We recently attended A&E at Wishaw General due to the fact my child had sustained a fall and subsequently stopped using their arm and was very distressed.
After consultation, examination, x-rays, it was deemed a pulled elbow and we were sent home and told to watch and if any concerns to return.
At home they were still pained, however this was put down to the fact she had an injury and we carried on.
13 days later I received a phone call from an emergency dept consultant who informed us that my child had in fact sustained a fractured elbow and they would speak with orthopaedics as my child should have been in a cast on the day of injury. I was told that radiology review x-rays usually within the week and the consultant did not know why it has taken 13 days for the x-ray to be reviewed.
Upon the return phone call, after speaking with orthopaedics we were given a choice of fracture clinic appointments to suit to have my child seen, given the fact they have had an unknown fracture for almost 2 weeks.
The fracture clinic saw them and assessed mobility, palpated joint/location of fracture which caused much distress and pain and we were told it seems to be healing as they are moving the affected arm, make sure they do not jump/fall on the arm if possible and call if any concerns. No further x-rays taken at the time to ensure fracture is healing, despite the fact they should have been in a cast from the day of injury.
I understand due to their young age they do not wish to expose a child to unnecessary radiation via x-ray, however I do not feel that it is acceptable to touch a fractured joint, and state it's healing well, given the fact it has been treated as a pulled elbow for almost two weeks.
There was no forward plan in regards to reviewing the fracture again, x-ray, exam. No explanation as to why this was missed and highlighted almost two weeks later. The repercussions of the arm not being in a cast, what to look for, nothing.
I understand there are pressures within the health service, however I feel that highlighting a fracture 13 days later is negligent. As a family we feel very upset that we have been carrying on as if the arm was pulled, encouraging movement, when in fact it was fractured.
The care my child has received has been poor, and has caused much emotional distress and pain for both them, and the wider family.
"The care my child has received has been poor"
About: Outpatients Department / Fracture Clinic Outpatients Department Fracture Clinic G75 8RG University Hospital Wishaw / Emergency Department University Hospital Wishaw Emergency Department ML2 0DP
Posted by Btx3 (as ),
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Update posted by Btx3 (a parent/guardian) last week