I was recently admitted to Darlington memorial hospital in the early hours of Monday 10th October following an intentional overdose mixed with alcohol. Having been brought into A&E in an ambulance, I was allocated a nurse whom I cannot praise enough, they spoke to me like I was a human being, and we chatted about everyday things to relieve my anxiety, they were fabulous- i did pester them to let me smoke and to take my canula out but they stood their ground. However, later on 3:30-4:30am, I was alone on the ward and noticed the staff having their break at the desk which was exactly in my eyeline. None of the other nurses introduced themelves to me (maybe 1). I had taken my canula out and filled my cup with the liquid so a nurse took it away and said they would bring me some more water back for my cup - they didn't. They sat at the desk with their colleagues talking about other colleagues- which I find disrespectful enough!- as I tried to get their attention by waving my arm they simply ignored it and continued in the juicy conversation. When my water was brought to me-oh, I would have fetched it myself however I wasn't allowed to leave my bed!- they dumped it on the table and didn't ask if I needed anything else or even if I was okay. I really do believe that I was treated this way because I ended up in hospital due to my own actions. If I was a child with a broken leg I may have been treated with kindness and care. Imagine being so depressed and tired of isolating yourself that you decide to overdose in a way to harm yourself and only to be isolated by people they're meant to take care of you? I do however have to praise the two paramedics that were in the ambulance that brought me to hospital, they were very succinct and I felt comfortable - even regarding my state. When we got to a&e one of them just took me straight through. So after a&e I was transferred up to ward 34. I did not sleep, i couldn't anyway, and one of the nurses brought me some magazines. However when people did start to wake, There were no staff around. Understandably the nurses are busy, what with the hustle and bustle of gathering patient records etc- but I find it disgusting for a professional to be discussing another patient in the corridors within earshot of everyone on the ward. There was no communication between the nurses that saw, I wasn't offered food after I refused the starter whereas everyone else was and I saw 3 doctors in total
"Disrespectful treatment"
About: Darlington Memorial Hospital / Accident and emergency Darlington Memorial Hospital Accident and emergency Darlington DL3 6HX
Posted via nhs.uk
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