"Admission straight from Ladybank Surgery because of possible chest pain"

The ambulance arrived at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy around 5. 45pm. No-one had mentioned that I would be admitted so it came as quite a shock since I had absolutely nothing with me apart from my wallet and mobile phone. I was taken to Admissions Ward 1. After a while, I asked whether there was anything available to eat as I had had nothing since lunch and was told "the trolley will be round soon". Well, it came but all I was offered was three triangles of toast (white bread which I NEVER eat) and a few pieces of cheddar cheese (the fattiest available).

A nurse came round to do some bloods (including INR) but, unfortunately, she forgot to do the latter and it had to be done later by another nurse. Perhaps as a result of this debacle, I was not allowed to take my usual dose of Warfarin although the results for a couple of weeks before that, had been very low and, in fact, one taken on the Wednesday of that same week was 1. 2! I was then moved to Admissions 2. In the morning, I was told that a consultant would come round to see me but I had to wait all day apparently because of visitors who took precedence. At one stage, I asked a nurse what my INR result had been but she could not find it on the screen. I also had to ask before I left what dose of Warfarin I should take as no-one had mentioned this which is a very important factor.

Altogether, I could not help feeling that I was treated rather cavalierly by senior staff (the nurses were wonderful). I have always defended the NHS but the above experience has somewhat dented my confidence in the organisation. The final diagnosis was arthritis in my chest which is not surprising as it is just about everywhere else in my body.