Docs said two-year-old's broken leg was 'psychological' - and sent him home
Filed under: Advice and health
Cascade
A two-year-old boy was sent home with a broken leg after doctors dismissed his injury as 'psychological'.
Archie Eldridge had been given a temporary cast after an X-ray revealed he had a hairline fracture following an accident in gymnastics.
Ten days later, mum Natasha, 33, took Archie to a specialist who inspected the X-rays and then removed the cast.
"The doctor informed us there was no fracture to his leg and asked Archie to walk, but he struggled to put any weight on his right leg," Natasha, from Dartford, Kent, told the Sun.
"The doctor said this was psychological and he would be walking within the next few days."
But two weeks after being discharged from Darent Valley Hospital, Archie was still in pain and struggling to walk so Natasha took him to another hospital for a second opinion.
Staff at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup referred the youngster to his GP, who then sent him back to the SAME fracture clinic that had made the mistake.
After more X-rays, the consultant admitted he had misdiagnosed Archie two weeks earlier.
We were told Archie was very lucky there was no long-term damage.
"He admitted the initial fracture diagnosis was a mistake and we had every right to be angry but we should concentrate on getting Archie back to full health."
A Darent Valley Hospital spokesman said: "We take complaints very seriously and we will be investigating.
"Once we have concluded our investigations, we will be writing to Mr and Mrs Eldridge with the results of our findings."
Poor little boy!
Lovely times children bring us
- Eating children's food<p> Which parent hasn’t served up kids' favourites like fish fingers and baked beans, then finished up the leftovers or used the children as an excuse to gorge on more ice cream?</p>
- Cloud watching<p> Before becoming a mum or dad you were too busy to look up. Now, on at least one day a summer, you end up lying on your back in the grass looking at the shapes in the clouds.</p>
- Learning stuff<p> Tired of being asked how everything works, or what it’s called, you find yourself glad that you’ve made the effort to identify the names of trees or find out how planes can fly.</p>
- The magic of Christmas<p> Before parenthood the big day saw you watching relatives snoring in front of the TV and getting bad presents. Now you get a thrill making up stockings for excited kids.</p>
- Playing with toys<p> Before having children if you told your friends you’d spent the weekend playing with a train set or mucking about with Play-Doh they’d have probably had you locked up.</p>
- Laughing<p> Once you probably had to go to a comedy club to get a good belly laugh. Now, even after a bad day, you find yourself amused at your kids’ antics.</p>
- Having picnics<p> As a couple you used to eat out quite a bit. Now, short of cash, eating al fresco at a beauty spot not only seems fun, it’s so much easier than trying to make kids behave in restaurants.</p>
- Chidren's TV<p> At first shows like In The Night Garden seemed weird. Now you’re its biggest fan. Plus you’ve got the excuse to buy that DVD box set of Danger Mouse - really for you, not them.</p>
- Child-like activities<p> Before your brood came along when was the last time you tried to draw a picture, build a sandcastle or sing a song while walking along the High Street? </p>
- Going bonkers for conkers<p> When was the last time you picked up the shiny autumn wonders? Now you can’t wait to thread on strings and challenge youngsters to a match.</p>
- Creature comforts<p> Your life has gone animal crazy. It seems that every other weekend you’re at a zoo chuckling at chimpanzees or stroking rabbits at a kid's farm</p>
- Reading classic books<p> Suddenly you’ve never done so much reading. You get the chance to enjoy all those classics like Winnie The Pooh and Treasure Island all over again without embarrassment.</p>
- Time to yourself<p> Those precious nights out with your other half, the rare lie-in or just chilling out on the sofa when the children have gone to bed have never seemed quite so sweet.</p>
- Natural wonders<p> Since having a child you’ve spent more time looking at flowers than ever before and thanks to jumping in puddles or making snowmen you enjoy the seasons changing more.</p>
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