Home   Medway   News   Article

Schoolboy Alfie-Lee Ward told by doctors at Medway Maritime Hospital his broken wrist was ‘just a sprain’

A schoolboy was left in agony after being told multiple breaks to his wrist and hand were just a sprain.

Alfie-Lee Ward fell off his bike at the park near his parents’ home in Copperfield Road, Rochester, and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital’s A&E department at around 7pm last Saturday.

The 10-year-old was given an x-ray. A doctor said he had only sprained his wrist, and sent him home at 10.30pm.

Alfie with his broken arm
Alfie with his broken arm

Alfie-Lee, the middle child of five, is no stranger to hospitals and pain. He has a stoma in his stomach because of bowel problems and has had 11 operations in his short lifetime.

But mum Carly Ward said: “He did nothing but cry and I could hear him sobbing himself to sleep. It was awful and I felt helpless, I’d given him all the medication I could and it wasn’t making any difference.

“At 3.15am he was rocking back and forth in agony and saying over and over ‘mummy it really hurts’”

Mrs Ward rang the hospital and was told to take him back to A&E where they had another wait before it confirmed he had broken his wrist, as well as bones in his hand.

"He was rocking back and forth in agony and saying over and over ‘mummy it really hurts' "- mum Carly Ward

Mrs Ward, 33, said: “I asked why this wasn’t picked up on and they said ‘the doctor must have looked at the wrong scan because it’s a very obvious break’.

“There’s probably another child with a sprained wrist who now has a cast on for no reason.

“They didn’t give him painkillers and he had to wait twice to be seen.”

He returned home to his dad Mark, who works loading lorries.

A hospital spokesman said: “A member of the emergency department staff has contacted Alfie’s mother to discuss his care.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More