"Childhood immunisations"

I took my three year old daughter to our local GP Surgery for her immunisations.  I had done this with my eldest three years previously and the experience was so positive so I expected the same this time round.  I brought a magnet book along with us as a means of distraction.  I had decided beforehand not to tell my daughter why we were there as I didn't think this would be of any benefit and she would not fully understand.  My plan was to sit with her, reading the book and the nurse would administer the two injections. 

Unfortunately upon entering the room I quickly realised this would not be a seamless exercise like before.  The nurse asked if my daughter knew why she is there,  I replied that I hadn't told her.  The nurse straight away without any discussion began to tell my daughter that they would be giving her some medicine and that all the boys and girls would be getting the same as her.  This immediately induced panic on my daughter and she began to cry and tried to wriggle off my lap.  There was no reaction from the nurse, who continued to get on with the task at hand.  By this point my daughter was screaming and crying before she had even had any injections.  I was then told I had to hold her facing forward and hold her legs and arms tight.  An impossible task.  I asked can I just hold her side on and then I will switch her round for the opposite arm (this worked so well with my son).

My daughter was so traumatised she not surprisingly did manage to move slightly and the second injection leaked resulting in her not receiving a full dose.  It was a horrible experience.  My daughter was so upset and I left upset.  There was no regard for using any distraction techniques.  The whole situation felt out of control and poorly managed.  I left feeling so angry and disappointed because I had such a positive experience with my son before and I had hopes this would be the same.