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Deeply concerned about the quality and urgency of care

Posted By Concern mom

"Deeply concerned about the quality and urgency of care"

About: Daisy Hill Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

I brought my child to Daisy Hill Hospital A&E after being advised to attend urgently due to a high fever, hallucinations, and delirium. Despite the seriousness of his condition, he was not seen by a doctor for several hours. During this time, he had multiple episodes of confusion and distress. Although some medication was given, no blood tests or investigations were ordered.

He is now only dribbling urine, which is very concerning, yet there has still been no proper medical assessment. When I asked the nurse in charge, I was told the same doctors cover both paediatrics and general patients and that the department is under pressure. However, there were only two paediatric patients present, and the department did not appear busy.

I think that leaving a seriously unwell child without timely assessment is unsafe and unacceptable. Communication has been poor, and staff have been unresponsive to clear warning signs of serious illness. I am deeply concerned about the quality and urgency of care at Daisy Hill Hospital A&E.

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Responses

Response from Lisa Small, Ward Manager Emergency Department / Short Unit, Daisy Hill Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 4 days ago
Lisa Small
Ward Manager Emergency Department / Short Unit, Daisy Hill Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 21/10/2025 at 11:14
Published on Care Opinion at 14:13

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I am sorry to hear that your recent experience did not meet your expectations. When a child attends ED they are triaged and appropriate medication can be provided by nursing staff, however blood tests etc are ordered by the Doctor. As you outlined in your story, ED doctors cover both paediatric and general ED, therefore while the Paediatric area did not appear busy – the Doctors may have been attending patients in the main ED. However I understand from a worried mother’s point of view how difficult this wait must have been for you and your son.

Please be assured that we take all feedback seriously and use it to reflect on how we can improve services.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention and I hope that your son is recovering well.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Concern mom (a parent/guardian)

My son arrived at Daisy Hill A&E with a high fever, delirium, and hallucinations, yet we were left in the paediatric waiting room for about an hour, while staff passed by without checking on him. We had to grab someone’s attention to get him seen — a simple Are you okay? would have made a difference. I believe strongly that seriously unwell children must always be assessed promptly, and this incident should be reviewed to prevent it happening again.

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