I am wondering what peoples experiences are of their A&E and Acute medical assessment units.
I am writing to my local hospital to ask why it is not possible to treat people who are so ill in a different area than some druggie or alcholic or someone who has had a fight.
My mothers experience 5 years ago was horrendous, the lack of care and no sensitivity at all.
I remember a visit i had just for a suspected DVT and on one trolly you had a woman of about 80+ fighting for breath and life and on the next trolley right by her a abusive woman and her equally abusive friend who was eventually escorted out by security.
My friends husband went to the hosp yesterday, he is in the end stages of mesophaelioma with possibly weeks or days to live. He was treated so badly. Eventually being told he was extremelly lucky to get one pillow as sometimes they have none. Glad I wasn’t there.
I know the staff have a hard time working in these areas but is it righ to just view someone who is dying the same as you would other patients.
Wanted a rant as I am so upset my friend has had to endure this when at home night and day she cares for him so well.
God I would hate to go in hospital.
Rx
I have to agree with you that some parts of the NHS are dreadful. I was lucky when I had to go to A&E at my local hospital as I said that I was a chemo patient and they were very good with me. I only had to wait a few minutes before I was moved to a cubicle and received excellent treatment.
However, previous to that and after my first dose of chemo I developed Neutropenic Sepsis and my temperature was off the scale. It was late in the evening so my friend phoned for an ambulance. They refused to admit me as they said that I would be in A&E with all the drunks etc. They advised us to call the emergency doctor who refused to visit but finally and after much agro agreed to arrange a bed on medical emergency. He sent another ambulance and into hospital I went. What a shock I had when I was well enough to notice what was happening. I was supposed to be barrier nursed, what a laugh. The room was freezing cold as the heating was not working, the bedding was stretchy material which had gone grey. The bed and pillows were so hard that I had to ask for pain killers every morning to ease the pain in my back. Nurses walked into my room to treat me but did not wash their hands. When I challenged them they said that they had used hand gel before they came in. I pointed out that after using the gel they had opened the door with the handle and dirtied their hands again. They soon learned to clean their hands after entering the room. I had the same glass and water jug for 3 days and when I pointed this out they were just rinsed under the tap.
The chemotherapy unit in the same hospital is absolutely fantastic, as is the breast care unit.
It just goes to show that whoever is in charge sets the tone and treatment.
Bring back Matron. Hospitals should be run by people with nursing training not businessmen.
Good on you for taking some action.