Having had an awful and extremely frightening experience of distorted vision and strange head pains an ambulance was called for me and took me to The Pilgrim hospital, Boston A & E dept. The ambulance crew were wonderful, very comforting and reassuring and cared for me so well.
At A&E I was seen quickly by a nurse and then put in a side room for 2. 5 hours without seeing anyone. I was feeling very ill, frightened and concerned about my health but no one came to see me or talk to me during this period. The ward was very noisy, with a group of 5 & 6 people going in and out of one the screened areas laughing and joking. I had a bad headache, was very concerned I had had a stroke or brain bleed, but was left without any reassurance, discussion or review of my situation which made me worry that my situation could deteriorate.
After 1. 5 hours my partner asked when I would be seen and was told I was next to see the doctor, after waiting another 0. 5 hour he asked again and was told a few minutes. Having arrived at about 6. 15pm it was after 9. 00 before I was eventually seen, told I needed a CAT Scan to see if I had had a stroke. After being put in another room I was sent for the CAT scan and then back to the room. After waiting again I was told without any explanation that I was going to CDU ward.
On CDU ward I saw a doctor who told me my scan was clear, I would need to attend the eye clinic the next day and that I could go home. A nurse removed my cannula and when I asked why I had been sent to CDU told me I had 'breeched' A& E. I asked what that meant and she said that I had been there over 3 hours.
The lack of communication during this experience was disgusting, bearing in mind that I thought I may have had a stroke, felt very ill and was really frightened. All patients want is to be treated with respect, care and dignity and as if they matter. When you are in A&E and waiting, you see staff standing around, chatting, having a laugh which is not a problem if you feel that you have been dealt with. It may be a daily situation to them but to the patients it is an unexpected an frightening scenario.
"An unexpected and frightening scenario"
About: East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust / Emergency ambulance East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust Emergency ambulance Nottingham NG8 6PY Pilgrim Hospital / Accident and emergency Pilgrim Hospital Accident and emergency Boston PE21 9QS Pilgrim Hospital / Ophthalmology Pilgrim Hospital Ophthalmology PE21 9QS
Posted by Frannywoo (as ),
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