I had to phone out of hours at 2am, due to the fact I was struggling to breath with my asthma and coughing a lot. The nurse on the phone was lovely and I was asked to attend out of hours as soon as possible as she realised I was struggling. I managed to get myself there and again the receptionist was really nice and sympathetic. However, I was called in by staff who did not introduce themself and I was told to sit down. I explained the best I could whilst struggling for breath and coughing a lot what had happened and the staff pushed a pulsometer I think it was on my finger. I noticed my pulse was 120 and sats 92%. The staff took it back off and told me it was fine. I was then given an aero chamber and I was told to breath into it 12 times which I did and I was told "breath normally" which when you are struggling for breath and coughing was difficult.
The staff then looked at something on their mobile and asked why I had a dog tag necklace and I said it was my asthma and I suffer seizures when I'm unwell. I was then told to take antibiotics and before I left, to take 8 prednisolone. I said about the seizures again as I have been told by my gp I couldn't take prednisolone, as they can trigger seizures. The staff looked at me and said yes said I could go home even though I was still struggling with my breathing. I took the 2 boxes of medication off the table and left.
I went to get water to take the steroid and realised there were no stickers stating my details and no instructions on how many amoxicillin I was to take a day and on the steroids again no patient details. I mentioned this to the receptionist who was so nice and apologised and took the boxes back to the staff. As it was being sorted out, I took the 8 steroids as I was instructed. The receptionist came back with my medication but there was still no patient details on the medication but a scribble one 3 times a day. As I was leaving I started to feel worse I was near my car which was parked in a bay by a&e and I knew I was about to faint I got to the doors of a&e as it was the closest place when I collapsed.
The next thing I remember I woke up in resus with a lot of people around me. The a&e staff were all fantastic as they realised I was scared. I ended up needing to have nebulisers for my asthma and was told I had a severe asthma attack and a seizure. the doctor reluctantly let me go home at 0700 as I was feeling better and my sats were back up to 98%. I can't thank the staff enough in a&e who looked after me they were all welcoming, introduced themselves and listened to my concerns and explained everything they were going to do. I am extremely disappointed with the staff in out of hours, who made me feel as though I was wasting their time and appeared not sympathetic. No introduction, no eye contact and I felt I wasn’t being listened to. I just hope I do not have to go back to out of hours again if that's how you are treated.
"Out of hours department"
About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Accident & emergency Forth Valley Royal Hospital Accident & emergency FK5 4WR
Posted by Katy2 (as ),
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