Develop. Med. Child Neuvol. 1972, 14, 423-424

EDITORIAL

TAKING OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING

ALL of us can learn from Mr. Peter Klashort, so we reprint what is below. How does he project such a warm and deep understanding within a few seconds of parents meeting him?

‘As I am the head porter, who also works on the switchboard and front lodge, I am the first person parents see when entering the hospital with their children, so I try to make them feel at home.

Naturally, most parents are upset, especially if it is an only child, or if it is the first time away from home.

I do my best to make them feel at ease, by asking the child’s name or the name of a doll or teddy-bear that the child may be carrying.

If the mother has a child who seems a bit too heavy for her, I take it and carry it to the department concerned.

Also, on the telephone, when parents ring through enquiring about the condition of the child, we try to be as polite and sympathetic as possible, knowing the parents are upset.

A mother whose child had died came to me and asked me to put a silk dress on her, only because 1 had known her as a patient for a number of years, and she did not want anyone eIse to touch her. In the event of death, I put the parents in a waiting room, then get them a cup of tea, or give them a cigarette.

At times, parents leave other children for me to look after whilst they are visiting.

I usually help the parents of spastic children by carrying them to the Physio Department.

If parents come to me and complain that they have to wait any length of time in a clinic or the casualty ward, I usually manage to settle them by explaining that the doctor may have been held up on a particular case.

I am asked what different consultants are like, and do I think they are any good or not, or if they know their particular job properly. They have even asked what Dr. Mac Keith is like, and I have told them.

When a child has an operation, the parents may be waiting, and they come and have a chat with me and ask if I think everything will be all right.

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DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY. 1972, 14

Sometimes, a child is brought in by ambulance, and the mother, in a hurry, has forgotten her purse. I then ask her if she has her fare home, and if not I give it to her. It is usually only a shilling or two, but they are very grateful for it.

Parent relationship is very good at the hospital. I have bought an electric kettle and tea-pot so that when parents are a little upset I can make them a cup of tea.

We are sometimes invited to the child’s birthday party at home, and on numerous occasions we have been asked to attend a funeral.’

RONALD MAC KEITH

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