I get that a&e is busy, but was not expecting to be spoken to so rudely

Kindly, she was kind of right though. If it had been there a while, it could have waited until you saw a GP.

111 should have booked you an Urgent Care appointment not directed you to A&E.

Migraine can totally be a A&E thing. My aunt used to have awful migraines and was often at the hospital.

And you can laugh about an ingrown toenail but I had a black toenail from running and I looked it up on Dr Google and it said I should seek medical attention as it could go gangrenous. I just laughed and put a plaster on it but someone else might be genuinely worried!

OP, you didn’t do anything wrong.
111 is there for medical advice, if you called them and the advice was to go to A&E, then you go.
You followed instructions. You didn’t just rock up on your own accord, like many people do.
(I always get 111 advice before heading the A&E, because I don’t want to burden them with something that can possibly wait)

The nurses bedside manner was appalling but to give her some grace, A&E shifts are pure hell. The waiting is rarely below 4hrs these days, the standard is usually 6-8hrs tbh. It’s very busy and they’re run off their feet and they work long hours.
Sadly, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that a large chunk of people in A&E don’t really need it.
Last time I went to A&E, I was told that somebody was there with an ingrown toenail, another lady for a migraine and somebody else was there for a viral 24hr bug, so it happens, and it delays and wastes a lot of time for the genuinely sick and in need.
She had probably seen a lot of people like that, before you and by the time it got to you, she had no patience left.

There is no ASAP when it comes to referrals. They’re 6+months

She didn't know something had gone in her ear until she had pain return and someone looked. She assumes it may of happened when she lost her earring but can't be sure. So no way of knowing she needed to go 2 weeks ago

Surely it is A&e and not a gp who have the equipment for removing something from an ear.

The 'hard of understanding' are out in full force today spouting their wisdom.

Can I help by explaining that different areas do things differently - in my area, like the OP's, there is just one queue to be triaged by one nurse practitioner who then sends you to either A&E or Minor injuries.

Yes, that's a stupid way to run a department, but it's really not the patient's fault. The queue is often out the door at our hospital, with people who have been referred by 111, those with really urgent issues in severe pain and those with minor injuries all stood waiting together. I had to go recently after a fall from my bike in the evening which left me with a hugely swollen hand and severe grazing where my leggings had been scraped into my skin. I waited, along with far sicker people, for 2 hours to just get to triage, only to then be sent to minor injuries where in less than an hour I had my leggings soaked off and the wound cleaned and dressed, an x ray that diagnosed a broken thumb and a splint and strapping and referral to specialist hand surgery dept.

I could have waited far longer tbh - I had paracetamol which worked to bring the pain down to a perfectly bearable level and sat and read my book. And they could have put more staff in the actual A&E dept which was rammed. But it's not my responsibility to manage the NHS's processes and patients should never be blamed for turning up at the right place.

Having frontline staff and patients getting pissed off with each other when both are usually doing their best (yes, even the frequent flyers in A&E who don't need to be there often are doing their best to cope with the mental health issues/lack of social care that drives them there) simply means we aren't all directing our ire where it should be - at bad managers in the NHS and govts who have managed health and social care terribly for at least 30 years

If everyone actually read OP’s posts, the thread could actually only be 4 pages 😂😂

I know. Esp when it’s 27 pages in, wouldn’t they just check the OP’s posts for an update before sharing their wisdom?!

I wonder what has happened to today’s society that makes them so unable to read?? Mind boggling.

Good luck when the finally get it out OP, I hope your eardrum stays intact 😬

this thread, i know. nobody reads it. sigh.

hope you’re ok op and they got it out painlessly. poor you. it sounds grim.
when you write to pals you can say that by bringing this to their attention you're trying to help them explain policy to their staff as this has slipped through the net.

@mitsicar hopefully today it will be sorted for you. Sounds blooming awful.

Jesus, this thread...

I would have done the same as you.
it kind of feels like a minor injures thing more than a GP? But I’m not a medic.

@mitsicar I hope it's going/gone ok for you 💐

Read the thread 🙄

Which is exactly what the OP did. I can understand missing the OP’s updates but not the initial post!

GOOD GOD. Did you even read the first post?

What does she think your GP will do? Absolutely nothing, in fact they’ll probably tell you to attend A&E! They’re not removing foreign objects from anywhere are they?!? She was out of order. I hope you get it sorted soon.

Not and accident or an emergency. You should have phoned 111 and taken advice from them. Probably have been sent to a walk in centre.

Oh OP, I feel for you. I hate anything related to ear nose and throat - and eyes. Far too near the brain. Let us know how you get on and sending a virtual hand hold.x

As a nurse I am saddened to read this. Yes services are stretched and busy but you genuinely needed to be seen.
I would speak to PALS and complain. It’s not ok to make you feel this way when your need was genuine.
Hope you feel better soon x