"Horrendous"

Anything else?

Ongoing issues with repeated gallstone attacks have made visits to A&E a lot more frequent than I would like. My pain has always been managed in the ambulance before arrival – so pleased this is the case, as I would not trust this hospital not to leave me in pain for considerable time.

My first visit of this nature was around September and I was taken to resus due to all the cubicles being full. The 2 nurses were run off their feet & I wasn’t seen for over an hour. When the doctor came his attitude was off. He almost laughed in my face on being told I have M.E. Despite a clear history of gallstone attacks, he then admitted me to EAU thinking it was my heart! An F2 doctor could not believe it!

Several future visits have been in the early hours and at these times the noise from the nurses has been intolerable. You could liken their shrieks, shouting and laughter to a teenage sleep-over. Several of the patients in have been frightened and many elderly. This behaviour is immature and unprofessional.

I have recently had 3 attacks in 2 days and on the last 2 occasions the nurse who took over from paramedics has rolled her eyes at my return as if I have some choice in it. Her attitude has been contemptable! She and another nurse were also blatantly passing comment about me which I was in the waiting room! Visit 2 seen me sat in the waiting room for over 2 hours until I had the misfortune of seeing the doctor I mentioned earlier. I was taken to a cubicle which had not been cleaned – the bed was filthy and was not cleaned before the Dr put a sheet over it! He then rambled about kidney stones and heartburn – neither of which I have ever had! No advice – useless!

Last night the Dr I saw confirmed that a stone may be lodged and re-explained the serious complications it could have. Briefly examined me and told me to go home. He refused to take blood tests despite my history of LFT’s getting worse daily when having regular attacks. He said this was my GP’s responsibility and discharged me with the cannula still in my hand (I only noticed in the taxi as I was so angry).

In future, despite pain, I will take taxi to Gateshead QE as I do not trust this hospital or it’s staff!