"As a 20 year woman, on my own, I felt ignored"

I went into hospital with severe abdominal pains, at 11.30pm. I was in A&E until 5.00am, when I was then moved to a ward. I then had to sit in a chair waiting for a bed from 5.00am to 12.00pm.

I was on my own, confused about what was wrong with me, and many different people explained different explanations about my condition. I think that due to me being on my own and a young girl, I was ignored. I saw far more attention being paid to people who had others with them, while elderly people and myself were ignored.

On one occasion, I was transferred to a different ward and told a nurse would examine me and brief me on my situation, while registering me to the ward. I was repeatedly told 'they hadn’t forgotten about me' - but that never happened. I was never briefed or registered. The next day, I was told I could go home. The elderly woman across who had been vomiting all night was told the same. I think we were discharged because our beds were needed.