So annoyed - waited in ER for 4.5 hours

**Magnanimous** · 13-08-2010 20:25

I am sooooo annoyed, we took my 9 week old DD to the ER at Campbelltown Hospital - last night because her breathing was getting a little bit strained & she has bronchiolitis so we didn't want to take any risks.

Anyway - we were in the ER waiting room for 4.5 hours & when i asked them if we could sit somewhere away from the crowds to avoid her getting anything further (people spluttering with coughs) they said we could sit in a paediatric waiting room - well it was locked so when we asked if they could unlock it they said it was too difficult etc etc.

I of course let them know how annoyed we were & how worried we were about our baby & her breathing & coughing etc but they said there was nothing they could do because they were just so busy.

I am sooooooo annoyed, they preach the "watch out whooping cough is about" message but refuse to find somewhere seperate for me to sit with a newborn???? They could have seated us in the empty paediatrics room but didnt & looked at me like i was a b%$ch when i asked them to help us.

We got home at 3.30am this morning

I am worried she could have caught something else & when i asked the paediatric nurse she said "yes there is a good chance of that" (thanks alot lady now i am even more worried about DD).

Sorry, just wanted to have a rant as i am so annoyed right now & will NEVER go back there no matter what - in future i will go to any other hospital but never Campbelltown ever again.

**waterlily** · 13-08-2010 20:29

Ahhhh hospitals drive me insane!!!! You poor things.

**Sheer Bliss** · 13-08-2010 20:31

ER rooms are such painful places - try not to worry, I am sure your DD will be fine.

**Amara** · 13-08-2010 20:34

Yes unfortunately our hospitals just can't cope....yet our politicians want our population to keep growing. Makes no sense at all.

I hope your little one is ok.

**Nowhere** · 13-08-2010 20:34

4 hours wait YIKEs that sucks but also re assueing cause if she got rushed through asap thats when you really worry.

Did they at least check her o2 levels and what not at the triage nurse, they usualy do that here so they know how serious it is

I hope your lil one is ok and that you guys didnt catch anything in the ED

**Sparklydreamer** · 13-08-2010 20:51

Grrrrr. I feel your pain. Its a pet peeve of mine too. We've had to go to the hospital with DS (baby) a few times and I'm appalled at the lack of infection control.

I don't blame individual staff but the system in general needs improvement (and a big injection of funds).

**bbkb** · 13-08-2010 20:59

wow that is such a long wait especially for a small bub. each time we have been to our hospital they get our details and take us straight through even though there is others cause of him been a baby. however this is a private hospital we go to.

heard a couple of things like huge waiting times like this for bubs at our local public hospital.

they need more staff and better facilities

hope your dd gets better soon

**gizmoduckus** · 13-08-2010 21:03

Honestly, I wouldn't blame just the hospital that you went to. That is pretty much the same in every emergency room in the country. The only way you will get seen to sooner is if you go private and pay something like over $100 for them to see you straight away.

It is sucky but Miki's mum is right, it is waaaayy more scarier when they rush you in right away.

**SassyMummy** · 13-08-2010 21:44

It's not the hospital - it's the system.

Unfortunately, they're REALLY busy. Overrun.

I was very lucky (in a roundabout way...lol), that when I had my horrible gallbladder attacks, I couldn't sit or stand, and was writhing around howling in pain. It meant I was seen pretty soon after arriving.

I have taken my daughter to the ER before when she was a few months old, and we waited for HOURS. It was freezing and we were tired as hell. Twas awful.

Just the way it is though, so definitely keep this in mind when choosing who your vote will go to!

I've seen people bleeding all over the ER room floor before...

**Little-Pink-Hen** · 13-08-2010 21:59

that sucks
Just a side not ctown has 90% intake every night are mental health patients that enter via the abulance bay. Did they offer you to wait in after hours gp area which would be empty at that time??
Hon I wouldn't go to liverpool either they are just as busy...