STRESS WITH THE NHS

Arrived. Eventually followed pedestrians back to their car and was able to wait for their space, the parking alone was stressful.

Staff not happy as GP had added extra bloods without letting the consultant know. I'd managed to get 'Emla' to numb the skin, I'd put it on the insides of Alice's elbows - as instructed by the GP. Staff still not happy - they take blood from the back of the hand and they use a numbing spray not cream!

They were worried about authority and who would pay for the tests. They questioned me closely about if I was legally Alice's mother. I was so stressed that I didn't think to take any paperwork with me, not even her red book, but I did remember the drink, biscuit, book and cuddly 'Pickles'.

The main nurse was stroppy and unpleasant, the support staff were lovely. They kept us waiting over an hour. Predictably Alice screamed! Typically she bled more after they removed the needle! She won't have a bruise. They covered her hand with a little plaster.

After that we went to the supermarket. Getting out of the car I noticed that Alice's plaster had gone - that might have been what she was choking on as I drove out of the hospital, oops!