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"Asked to leave hospital with only a t-shirt to..."

About: North Middlesex Hospital

Having passed out, woken by a rude female A&E doctor who was judgmental and said she did not have time to research my condition. Reminded her of NHS Patient Charter, but she either was unaware of its content or ignored the right to patient dignity. This doctor wanted me moved out of an acute bed but this was a sensible measure not carried out. Asked to be attended by another doctor at 1;30AM, registrar arriving two hours later. He has looked up my condition online but was clearly unaware or did not detect my rising level of anxiety. This registrar seemed too impatient to let me complete sentences and would speak over me when I was trying to provide helpful information. Seeing that there was little prospect of practical help from a registrar reduced to reading notes printed from the internet, and having a friend with me who had also been ill and was anxious his phone might have been stolen from my flat (we were robbed) I asked about availability of patient transport. I was still disoriented, felt I was deydrated (I mentioned this to registrar but no water was provided), and only had a t-shirt to wear, my other clothes having been left in my flat. I am also almost blind without my glasses, which I was and fearing we had been robbed could not commit to a taxi to my house (wise, as my wallet and my friend's money were stolen too). I asked for some clothing and was given pyjamas, an extra pair of socks (I had no shoes) but was then told I did not met th criteria for patient transport. There was then a dispute as to whether patient transport had been asked for by staff at all. When I asked to see a printout of of the patient transport criteria, I was told these were not public documents. I then asked to speak to a doctor again regarding this again and in the meantime a nurse said he would remove a central line from me whether I gave my approval or not. Remarking that I was waiting to see a doctor I mentioned patient charter rights, of which he was completely unaware. A random member of hospital staff then abused me verbally in acutes and the nurse raised his voice, increasing my apparently undiagnosed increased levels of anxiety. I was then moved to another section of the hospital, where I dressed in pyjamas and a blanket and finally reached home in very cold temperatures (I have had a chest infection treated with steroids and antibiotics and have asthma triggered by cold) and only made it home on foot in socks on an indirect route guided by my friend. Just before leaving I mentioned my state of anxiety, but this was not examined and despite asking for medical notes, including ambulance notes, these were not provided. At no time was I asked for my GP details. I suggest staff show greater respect for patient dignity and augment listening skills and surely patient transport criteria are public documents. I should have been provided with a copy at least of ambulance notes for my GP as a professional courtesy.

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Responses

Response from North Middlesex Hospital 9 years ago
North Middlesex Hospital
Submitted on 16/12/2014 at 16:34
Published on nhs.uk on 17/12/2014 at 00:00


Thanks for your feedback. I am really sorry to hear about your experiences. I’m afraid A&E isn’t set up to provide patients who are well enough to get home on their own with transport. I am the A&E service manager, Christopher.dinsdale@nhs.net and I will share your comments with the team.

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