[MyButterflyGirls]

I've read so many sad and frustrating stories lately about people's experiences with hospitals that I wanted to share a positive experience.

Last night my DD1 (4y.o.) had a bit of an asthma issue (for the first time) which necessitated me taking her to our local hospital's Emergency Department at about 9pm. She wasn't in signficant distress but the GP I spoke to from the Health Direct line advised me she needed to be treated at the hospital.

I was pretty stressed when we got there - knowing how long the wait has been on previous occasions. However, last night the reception (?) person told me the triage nurse would be out to see us directly which she was within minutes. The emergency doctor came to call us through before the triage nurse had even finished taking DD's obs and DD was treated literally less than 10 minutes after we arrived. I really couldn't be happier with the treatment we received and the concern showed to my DD.

So THANK YOU local ED! You did a great job last night.

[ali27]

Pleases to hear you had a positive experience OP. I hope your little one is feeling much better soon.

[Chelara]

When you really need them, they are fantastic! That's what triage is all about I guess. Hope your dd is feeling better, this is a bad time of year for athsma. Good on you for doing everything right to have her treated.

[lozoodle]

Oh I'm glad to hear you had a positive experience, hope she is on the mend ASAP!

I had a similar positive experience both times I had to take my kids in. The second time I dropped DP and DD2 off and then went to find a parking spot. By the time I walked in about 5 minutes later DD2 was already in a bed being checked out. Not all public ED stories are bad

[Shell14]

Sitting in emergency right now with asthmatic ds. We were taken straight through also, I think breathing issues are triaged to the top of the list they've been great!! Unfortunately it looks as if they're going to need to admit him overnight. Typically dh and I were supposed to be off to a wedding Tomorrow, 6 hrs drive away and two child free nights

[dessiesgirl]

When you really need them, they are fantastic! That's what triage is all about I guess. Hope your dd is feeling better, this is a bad time of year for athsma. Good on you for doing everything right to have her treated.

Very true. Both times DD has broken her arm, we were seen very promptly. I think they usually make the right call, and the people who wait for hours are generally not emergencies.

[~JAS~]

I always find the triage system works well. DS#2 has been through ED so many times with his intestinal issues, I have no idea how many times, but we've never waited too long. He's usually been triaged a 3, and sometimes a 2 though, we've gone straight through then. But even when triaged 4 he's never had to wait long. I hope your DD is ok, OP

Unfortunately it looks as if they're going to need to admit him overnight. Typically dh and I were supposed to be off to a wedding Tomorrow, 6 hrs drive away and two child free nights

Oh Shell that is not fair!! I imagine being child free would be rare for you! I hope he's ok.

[Fennel Salad]

Another positive story here: took my 1 week old DS2 to ED with what looked like a seizure and the triage nurse didn't even finish looking at my baby when we were wisked off to see the Dr who had to deal with an ill child AND a crazy panicked mum.

I was amazed... they really care about little people.

[fairyflossfart]

Unless it is a really bad wound that may require surgery or stitches, or something that may require plaster or observation. We just go to the Hospital GP clinic now. The wait is a lot quicker than the ED and if xrays or anything are needed, then they just send you into the hospital to have it done. Plus the kids think it is cool to have cd's of your arms or legs or whatever, so they can show everyone else.

[CrunchyNut]

We've had nothing but positive experiences with our ED, but we only go we its ultra necessary.