Angry mum slams children's ward cuts after poorly baby son's ten hour wait

Ashlea Crowder had taken her young son, Edward, to Bassetlaw A&E after his temperature shot up dramatically one afternoon- not knowing they were in for an “exhausting and stressful” wait.

It took more than three hours for Edward to be seen by a paediatrician, who diagnosed the 13-month-old with suspected gastroenteritis.

In a controversial move by Trust bosses, the children’s ward at the hospital has been closed to admissions after 7.30pm due to staff shortages- so Edward then had to be transferred to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Ashlea said: “Once we got to Doncaster, I was expecting to finally be taken to a bed for Edward. I was very wrong.

“I got sent round to a waiting area and told to have a seat until the doctor has come to assess him- by this time it was past midnight.

“I had to wake Edward up for the doctor to diagnose him with the exact same thing he had been diagnosed with at Bassetlaw.”

Edward was finally granted a bed at 3:05am - after a gruelling wait of more than ten hours.

“If the children’s ward at Bassetlaw, Edward would have been given the rest he needed instead of putting him through stress for the next six hours.

“It was unbelievable- it’s not acceptable. What is it going to take for the hospital to realise that the cuts are negatively impacting on families?” added Ashlea.

Trust chiefs have apologised to Ashlea and blamed a “lapse in communication” for the ordeal.

Moira Hardy, acting director of nursing, midwifery and quality at Bassetlaw and Doncaster Teaching Hospitals Trust, said: “The Children’s Ward at Bassetlaw Hospital is currently closed to admissions from 7pm due staffing issues.

“This means that those needing overnight observation are safely transferred to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, ensuring the most appropriate treatment is received by every child.

“I am pleased that Edward has made a full recovery, however in this instance their appears to have been a lapse in communication and I apologise for any additional discomfort this has caused.

“Ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of care is our upmost priority and we review issues so that we can learn how we can improve our patients’ hospital experience, whilst maintaining safety.”