"My A&E experience"

Firstly, I would like to highly praise the ambulance team, Gina and Nichola, who transported me to A&E. I was in a lot of pain and although the ambulance was like a boat on stormy waters, Nichola drove especially carefully. Meanwhile Gina gave me constant care and reassurance.

On arrival at A&E I was in a very busy, cold and drafty corridor. However, an ambulance man talked to me during my wait. I was told that they had no beds on the orthopaedic ward and so I would have to wait my turn in another corridor. Feeling cold and in pain I was given morphine. After 4 hours waiting, the pain got much worse, but thankfully, a doctor or nurse dressed in dark blue uniform gave me more morphine. She also kindly gave me a blanket, a sandwich and a cup of coffee.

I waited for 10 hours and was finally examined by a doctor. I was then pushed in the wheelchair to have a ultrasound scan. I was then moved back to a waiting room, just off the corridor. By 2.00am the next morning I was in terrible pain, a clearly busy doctor noticed me and asked if they could help. I was given more morphine. 

Eventually, I was told that although I was prioritised for a bed on the ward, there was nothing available. I was then taken to a consulting room, off the corridor and offered the use of an examination bed and given more morphine. By 4.30am another doctor arrived and said that they had prescribed morphine every 2 hours. They also requested an urgent MRI in the morning. It was so cold in that room that I had to keep my winter coat on all night.

By 8.00am a nurse came with a wheelchair to move me  (I assume they needed the consulting room). There was still no bed on the ward  so I was being moved to a different part of A&E. Later that day, a consultant came and examined me again. I was told they'd cancelled my MRI because they were fully booked. They might be able to see me later that day, but it could be tomorrow. Meanwhile, more and more morphine and no bed on Glossop ward.

By about 4.00pm, I was delighted to hear that I was being taken to have a full spine MRI. The team there were so kind and understanding. I had only recently finished counselling for PTSD and still have claustrophobia issues. The kindness and care I received was outstanding and not least, reassuring. I was then returned to A&E with the prospect of another night there, as there was unlikely to be a vacant bed on Glossop ward.

That evening, the consultant I saw earlier returned to give me the results of my MRI. I was told that I'd remain on morphine and would spend another night where I was. Therefore, I discharged myself as I'd rather be in my warm home with my wife. They understood my situation and wrote a prescription for more morphine for me to take home.

I do understand that the NHS is underfunded, although I wish these NHS trusts would give more to the frontline care. Had it not been for the nursing staff, doctors, and volunteers, my stay would have been a nightmare. I have nothing but praise for their unwavering dedication, kindness and support. To all those who helped me, I cannot thank you enough. I'm sure your dedication and vocation must be what keeps you going. I've avoided mentioning individuals at the hospital, because you were all so kind to me and I'm deeply grateful.