Share review of Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital

Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital 2022-03-07 Person 1 5 0

I arrived with my 19 month old son at 9pm after visiting gwent out of hours being told he had tonsillitis and a high fever. The doctor told me he phoned the grange to let them know we would be arriving as he was concerned over his high temperature, but was told they didn’t want us to go there and they would only assess him. We were put in a room and observations were done. Between 9pm and 1.45am I had 4 different doctors come in asking me the same questions even though I had explained several times. They all said they didn’t understand why the gwent sent us here as it was normal for a toddler to have a high fever and fast heart rate with tonsillitis. The last doctor that came in at 1.45 observed him again and said the same. She explained if his temp and heart rate doesn’t go up we might be able to go home with antibiotics. 3.30am still haven’t heard from anyone with what was happening. I buzzed for someone and asked what was happening, I explained how my son wasn’t settled being left in his pram for 6 hours, no bed, not been offered food or drink, I told her I didn’t understand why I was being kept here, if they were giving us antibiotics and his symptoms were normal along with the fact they didn’t want us there in the first place when they knew what was wrong with him. 4.30am the doctor came back and I told her my frustrations while breaking down crying. Neither me or my son having no sleep, no beds offered, drink or food and I would rather take him home where he can rest and I can treat him with antibiotics and calpol which I was recommended. She had an attitude and was rude explaining that because his symptoms were above the norm if she let us go and something happened she would lose her job. She said the had a legal responsibility to check him every 20/30 minutes. No one had been in for the last hour to check him and no one had told me what was happening. She was insensitive and stormed out the room telling me I could leave if I filled a form out. When she came back I said if they have a bed for us, I would stay. Within 5 minutes they had a bed. Taken to the ward at 5am after 9 hours of being in a room with no beds, food or drink and a crying, unsettled, unwell baby. After being made to feel guilty for wanting to leave with my baby, we stayed overnight for no one to do any checks on him at all until 9.30am when they should of done them every 20/30 minutes. At 10am they said we could go home but had to wait for the antibiotics and they would be ready by lunchtime as the close at 12pm. 2pm and given the tablets to go home. Absolutely appalling waiting times and treatment by the doctor. A few staff were lovely but the doctor needs to learn compassion and kindness. Especially to a young mother with a sick baby who was exhausted and scared. All I asked was an explanation to why they didn’t want us there but was then told we can’t let you go because of legal obligations. To make me feel guilty to wanting to take him home. To stay to then not fulfil the legal obligations. I will avoid this hospital at all costs in the future.