Charity Chief Calls For Probe Into Two year Old's Six Hour Hospital Ordeal

STOCKPORT, U.K. - March 14, 2014 - PRLog -- A national children’s charity chief has called for an investigation into complaints that a sick boy of two was left lying across two plastic chairs for six hours while fighting a blood infection because of a chronic shortage of beds at Southampton General Hospital.

Pamela Barnes MBE Hon, FRCPCH, the chairman of Action for Sick Children, said she had been disturbed by accounts outlined by the boy’s parents in the national press and urged hospital chiefs to order an inquiry into the events.

Two years old Callum Giles’ ordeal was outlined by his distraught parents John and Marie who had pleaded with nursing staff to find a bed for their boy who writhed in pain as he fought a blood infection. In desperation they suggested their son should use a camp bed which the hospital keeps for parents to sleep on but were told that would contravene health and safety rules.

Callum was left to lie sweating in his nappy with just the pillow and blanket his parents had brought  from home until a bed was found at 10.30 pm. He was sent home the following afternoon.

Mr and Mrs Giles, who live in Southampton described the care their son received as “absolutely appalling” and demanded an apology from hospital bosses.

However, a hospital spokesman, who was sorry to hear Mr and Mrs Giles were unhappy with the care their son received, said the hospital would be happy to investigate any remaining concerns.

Mrs Barnes added: “The parents of this child have outlined a distressing series of events that need to be investigated thoroughly. We are hearing more and more complaints about the shortage of beds in hospitals and we should be making every effort to ensure children are properly cared for when they are admitted to hospital.

“Hospital staff have a duty to ensure they are doing everything possible to help children when they are admitted to hospital.  Leaving a sick child on two plastic chairs for six hours is simply not acceptable.”

For further information click onto: www.actionforsickchildren.org.uk

ENDS