"Delay in heart attack care"

I had the unfortunate position to suffer a heart attack in December 2012.

My Doctor attended my home and right away summoned an ambulance to take me to the Western Infirmary for emergency treatment and troponin levels to be checked. She contacted the hospital and stated that it was an emergency and was advised to have me dispatched to the A & E Department on arrival since the assessment department was very busy and I would get attention quicker attention there.

She also contacted the Ambulance department and advised the crew accordingly. She gave the attendant a letter for the A & E Department as well as a note of my medical condition and medication.

I arrived at the A & E Department at approximately 11.15am and was dispatched to a cubicle within the department. My wife was instructed to wait in the waiting area. I was left unattended for approximately 3 1/2 hours without any examination or treatment so it was 4 hours before I was treated. Not even a "how are you?". I was not offered a drink of water and no bloods were taken. I was still drowsy and in pain the whole time.

It wasn't until my wife made enquiries that I was attended to and she was allowed into the cubicle. Bloods were taken using a rubber glove as a tourniquet since the doctor stated there were no disposable tourniquets left. This substitute was unsuitable. Once my blood was examined it was very quickly established that I had suffered a heart attack and I was dispatched to the ward.

My treatment in the ward was of the highest order, the ward was spotless and the staff attentive. The bedding was very worn and ill fitting, very poor quality and the food was disgusting.

My complaints are:

Why were bloods not taken on admission? It could have meant life or death to me. The fact that my doctor gave me anticoagulants probably saved my life

What has happened when no tourniquets available? The rubber glove was very tight and caused me discomfort.