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"Poor communication regarding my babys care"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

My son ( 12 months old) was referred to ED by GP earlier this month, it was communicated to me by the doctor on for paediatric ED that my son was likely to be admitted, will require blood test and a cannula to be inserted for IV antibiotics and possibly fluids as he was dehydrated. My son was already in a lot of pain and this was very distressing for myself as a parent, I had to contact my partner at this stage to come out of work as it had been communicated to me that this was required as delegated via telephone by the paediatric registrar on for referrals to this doctor. 

The doctor and nurse proceeded to obtain blood samples by cannulating my son, i had to help both members of staff to hold my son down to have this done, both of us were very distressed and a very difficult thing to have to do as a parent. The doctor was unsuccessful at doing so, following two attempts and advised a more senior member of staff would attempt same at a later time. Following this, the registrar reviewed my son and proceeded to tell me that his sceniaro was 'not that bad' and could go home with oral antiobiotics and ointments. I explained how confused i was as previously had to hold my son for bloods and a cannula, explained that he was very unwell and required to stay for antibiotics and my partner and I where both distressed regarding what had occured, and my son who was already in alot of pain and that this was then unnecessary. We recieved no apology from this doctor who had delegated for this to be undertaken, the nurse came in with his prescription and we explained our anger and we would be complaining about the lack of effective communication between staff and this shouldnt have taken place if not absolutely required to a baby. 

The ED doctor then returned and apologised for what had occurred, explaining that she was informed to undertake this, but understood our anger.

When setting a plan of care especially for young children and babys, whereby bloods and cannulation is a distressing and painful thing for them to experience, review from a senior doctor should take place prior to this to avoid this happening to further families. 

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Responses

Response from Stacey Hardy, Lead Nurse CAH Emergency Department, DHH Emergency Department and STH Minors Injuries Unit, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health and Social Services Trust last week
We have made a change
Stacey Hardy
Lead Nurse CAH Emergency Department, DHH Emergency Department and STH Minors Injuries Unit, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Services Trust
Submitted on 17/04/2025 at 17:46
Published on Care Opinion at 17:46


Thank you for sharing your recent experience at the Emergency department at Craigavon. I am very sorry to hear how distressing this intervention was for both you and your son. I will be sharing your feedback with the nursing and medical staff to ensure that if there is any doubt about the need for bloods and a cannula to discuss this with a senior doctor before making an attempt and then deciding this intervention was not required. I am also very sorry to hear that the communication to you from the staff was poor. I will discuss this also with the team. Communication is a vital element in a busy department for both staff and patients/ relatives. I hope your son is recovering from his recent illness.

Stacey

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