"I attended the A&E department ..."

What I liked

I attended the A&E department with my 9mth old son on 12th June 2009 at around 10pm. He was being viciously sick and was very weak. At the time my husband was away so I did the only thing I knew and went to get help. The reception staff were fine and we were seen very quickly. However when my son was examined by the doctor, we were informed that we were NOT to bring children to A&E as the 'girls don't like it.' By the girls I assume he meant the receptionists. He then told me it was a viral infection and to take him home again. On leaving his consulting room my son proceeded to throw up again for a number of minutes. The doctor took one look at us and turned on his heel and walked away. He didn't offer any assistance or aid in cleaning up where my son had thrown up on the floor.

What could be improved

Everything. The nursing staff wandering around with cups of coffee ignored the sick on the floor and gave me short shrift when I pointed it out on the floor in the waiting area.

Anything else?

I was very distraught with the attitude of both doctor and the nursing staff to my clear distress with my son. When you attend A&E you expect a little bit of sympathy and helpfullness but all I got was attitude and told not to attend!!! What else am I meant to do with a sick baby? I can't describe my distress and upset at the attitude and comment from the doctor. It now brings into question my trust of the doctors and nursing staff at Macclesfield A&E.