"Lack of privacy in childrens A&E at Arrowe Park"

Took my 5 year old son who sustained a laceration to his face following an accident at school. This required a local anaesthetic and 5 stitches.

Obviously this was very traumatic for both my son and I. It was my first experience of the new childrens A&E dept at Arrowe Park and I would like to make a few comments on my experience.

Firstly, the doctor who treated my son was lovely. She spoke very nicely to him and was very sympathetic and supportive during the procedure. What I didn't like is that the doctor had to leave the room 3 times prior to commencing treatment as she did not have the necessary equipment/ materials. Surely it is somebody's job to ensure that the treatment rooms are adequately prepared for the doctor and if not, then it ought to be. I don't feel that a qualified medic should have to go looking for the tools they need to do their job.

Also, every time she opened the door to go looking for things, the whole of the waiting room could see straight into the room where I was trying to console and soothe my son as he was understandably distressed about the forthcoming surgical procedure. This was and is an invasion of privacy, very bad design to have treatment rooms surrounding the main seating area. Who wants an audience when you're having a difficult time, I certainly didn't.

So a mixed review really, staff very good and helpful, environment was cheerful and nicely themed for children, but doctors need to be supported and more consideration needs to be given for people's privacy.

Incidentally, someone actually entered the treatment room when the door was shut whilst my son and I were in there with the doctor without knocking, which is rude and an invasion of privacy and I did not appreciate it.