"Why does everything take so long?"

My husband attended his GP practice whereby his blood pressure was very high and of concern and therefore was admitted to hospital one Friday.

In the combined assessment unit the staff were all lovely and attentive and after consultation with a Dr and Consultant it was agreed he would be given a CT scan. Before this could happen he was transferred to ward 3D. That evening his condition changed slightly (had cold/numbness in down one side) and during the night into Saturday morning he was taken for a CT scan which came back clear. On consultation with a Dr on Saturday afternoon, my husband was advised he would be given an MRI scan next, and possible lumbar puncture procedure, and that they would also ask the Stroke Consultant to review him. My husband was happy with how things were explained and the plan of action. My husband's high blood pressure remained along with severe headaches.

On Monday, the Consultant reviewed my husband and advised his high blood pressure/headaches was either a viral cause or due to a seizure he had the previous Thursday and that he was fine to go home and was advised to go back the GP for his blood pressure. At this point my husband felt worse than he did when he was admitted and didn't feel comfortable going home feeling like this with no real explanation or plan for his care. Long story short, he was kept in six days in total and discharged on Thursday and discharged with antibiotics.

On Sunday he attended an appointment at ADOC, Crosshouse as he felt very unwell. His blood pressure was very high again and his headaches uncontrollable and the ANP telephoned the CAU. After this call the ANP advised my husband that CAU were not happy with him and that this should be a GP presentation. He was told CAU were very busy but they might see him, it was up to my husband whether he went down there or not. Saddened at this my Husband felt he was doing the wrong thing and returned home. At his GP surgery the next morning his blood pressure was of concern again and he was sent back in to CAU. On Tuesday the Registrar there agreed for an MRI and a few other tests (heart acho, ultrasound, Neurology review and more blood tests). He was then transferred at 2am in the morning to ward 3a. By Friday he had this completed and his neurologist advised his Epilepsy medication would be increased and they would also organise a lumbar puncture procedure. 

Nothing has happened until today, he has just this morning been given his increased medication and be advised last night he may get the lumbar puncture procedure today. 3 full days of nothing happening and no progress being made. 

On the whole my husband's care has been fantastic, but unfortunately there have been a few occasions (mainly one) whilst in CAU on Monday into Tuesday he had his blood pressure checked at 5.30am in the morning and the nurse looking after him did not come near him until after 1pm that afternoon and no one was communicating anything to him. He also had to ask 3 times for pain relief throughout the morning before being given anything. It took until 4.30pm that evening for a Registrar to review him. There was no communication with my husband at times and that was most frustrating. 

We just struggling to see why everything is such a lengthy process?

It has been almost three weeks since first attending.