How to go to hospital when you can’t keep them safe?
I have wondered for the past few years how exactly we’d get emergency treatment given I have no way to get our son in to hospital and either keep him there or keep him safe. For context, George has severe learning difficulties, is 17, 6’4” and 100kg. He is taller and stronger than me, he tries to runs off, has PICA (eats non food items all the time) and hates hospitals. And because of all this I have no way to get him emergency care and when I have asked doctors what would happen the answer was always “no idea, but they’ll find a way”. Well, I now have an answer.
The other night George swallowed one of his mother’s AirPods, we called 111 (UK non emergency advice line) and they said for most 17 year olds in this situation they need to go straight to A&E but due to George’s situation they would send paramedics to work it out.
The paramedics came, assessed him and began to formulate the plan. This involved a consultant who sits bridging the gap between paramedics and hospital doctors. He determined that we could wait and see if it passes naturally but that they would need a plan if George shows any sign of pain or discomfort.
The plan was an air ambulance, sedation in the field, an emptied lockable hospital room, significant additional staffing and transport home.
Fortunately the AirPod passed at 7am the next morning so we were ok, but I am relieved to now know that if there is an emergency there is help, that they will take his situation fully into account.
Oh, and after cleaning and spending 24 hours sealed in a container next to baking soda I can report the AirPod still works perfectly!!