"Stroke care"

My mother was taken to A&E via ambulance. After being told by paramedics that she was potentially having a stroke, I was furious to find that she was then left in the A&E waiting area for 45 mins without even being triaged! This could potentially be the difference between life and death for a stroke patient..what possible explanation is there for this neglectful approach?

My mother was eventually seen and we were told she had experience a TIA, and when I asked if a CT had been done I was assured this was not necessary. My mother was then allowed home the same day.

We then awaited a letter for a clinic for a Doppler scan. This letter arrived on Saturday for an appointment on the Friday, we then had to ring to re-arrange this, the staff were pleasant and helpful. My mother was seen on the Tuesday, 6 days after her initial episode, where we where informed that she would need to be admitted as it appeared she had suffered a stroke and more investigations and scans where requires.Words cannot express my anger at this point...why were the necessary investigations not done on the day she initially attended even after me asking. Why was she sent home...again this level of poor care could have been very serious!

I must add that once admitted to Ward 5, the entire staff, from consultants, nurses, Health care assistants, was fantastic, even the domestic staff were friendly and efficient in their duties. I cannot thank the ward staff enough for the reassurance and care you provided during my mothers stay.

A&E and the stroke admission really needs to be looked at, as this let the hospital down in a big way, and fortunately my mother is doing well and recovering at home. What if this had not been the case, and her being left unattended in A&E could have been fatal, how would justify that?

Thanks again to the ward staff, you are the only reason I have any faith in this hospital at all.