"A&E Visit with seven month old Granson - Shambles"

I am very sorry that your experience when attending the Paediatric Emergency Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital recently was not of the standard that we endeavour to offer. In response to your comments I would first like to address the waiting time you experienced. As you have stated your grandson was assessed by two nurses, who would have given him a priority order using the national Manchester Triage assessment scale. Unfortunately, if another child with a higher priority arrives, requiring urgent treatment, that child would be given priority and this then increases the waiting time. The department has experienced a large increase of unwell children attending in recent months and this has put added strain on the service. I do understand that the delay and wait was distressing for you and your grandson and again I would like to offer my apology for this. With regards to the cleanliness of the waiting area I fully acknowledge that this was unacceptable. During the month of January the demand on our service has increased, with more than 150 children every day passing through the Paediatric Emergency Department. This additional demand has created additional pressure on the nursing staff and has also meant that additional cleaning has been required. An evening clean of the department has recently been introduced and this will be continually monitored to check it is effective. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience and, again, please accept my sincere apology for the shortcoming in service you received when you and your grandson attended the department. Amanda Boggust, Senior Sister Paediatric Emergency Department