I fell from a standing position and landed on my head and twisting my hip and ankle on a loading trolley which had been left in the aisles. Thought I would get up dust myself and be on my way but that was not to be - I could not get up. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance straight to the A&E. For some unknown reason, I couldn't talk - I lost my speech and I was getting desperate. I was treated as an "illegal immigrant who could not speak English and was abusing the NHS". I started crying out of desperation - desperate to tell someone I could speak perfect English and I just didn't know why this was not happening. I was left to my own devices, soaking in my urine. Once the Xrays on my back and head were done I was put on a trolley and left in the passage. I must have drifted off to sleep because when I came to, the trolley was parked near the reception area and my behind was exposed. Totally confused, I think I was given my clothes and the next thing I remember was two ladies outside the hospital stopping me from walking onto the road (Just missed by a car). I had no shoes on. Something was obviously wrong. I still could not say what was wrong with me. The two ladies called ambulance staff who were just parking. I remember struggling but I was put in a wheel chair and pushed back into A&E. I was crying desperately, I had been in hospital the whole day but I didn't know why. I was hungry and my throat was dry. A nurse shouted, "Just stop crying will you". I was terrified because I was trying to work out what had happened. Just then my son arrived - he said two ladies found me just about to be hit by a car outside the hospital and using my phone managed to call my son. When I saw him, I thought he was my brother and was relieved. My son was calling me "Mom" and I thought that was weird because I thought he was my brother and I wanted my mom. My son asked why I didn't have shoes on and why I was acting weird. A doctor walked up to my son and told him I had hit my head on a hard surface and this lack of speech could have been caused by that and it could take a couple of days or so. Needless to say my son wanted to know if I was alright to go home and he was told yes. The ambulance were great (the lady) but I think the gentleman was a bit agitated because I was unable to talk and at one point unable to open my eyes. Like I said I am very grateful for the NHS but the staff mmmmmmm leave a lot to be desired. Patience, sympathy, duty of care, understanding, a little of time to listen,etc. Staff with these attributes will change the face of the the NHS. I pray I never ever have to go back there again. I went back there weeks later and asked for my shoes and was surprised that they had kept them.
"Grateful we have the nhs but..........."
About: The Maidstone Hospital The Maidstone Hospital Maidstone ME16 9QQ
Posted via nhs.uk
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