An emergency clinic is telling parents with babies to wait in their cars due to overcrowding and the risk of swine flu.

The policy at an urgent care centre, based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, emerged after one couple were left waiting for a doctor in their car for an hour and a half.

The unit’s bosses claim the “arrangement” was in line with trust policy.

Janis and Lelde Usakovs called an out-of-hours doctor when their 13-month old son Gustavs’ temperature rocketed to above 39C and he became lethargic.

They were told to take him to the urgent care centre based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where they would have an appointment with a GP at 6.30pm on Sunday.

But when they arrived they say a receptionist told them to “go and sit in your car”.

Mr Usakovs, 26, said: “We got to the reception at about 6.25pm and were asked if we had a car. I said a friend had brought us so yes we had come by car and he told me to wait in the car.

The 26-year-old, of Glynde Road, Brighton, said: “We saw two or three other couples with babies waiting in their cars.

“After about 40 minutes I went back in to ask what was happening because it was so strange.

“It is not good for a baby whose temperature is rising to be sitting in a car and waiting.

“But when I went back in I was told to go away again.

“After about twenty minutes the receptionist came out and told us we could see the doctor.

“We eventually saw her at around 8pm.”

The Usakovs, originally from Latvia said the doctor diagnosed that Gustavs had a virus and was medicated that evening.

Mr Usakovs added: “We were treated terribly it was really not a nice feeling and not a good experience and I just wonder whether it is happening to other people and what the reason is.”

The centre is run by South East Health, a not-for-profit company with more than 500 GP members.

Clinical governance manager John Vezey said the arrangements were not ideal but said they were necessary because of the risk of spreading swine flu.

He said: “It is correct that on arrival at the urgent care centre the family were asked to wait in the car for the GP to be available.

“This is a temporary arrangement, aimed at minimising the spread of potential swine flu where patients presenting with feverish symptoms are asked not to enter the waiting room.

“An identified clinic room is then used which is accessed from the entrance area.

“This arrangement is in accordance with local hospital trust policy and national guidance concerning the handling of susprected swine flu.

“Bank Holidays are generally very busy for out of hours GP services and this one was no exception.

“Unfortunately this meant that the family were kept waiting which must have been difficult for them.

“Nonetheless we are pleased to see that the duty GP provided the patient with a through consultation, examination and advice on managing the fever.”

The company said it was trying to find ways to sort the issue out so patients with potential swine flu would not have to wait outside at busy times.

The centre has a separate entrance to the hospital’s A&E department and the hospital has its own separate clinical waiting areas for patients with suspected swine flu.