Parents slam NHS for letter sent to toddler

Morgan Bell was twice taken to the accident and emergency department at Hull Royal Infirmary suffering from severe tonsilitis.

He had a temperature of over 40 degrees, was having fits and vomiting and was kept in overnight.

His family were shocked and angered when they received a letter addressed to their toddler – telling him to be "more resourceful of NHS resources".

The letter also advised him to attend a minor injuries unit instead of casualty, despite the unit not treating children aged under two.

His mother Emma Lloyd, 32, from Hull, said: "I'm absolutely disgusted. It's a shameful thing to send out to parents who worry constantly about their children.

"It adds pressure on us. I was terrified to see Morgan like that. If it's about money, I would have sold the clothes on my back to get him to A&E."

Morgan was first taken to the emergency department in January when he was ill with the distressing symptoms, and again in May when he had a similar bout of severe tonsilitis.

His father Philip Bell, 30, said: "This letter is questioning why I took my child to hospital.

"If Morgan falls ill again and gets a temperature of over 40 degrees, am I supposed to keep him at home so I don't waste NHS resources?

"It makes you worried to go to the hospital in case you get a letter. I felt it was a threatening letter.

"The paramedics and doctors obviously thought he needed to be there in January.

"We took him back to A&E for a second time in May because we thought he was starting again and we didn't want to risk it," said Mr Bell.

The letter was generated by computer at NHS Hull and apparently refers to the family's visit in May.

It told Morgan that the average A&E appointment costs more than 100, which increase if tests, X-rays or other treatments are needed.

The primary care trust has admitted it was "inappropriate" to address the letter to the toddler and said it should not have been sent to the family at all.

A spokeswoman for the Hull trust added: "In this instance, it was not appropriate for the letter to suggest the use of Bransholme Minor Injuries Unit as an alternative, owing to the child's age, and it would have been more appropriate for the letter to have been addressed to the child's parent or guardian.

"Once the computer system is triggered by a visit for a minor illness or problem, a standard letter is generated in the name of the patient.

"As Mr Bell has already been in contact with the practice about this issue, we would encourage him to speak to the practice again to try to resolve any concerns he may have."

A spokeswoman for East Riding Of Yorkshire Local Involvement Network, the East Riding's independent health watchdog, said minor injuries units should be more widely publicised.

However, she added: "We would not want anyone to feel it is not appropriate for them to attend A&E if they feel they need accident and emergency attention.

"We recognise each person has to make a judgment as to the level of emergency and take the action that they feel is appropriate to the situation at that time"