"Very satisfied with the prompt service"

I called 111 on behalf of my partner who has Multiple Sclerosis and has a catheter. I was alarmed to see bright red urine, as it was 7: 00pm after surgery hours I called 111 for advice.

The operator took all the usual details and said a doctor would come to the house within an hour but I was to call back if there was a worsening in her condition. In the meantime her carer arrived and was concerned that my partner’s breathing seemed shallow.

I telephoned 111 again and within minutes an ambulance had been sent to us. The paramedics immediately took my partner into the ambulance and contacted the Croydon University Hospital to arrange to take her to the A&E department.

I was very satisfied with the prompt service from the 111 service, it was very reassuring. I could not fault them.

At the hospital my partner was kept in A&E overnight and then transferred to a main ward where she was treated with antibiotics for a week for a urinary infection. The hospital would not discharge her until they were satisfied with all her results.

The only issue with the hospital was the discharge process. We were told my partner would be discharged on Saturday but the doctor said she did not have all the reports back to be able to complete the discharge papers. As my partner uses a wheelchair the hospital could not arrange any transport for her on Sunday so discharge was deferred to Monday.