"Care received accessed through the hospital via Stafford A&E"

Early morning I woke to the voice of my daughter shouting me, she had collapsed in the hall way after seeking some paracetamol for a sunned abdominal pain.

I rang NHS direct and they advised me to take her to the nearest A&E, but stafford was closed. They advised me that if her condition did not deteriorate then it would be fine to take her to stafford.

Myself and my Husband went with our Daughter to Staffords A&E department just in time for the doors to be opened for the day, we checked in and sat in the waiting room. My first impressions were that the department had been shut all night but the cleaner was only cleaning as it was open. I fealt that it should have been cleaned over night or at least early so that it was ready when opened.

We were called in promptly by the Doctor who oversaw our care in A&E, he lead us to a nice communal assessment ward and asked my daughter some questions, he paid much attention to the cause. Bloods were taken along with a urin sample and the Doctor examined my Daughters abdomen.

The Doctor advised us that we would be transferred to the Paediatric department for further assesssment. The porter collected us after a short while and took us to a bed where my Daughter was comfortable in for the several hours that would follow.

Four paediatricians came one after the other and were very thorough in their care, the nursing staff also took very concious care of my Daughter.

The blood and urine results were normal and some alternative explanations for the possible cause of the pain were offered. Tea time came and my Daughter was discharged from Hospital in much less pain than she had come in with, it was explained that if any pain persisted in the near future contact should be made to the ward to arrange further assessment. Our stay was comfortable and we had occupied our time with the wards board games, we had felt at home for much of the day.

I would like to personally thank all of the Staff from Stafford Hospital who were involved in the care of my daughter, it was much appreciated.