"Triage good. Most staff OK. Long delay led to me..."

What I liked

Arrived with asthma attack. Very low peak flow. Felt I was "sliding "

.Attack was after diving.Told to go by GP

Triage----quick & efficient. Straight through to a bay.

Most staff courteous.

Some very kind.

Doctor did his best but big delay.

"

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What could be improved

Middle of shift change.Waited 1/2 hour.(just bad luck I guess)

Peak flow taken .V Low.No wheeze( I don't wheeze much even at my worst! )

No treatment for 4 hours. Using my own ventolin & spacer " ad lib. " Very scared.

.

Eventually saw a young doctor.Knew nothing re:diving. Fair enough ---but was there someone who did? Sent for a chest xray

Neb with Salbutomal & Ipratropium Bromide

Took about 15 minutes to find all the neb bits & pieces. ! . Felt easier. Peak a little better.

Doctor Wanted to keep me in but no bed for atleast 6--7 hours(2a.m. at this time

Discharged myself. felt I had no choice see below.) needed rest.

I

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Anything else?

Overheard a nurse in ask why I was still there & not at home as I "looked all right"

I am a very quiet asthmatic. have had it all my life & I know when I need help. I was angry when I heard this & asked to be treated. Which I was as above.

So went back to G.P 3 times over next 3 days.

Some parts were O.K.. BUT I felt left alone & scared as I knew I was struggling & felt it was sliding out of control.

I volunteer for Asthma U.K & am usually very level headed & control asthma well & understand it.

I would be frightened if I needed to go to N Staffs A & E for asthma again.

However ---my main aim here is to try to improve asthma treatment in A & E not to complain.

Have been x2 to you in past & all was very different then.