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"Feeling alone because of A&E treatment"

About: East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust Lincoln County Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

I have been to Lincoln County Hospital A&E twice within the past week with breathing problems, chest pain and numbness and tingling. The first time, I was taken in a paramedics car and once at A&E, given an x-ray, then sent home with no explanation or further tests carried out. The second visit I was taken in an ambulance with the same problems as they are just getting worse. The ambulance staff thought I was making my breathing worse on purpose and so refused me pain relief or oxygen, despite the fact I was absolutely not doing this, nor would I ever do it. They made me feel like a liar and refused to help me at all, even though this problem had been going on for a few days. They were constantly telling me to sort my breathing out to the point where I broke down crying in the ambulance, informing them that I was trying my best. In A&E the nurse made me feel like an inconvenience and, once again, hounded me about my breathing. She said she would get me some pain relief but she never did return (A&E wasn't busy and I could hear her having a chat round the corner). One nurse heard my pain and crying and gave me some low dose painkillers and I had a blood test. That came back with nothing that could explain my problems, and again I was sent home.

I have chronic health conditions so I'm used to being ill, but I can't believe that only one test was performed per visit and that I was then sent home. What happened to finding out the cause? I've still got these problems but it seems pointless going to A&E when it takes hours and they don't try to get to the root of the problem. Both times I have been it hasn't been busy, so they had the time. I still have no idea what is causing this but I've been incredibly unwell because of it. I just want some help. A&E should be the place you go when you need medical attention the most, but they don't seem to care all that much.

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Responses

Response from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 9 years ago
Submitted on 19/03/2015 at 14:24
Published on Care Opinion at 14:25


I am very sorry to read of your concerns following your visit to the A&E department at Lincoln. The East Midlands Ambulance Service will respond to your concerns regarding the ambulance staff. I will share your feedback with the Senior Sister in the A&E department so the nursing team are made aware of your concerns and can learn from them.

Regards

Tracy Bell

Matron, Accident and Emergency Department

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