Sophie's Hospital Visit
After only being in London for two weeks Sophie got sick with croup. In order to see a doctor at a clinic here you have to be "registered". Well, I hadn't gotten this done yet, so in order for Sophie to be seen (as my doctor back home recommended, yes I had to call) by a doctor we had to take her to the emergency room (known as the A & E, Accident and Emergency room here). I knew it was close to our flat, but didn't know how close (5 minutes walk--2-3 minutes if we had to run!).
It was a slightly different process than in the states, she was assessed first by a "sister" or nurse. She determined that Sophie did need to be seen by a doctor so we were escorted to the children's wing. Amazingly we didn't have to wait to long to be seen (and the waiting room had great toys and books) and Jeremy was able to meet us in the children's wing. Sophie was assessed and determined to have croup. They gave her an oral steroid to help open up her throat (since she had lost her voice and to decrease the coughing) and it kicked in within 5 minutes. It was amazing and gave her some energy to run around and bounce off the walls! After being under observation for a few hours, Sophie was able to be released and we headed home. We were given another dose of the steroid to use in the morning if needed because as the doctor put it "we looked like reasonable people" (good thing!). After about 1 1/2 weeks Sophie was back to herself 100%, it just took a little time and lots of time at the flat.
The hospital visit did not cost us anything either since we are resident's of the UK. Health care is free to all resident's. A very interesting system. And, Jeremy, Sophia and I all are now currently "registered" with a GP clinic so we can see a doctor during their hours anytime it is needed.
posted by Chris @ 9:00 PM
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