"Unwell and struggling to breath"

I phoned 111 regarding my partner being very unwell and struggling to breath, I had just tested positive for influenza b a day or so prior, so the chances she had now has it is very high. However she has more health conditions than me regarding her physical health such as asthma so I was aware this might be making her symptoms worse. 

I called 111 and they arranged for an ambulance to come get her due to her breathing when they spoke to her on the phone they were quite worried. I hung up the phone and waited on the ambulance, they then called and said that due to the wait time that they would arrange for a taxi to come and collect my partner. Which to be honest I wasn’t thrilled about as now she had no one to go with her and her breathing was getting worse. But the ambulance said they couldn’t do anything about that. 

So the taxi came and I couldn’t leave my partner to go on her own ( as bad and selfish as this was I had no other option ) I couldn’t risk my partner taking further on well on the way and being alone in a taxi by herself. 

We arrive at Wishaw General and my partner sits outside while I ask 1 out of 3 paramedics in vans outside for a mask so I can go in and book her in. With they kindly gave me. 

I go and explain to the receptionist that I have tested positive for influenza b and I had phoned out of hours regarding my partner who has now also showing symptoms and has breathing difficulties and if they would want us to possibly be isolated ( or even my partner by herself to come in and be isolated ) to which the receptionist stated once she gets triaged the nurse would make that decision and that we could take a seat in the main waiting area until called which wouldn’t be too long.

As Wishaw A&E normally is, especially on a typical Sunday, it was absolutely full every angle and seat was took and people on floors sitting. People standing holding babies you name it. 

I then asked for a mask for my partner as again showing symptoms of influenza b, I went out and got her brought her in and had a quick glance around for a seat with no luck and my partner getting visibly upset and struggling more because the mask with her breathing I went outside and took a blue chair, I brought it in and sat it furthest away from people I could, only option I had was up beside the main reception maybe not the best choice but it was the only one I had. 

After 20/30 minutes waiting, I started to become more annoyed. I fully understand that A&E is really struggling and waiting times are becoming longer due to high demand and high volume of people, I really do understand as I work for the NHS. My problem was we both are infected with influenza b which the member of staff would of seen on my partners notes while booking her in as she was referred by out of hours. I also stated when I came in that we had it so that’s twice now been made aware of the situation. 

Young babies, older public very unwell people and vulnerable people were sat around us, again whether or not I was there wouldn’t have made a difference now as my partner would have still been sitting there.

Now about 40 mins in I went back to reception and explained we felt very uncomfortable sitting in the waiting area around so many unwell people as it could potentially be dangerous. They went and done whatever and came back a couple of moments later 2 nurses came into reception and the receptionist I spoke to got up and went to go talk to them and then pointed at me and my partner.

One nurse came out and said to my partner that they had heard she has the flu and suggested she may be better off going home for a hot bath and a sleep. They also heard that I had flu b and questioned why I was there, and that it was really busy in A&E  and that it wasn't ideal that we were there essentially. 

I explained my partner was struggling to breath, that she has asthma which alongside influenza b isn’t great, and that I had found out 2 days ago of my influenza b.  An ambulance was supposed to come but then phoned and organised a taxi which I could of done myself.  I no way was I going to allow my partner who had pre existing medical conditions and had been  hospitalised previously with breathing emergency’s to get into a taxi and come by herself. I then explained I’m fully aware that we shouldn’t be sitting there and I had told the receptionist twice that we shouldn’t be sitting there. 

My partner said she was struggling to breath to which they unhelpfully and insensitively implied she could as she was talking. They then explained to my partner, that there wasn’t anywhere for us to go and they were very busy (as they always are) they suggested maybe we could be moved beside the toilets. 

Anyone who has been in Wishaw General knows that right beside the toilets is a children/babies area to which, on this day was absolutely full with children and even a child that couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. Outside the toilets already was an older gentleman in a chair and a mother trying to settle her toddler by walking up and down to the toilets cradling the child.

I’m unsure whether they meant outside the toilets.