The John Radcliffe 2010-03-17 Person 3 5 0

We had two trips to A&E with my 4 year old daughter who had hurt her elbow. I am a hospital doctor myself. On the first trip we were triaged and xrayed quite quickly, but waited more than 2 and a half hours for nurse practitioner/doctor review. We waited in the main adult area, despite being able to see the paediatric play area through screens - she found this upsetting. Adults who had arrived after us were being seen, and I had to ask the receptionist staff to find out why were not being seen. Only then were we sent through quickly to the Paeds area and seen. I appreciate that waiting times reflect high patient volumes, but a 4 year old in obvious pain should not have to wait with adults in a busy area with no play things for this long. Having said this, the care she received from nurse pratitioners and A&E doctors was excellent. The injury was missed the first time, but it was subtle and children can present vaguely, so I understand why it was missed. The problem was rectified tactfully and efficiently when we represented the following day.