Final Report > Chapter 17: Parents' Experiences > Generally

Generally

1 As the child was prepared for surgery, we heard distressing evidence from some parents about problems with administering pre-medication, and having to say good-bye to their child at the door of the operating theatre. Michael Parsons told us how he had to carry his daughter, Mia, to the operating theatre awake because the pre-medication had not taken effect. He described how Mia screamed as she was taken from him to be given her anaesthetic. [1] At the same time, we also heard warm testimony as to the kindness and efficiency of staff at all stages of treatment. In essence, the evidence of parents was mixed. To some, the staff, doctors, nurses and others were dedicated, caring and could not have done more. To others, some staff were helpful while others were not. To others again, the staff, largely the doctors and particularly the surgeons, were uncaring and misled parents.

2 It is important to make clear that we do not rely on the evidence of parents as to the relative skill and technical competence of the doctors and nurses, because these are not matters on which the parents themselves have expertise. Some parents referred in their evidence to the views of experts whom they had consulted in the context of litigation. This, of course, was the experts' evidence, not their own. By contrast, the evidence of parents about their experience in human terms, and in terms of being helped to understand and participate in their child's journey through treatment, carries great weight with us.

Footnotes

[1] T2 p.73-5 Michael Parsons