Weston Coyney tot sent home from walk-in centre with broken arm
A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl was sent home with a broken arm after being misdiagnosed at a walk-in centre.
Joanne Hollins-Cooper, aged 31, from Weston Coyney, took daughter Jessica to the centre in Hanley after the tot took a tumble at the family home.
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Joanne Hollins-Cooper with her daughter Jessica.
Following an examination, Joanne was told that Jessica had just badly bruised the arm and needed bed rest. But three days later, concerns were raised when Jessica could not lift her arm at playgroup. Joanne took her daughter to the A&E unit for a second opinion.
After a series of x-rays, Joanne was shocked to be told that her daughter had broken her arm in two places.
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Joanne said: “Jessica was playing at home and running around, like every toddler does. Before I knew it, she had tripped over and fallen down awkwardly. I tried to have a look but she was crying out in pain every time I touched it.”
After waiting an hour at the walk-in centre in Stafford Street, Jessica’s arm was examined.
Joanne, of Weston Coyney Road, said: “I was told nothing was broken and it was just badly bruised.
“She advised us to have some rest for a couple of days and to give Jessica some Calpol for the pain.
“At the time, I thought ‘they know better than me’ so I believed her when she said it wasn’t broken.
“Obviously, Jessica was very grumpy but I just put it down to her arm being sore.”
But when she did not improve, the family went to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
The x-rays revealed that Jessica’s right arm was broken in two places, either side of the elbow.
Joanne said: “I just cried because I felt so guilty that she had been walking around with a broken arm for all that time.
“I had done what I thought was best and trusted the professionals.”
Jessica had her arm in plaster for two weeks. At a further appointment, doctors found there was still a small fracture. She is due to go back for a further check-up in three weeks.
Meanwhile, the family has lodged a formal complaint with the walk-in centre which is run for NHS by Harmoni.
Joanne said: “They have not apologised to me but I have been told they are investigating. I am very angry. We are told to use walk-in centres rather than A&E, to ease the pressure on the hospital – but look what happens when you do.”
Dr Russell Kelsey, regional medical director for Harmoni, said: “As the largest provider of out-of-hours urgent care in the country, we pride ourselves on offering the highest levels of patient care and satisfaction. Any patient concern with our service is treated very seriously.
“We are in the process of investigating this complaint and as soon as those investigations are concluded, we will share our findings with the mother.”
Comments
by Bernwa
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 5:46PM
“And this is what is basically wrong with the system that they are trying to establish now for the mass of the people due to economics.
Unless the right equipment is available to investigate thoroughly, a diagnosis can only be an educated guess at best, and sometimes it's going to be wrong.”
by warren-lloyd
Saturday, November 10 2012, 10:58PM
“We are just going round in rings hear Bethy, the women is not trained to make the call on it being broken or not, that the walk in center as not go x-ray, that should focus t staff on looking for them and sending to A&E, lack of care, plane and simple a that , an ohhhh! Look, it privately ran.”
by Bethy_
Saturday, November 10 2012, 3:10PM
“Lynda: no, not dating her ex - and you clearly dont know what this woman's capable of, especially living so far away. You're getting drip fed the information that the Hollins family want you to know.
Warren: she isn't lying about the problem with the walk in centre. My gripe is the reasons behind why she has gone to the Sentinel about it. Don't be naive enough to think it is to protect others. (I would imagine this is her secondary reason, if she thought of it at all)
The walk in centres are not equipped to deal with possible fractures/breaks from accidents. That is why "ACCIDENT and emergency" departments exist.”
by warren-lloyd
Friday, November 09 2012, 10:33PM
“Bethy-----would you like to explains your problem hear. this lady as no reason to lie about this, records can be traced. she just wants the assurance this is not going to hapon sgin o anyone, I think we all do.”
by lynda
Friday, November 09 2012, 7:33PM
“Bethy-
I question where you are getting your facts from, certainly not from the newspaper article. Why are you on this crusade against the mother of this child? Isn't it every Mother's instinct to protect her child? It would seem that you have a vested interest in this case are you by any chance dating her ex-husband?
Jean U.S.A.”
by Bethy_
Friday, November 09 2012, 1:38PM
“Has no-one noticed that no dates are quoted in the article? This is because it happened weeks ago - like I said a PR stunt for the mum.”
by Bethy_
Friday, November 09 2012, 1:35PM
“Lynda- What is slanderous? Slander is only such if it is untrue”
by lynda
Friday, November 09 2012, 12:01PM
“I'm appalled that such slander is allowed to be posted by people like Bethy. I know these are false allegations, and should be censored. Pity, because in my country... defamation of character is grounds for a lawsuit.
Bethy... you are a a malicious, petty person. Keep your nose in your own business.
Lynda Byrd
USA”
by warren-lloyd
Friday, November 09 2012, 11:51AM
“Bethy, how can you say the mother suspected a break, she is not trained to do so, and though she was doing right by A&E by using a walk in center, witch is only what the PCC encorage people to do. I don't think her love life is in question nether. Drag and gutter spring to mind.”
by Bethelly
Friday, November 09 2012, 11:43AM
“Are't libellous comments such as those by Bethy are supposed to be blocked? It appears that anything goes on this site”