"Poor treatment whilst in Hospital"

I was admitted to Hospital at the beginning of May after feeling fobbed off by Drs, and after hours staff saying I had Tonsilitis. Eventually I could not swallow, and my system was shutting down. It turned out that I was suffering from a potentially fatal condition called Eppiglottitis, ( I think I have spelled it right) of which I was horrified to be informed that an Intensive care bed was ready in case I stopped breathing.

Initially, the staff were brilliant, they got me onto an antibiotic drip and steroids, and saline, and I V painkillers as I was unable to eat or drink for over a week.

Eventually I was put onto a ward, where some of the nurses didn't seem to have the time of day for me. I have small veins so the canula's needed changing quite often, and there was one nurse who pumped the drip so hard that the vein blew, it was excruciating! All she did was laugh and said " I’m nasty, I am " or something along those lines, leaving me in pain. She also tried to make me drink soluble paracetamol even though I was 'nil by mouth' accusing me of not taking it just because it tasted horrible. It made me choke as was going into my airways.

When I eventually got somebody to listen to my concerns, the drip was taken out and I was promised somebody would be with me straight away to insert another. I was kept waiting all night and eventually after 10 hours, (and a furious phone call from my mum!) somebody came and did it. I was in pain and terrified as I needed pretty much continuous antibiotics and fluids, and as my condition was potentially fatal I was worried that the treatment would lapse. I was so scared that the break in the treatment would be bad for me.

One night, the main lights were on until 1am, and I was very distressed as in a lot of pain and sleeping badly. Another patient eventually had a go at the staff about the lights and they switched them off. Thankfully things eventually worked out in the end, but it could have been so different. Apparently the reason why I found my care lacking was because it was a 'Bank Holiday'.

It was a terrible experience.

I couldn't believe the staffing levels were low because of a public holiday, and the lack of senior staff, (they apparently weren't in because of the holiday) causing the nurses to do everything, and there not being anybody I could voice my concerns to.

Saying that, the majority of the nurses did their best. In my opinion it was the whole system that was a let down.

I have no intention of taking any action, too much time has passed, but thought that others should be aware so that they don't have to go through the same ordeal.

Saying that, I couldn't fault the hospital when my daughter went in to have her teeth out, they were brilliant!