"Unempathetic treatment"

I attended the ED at Craigavon area hospital recently with shortness of breath (SOB), wheeze and pain between my lungs for assessment as advised by my GP.

As a senior health professional, I have to acknowledge my experience both positive and negative, more so negative.

The front administrative staff and triage staff nurse were friendly, lovely and listened to my reason for attendance and reassured me that I would be treated before being allowed home .

The waiting facilities were too warm for me, no air-con and not great for me suffering from asthma or copd. Whilst waiting in the waiting room, someone walked  into the department drunk , shouting and sat drinking vodka and no staff member bothered to stop this but just kept walking. Once they had finished they walked out and on with their business.

The HCA in triage that took my bloods had, in my opinion, the most disgraceful attitude as seen with other service users and myself. During this time they referred to me as “dear” and did not follow any IPC /ANTT & procedure for undertaking venepuncture.  

After a reasonable wait I was called by a medic that called me by the wrong name - they called me by my surname and then forename- I felt they should have the respect to call me by my christian name. I was instructed and requested to go to blue area.

On arrival I was met with a medical staff member calling my name. They had no name badge and shouting at me come here and did not introduce themselves. I was brought to the end of the open public corridor and told to sit on a chair.

I know the pressures within ED. However, at this time the department was relatively quiet, but to my absolute dismay I was assessed on this chair- no screen, no dignity or respect! I use the word “assess” they did not sound my chest, they didn’t allow me to speak and told me my bloods were fine and to go home.

As I tried to explain, they over spoke me as I explained I was having tightness- to my disgust told you are prone to panic attacks and that was it. I have never been treated or deemed in past to suffer from this and felt belittled by this person i presumed to have been a health care professional.

When asked why I’m having cough and pain in my upper lungs , they checked my Spo2 which was 92% room air and HR 103 bpm said they were ok. I’m asthmatic but controlled. After this disgusting , unempathetic treatment I left.

As I write this I remain symptomatic of SOB, wheeze and pain.

It’s an absolute shame to see what was once a great ED service & hospital become so poor. I feel sorry for the future of this hospital.