opinion at 09:37


Dear Braz

My name is Trish McKinney and I am the Co-Director for Child Health & NISTAR. Thank you for taking the time to describe your recent experience in Children's ED and thank you for the positive comments about staff being friendly and helpful. I hope your child is making a speedy recovery.

I note your comments about the attitude and lack of empathy shown by of one of our Consultants. I apologise unreservedly and I will ensure your feedback is brought to the attention of the relevant management team so that they can highlight your concerns with staff.

Once again thank you for taking the time provide feedback particularly during this stressful time.

Yours sincerely

Trish

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