Boy 'not treated' for head injury

James was treated for a blood clot on his brain

A baby who needed emergency surgery for a fractured skull waited an hour and a half at a hospital but was not checked by staff, his parents have claimed.

Jonathan and Rebecca Stanton, of Ashton-under-Lyne, took their son James to Tameside General Hospital after he fell from a table and hit his head.

They said none of the medical staff looked at the eight-month-old, even after they asked a doctor for help.

The hospital has apologised and said a full investigation will take place.

Mr and Mrs Stanton left the hospital after about 90 minutes to feed James.

By this time, he was still crying and was obviously distressed, his parents said.

Mr Stanton said it was an "absolute joke"

They later called NHS Direct, who told them to take their son straight back to A&E.

The couple decided to try the larger unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital, where he was checked and found to have a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage.

By this time, James had started to vomit and was passing out.

He was admitted to a ward straight away and taken for emergency surgery for a blood clot on his brain.

Mr Stanton said: "The way we were treated was an absolute joke, we should have been seen straight away.

"We just think this needs to be sorted so it doesn't happen to anyone else."

A spokesman for Tameside General Hospital said: "We would like to apologise to the family of James Stanton for the distress they have suffered and assure them this matter is being urgently investigated."