During 2022 I attended A&E with a serious back concern - I am in my 20s. I was unable to turn in bed, bathe, toilet or dress myself it was so painful. There was a large swelling and my back had distorted itself.
When I attended A&E I was triaged and sent straight through to a physiotherapist (no X-ray given, I have a curvature of the spine). There I was put into more pain from how I was made to get on and off a treatment bed and poked at to check where the pain was.
I left in more pain than I went in with. I left with nothing but one single exercise which then led me to have to contact Dalriada urgent care who gave me a low dosage of pain relief and was not happy to give me any as I was reminded I am only in my 20s.
This pain relief did absolutely nothing for my pain which led to me contacting my GP surgery a further 2 times and was given pain relief over the phone. During this time I did not see one single doctor apart from the one who gave me a rectal examination in the Phsyio-led A&E appointment.
I was diagnosed by that physiotherapist with having muscle spasms. This episode lasted 8 weeks so could not have been muscle spasms. I felt I was not heard by any professional and I felt there was already a plan for me before I had even got to speak to any professional.
I feel that as a staff member of the NHS that I would not dare predict someone's care before even asking what they needed. It makes me question each professional in the service and less likely to use the service. Something needs to change.
Staff skills
Appointments
Treatment
Staff attitude
Seeing the whole me
Pain relief
Environment
Being listened to
Involved in decisions
Doctor
Other staff
Explanations
Responses
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