"Lovely staff but wait for urology appointment"

I was going about my day to day and noticed I was unable to urinate. After 9/10 hours ish I had had a lot to drink and was beginning to panic.

I called Nhs24 and was put through immediately to a call handler. The person was really easy to speak to and reassuring. After consulting with the nurse on the phone I was immediately contacted by King’s Cross out of hours with an appointment for in 1 hour time. 

I arrived at King’s Cross and called  reasonably quickly. This was on an evening and there appeared to be no other service users around. The Doctor was kind and reassuring and involved me in decision making of next steps which was unfortunately to catheterise me. The doctor was really respectful, considerate and took a full history from myself. after communicating with urology and gynaecology made the recommendation to have me admitted into hospital that evening to begin investigations (had other things going on to) .   

I found my way up to Ninewells hospital and into gynaecology. I was seen by the on call doctor to assess and admit me. Whilst waiting I was taken to a clinic room and a nurse asked me some questions , helped me get changed into a gown and went over the information she required. Then had the physical examination before being shown to my bed. Everyone I met in this unit was lovely. They were all so kind , considerate and patient (even when they were really busy). I could not fault any of the nurses, Hca’s or doctors I had interactions with. I was allowed home the next day  on the promise of returning for more tests the following day  

 I attended the genealogical assessment unit. Again everyone I interacted with was lovely , a nurse even walked me to the scan area so I knew how to get there and back prior to my scan times. The doctor had also kind manner, listening well and explaining my results to me in a easy way to understand. I was in a great deal of pain through rare interaction also and was kind enough to do get me something for it. However after all of these tests were completed they made me aware they would refer me back to my GP. Any further tests would have to be overseen by urology. I asked if they could refer me and she responded saying I don’t require inpatient treatment and would refer me back to my GP.

 So I left the hospital unsure why they could not refer me to outpatients at least. As I left the hospital I called my GP in the car park as I was still in a great deal of pain and struggling at times to pass urine. My GP was in a similar frame of mind agreeing I needed to be reviewed and urgently due to my illness (other things going on too) prescribed me stronger painkillers and an urgent referral to urology. 

I had been catheterless for several days but struggling intermittently. That day I went into retention again and ended up attending A&E. I attended and was catheterised within 45 minutes of arriving which was brilliant. I was seen as stream 2. Nurse was amazing really calming and lovely. Doctor spoke with urology again who said they had a referral and to send me home. Advised keep catheter in. Could hear staff being verbally abused but they continued to treat everyone with kindness although visibly appearing stressed understandably.

The next day I contacted urology as I hadn’t heard anything. Told my referral wasn’t vetted yet by consultants so I will likely hear back about an appointment next week.

Two days later. Trip 2 to A&E as my catheter stopped working. After 6 hours I went to A&E, I went around midnight and it was extremely busy. I was seen within 4 hours, and taken to a bed. I was catheterised in the early hours.  Although the unit was horrendously busy I was reviewed by doctor also as-well as catheterised and again urology updated and again await review in community. 

Another two days later -  contacted district nurses about catheter issues - advised urology appointment  coming. Now 10 days post scan.