"Discharged from A&E at night"

Late on a Friday evening, with a history of CFS, gall bladder, IBS, and several other diagnosed illnesses, I was taken to A&E by ambulance from my home.

In extreme abdominal pain, I was eventually seen by a doctor who said with my history there was nothing he could do for me and discharged me. I was wearing a nightshirt and my slippers. I only had my house key.

When I explained that I had no means of getting home I was told to phone someone to get me. I was still obviously in a lot of pain and I didn’t have anyone to phone, and no money to phone even if I had. My two sons were gone for the weekend. I have no other family in the area.

Crying with pain in the waiting area of A&E one of the nurses who had dealt with me saw me there and kindly gave me £5 to take a taxi home. Otherwise I would have had to walk, wearing my nightshirt and slippers, with not even any underwear and a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. May I also say it was around midnight when I was discharged, and the weather was windy and rainy. I have mobility problems and have a motability car and a community alarm.

I went home, writhed in agony until my son telephoned to check on me after which he came home. This is abominable treatment of anyone, let alone someone with my medical history and ailments.

I hate being ill, I hate having to ask for help but most of all I hate being thrown out in the night like a tramp.