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About: Colchester General Hospital / Accident and emergency

I've never experienced a bigger drama then the A&E here. My partner fell down the stairs whilst 4-6 weeks pregnant. So to the A&E we went. She had a sore hip and her tummy was painful. Reason to go. We get welcomed by a very unprofessional person who was saying it was a trauma matter.

Ok fair enough you can't be careful enough. However after later examination, of her back and neck, the trauma was called off. However the serving doctor asked to stay to maybe get a CAT scan. The responsible persons behind the CAT scan advised that a scan could be bad for the baby. However in the meanwhile we were told maybe an MRI scan had to happen (various doctors). Other surgeons had to examine her as well. Then another member of staff (I don't even want to call them a doctor or a nurse and their behaviour was unacceptable and the quality of heir English was below standards) says I can take her home.

But their manner of speaking and explaining was so rude that it upset my partner.

They then asked her what she wanted to do,

MRI scan or cat scan or whatever examination, but that actually there is nothing wrong with her. My partner kept looking to me to see if I could answer for her.

All I could do is find out what was going on and what the actual procedure would be.

But I advised her if they want to keep an eye on you, it's better to stay here. Another doctor comes along and says we need to wait for another surgeon to asses my partner. This surgeon comes along and advises her to stay overnight. Which of course we agreed too. Today - still no MRI scan, cat scan or not even an ultra sound scan.

It won't happen until tomorrow now. 36hours later.

Still nothing. Now the complete joke of the story.

My partner, clearly upset during this period was looking at me and emotional during this whole escapade, and trying to look for answers from me.

Absolutely normal. However this completely incapable unit has someone working there who calls in social services.

They think my partner might have been abused or pushed of the stairs (no bruises nothing visible).

Social services comes in and takes my partner into a room (I wasn't there anymore because they won't allow you to stay of course) and questions her. After this my partner calls me and explains what's happened. Social services totally agree that the A&E made a complete mess out of the whole situation, and all they could see was my partner being upset by their unprofessionalism. They apologised and told her to file an official complaint.

It's not even about the defamation of character of me personally.

It's about my partner still being in there and none the less wiser.

All that's achieved is her being upset and angry because of the whole situation (well done at a pregnancy.) If I could do something I would. But they won't give you names or what so ever. But my goodness. This A&E is the joke of the century!

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Responses

Response from Colchester General Hospital 7 years ago
Colchester General Hospital
Submitted on 07/12/2016 at 13:26
Published on nhs.uk on 08/12/2016 at 01:30


I am so terribly sorry reading about your experiences in Accident and Emergency. I would really appreciate you making contact with one of our complaint coordinators on 01206 742881 who would be more than happy to take all the details and investigate further.

From what you have described in your feedback this is not acceptable of the standards we would tolerate at our hospital.

My profuse apologies to both you and your partner. I do hope she is recovering well.

Kind regards

Tammy Diles

Head of Patient Experience

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