We all complain about the NHS. But I just wanted to say what happened to me today.
I put in an econsult about 8am. The GP phoned me at 10am and asked some questions and told me to go to the walk in at the hospital ASAP.
Got there at 10.50am, was triaged at 11am and I was told I'd have a wait of about 20 minutes after that.
Waited until 2pm and the doctor did a thorough exam and said I needed an emergency MRI. (Those of you who know me here know how that goes...!).
3.30pm and MRI. I was in a heap, sobbing, shaking, I couldn't breathe. But the most wonderful nurse who promised me I would be able to get through it, stayed with me, stroked my shoulder, got me to breathe. The whole team were just incredible. I hugged them all. They got me through it, just as the (? Nurse, radiologist?) promised.
5pm and a nurse arrived with a wrist id band and said they needed to put a cannula in. She also said they were finding a bed for me. She had no idea why I was there, what was happening, etc, and said she covers UTC (urgent treatment centre) not A&E. I said I was under UTC, she said I was under A&E because I was referred by my GP. UTC is basically a walk in GP service and GPs can't send a patient to another GP. They have to forward them on iyswim.
I kept hearing my name being mentioned
whilst back in the waiting room.
6pm or thereabouts, I see a consultant and I have no idea what he said. I heard the word 'syndrome' and he gave me a card for an appointment at the fracture clinic. Then I was sent home.
My pain is chronic, about 30yrs but has got so much worse recently.
Everyone was just lovely. And it was quick. But...! I still don't know what's what, and I'm still in pain! I was treated with so much respect by everybody. It's not all rubbish, there are amazing people working there.
But for now, I've been referred back to my GP and the pain clinic and the cycle begins again...!