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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think hospital might be under-reacting to chest pains & GP referral to ACU

25 replies

Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 14:57

Posting AIBU for traffic ...husband had chest pain (left side) last night.. not usual for him.

Still in pain this morning so I had him take aspirin & he got emergency GP appointment.

GP sent him straight to ACU (Ambulatory Care Unit) at hospital with a letter... he drove himself (near to GP surgery).

ACU told him 'we're full, you'll have to go to A&E' ... he went to A&E & gave them the letter.

Hes been waiting 3 hours in A&E, still having chest pain, it hurts him to hold the phone. He's sounding increasingly weak.

AIBU to think this might need to be treated more urgently?
I know NHS is working so hard, not bashing them, I'm just so concerned?

Is there anything he should he do/ say?

I'm can't be there with him.

OP posts:
Codswallop20 · 27/09/2021 14:59

Have they done his observations and an ECG in a and e?

Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 14:59

No, no tests done at all.

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 27/09/2021 15:02

He needs to go back to the receptionist and state the chest pains are getting worse and he feels weak. If they don't know, they won't act.

Codswallop20 · 27/09/2021 15:04

He need those done, now, as an absolute minimum

shauabs · 27/09/2021 15:04

That seems crazy. I went to A&E recently and had blood tests, observations and an ECG done all within about 20 minutes of being there. Took a bit longer to see a doctor after that but not ages.

CorrBlimeyGG · 27/09/2021 15:10

Some A&E departments are so swamped they can't even cope with emergencies. Your husband should let someone know if his pain is worsening.

Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 15:18

Thank you all so much.

I really appreciate it.

I'll tell him to let them know he's getting worse.

OP posts:
MrsCatE · 27/09/2021 16:02

Also ask to him to emphasise any breathing issues. Best wishes for speedy, good outcome.

Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 16:12

Really good point about the breathing, thank you.

Thank you all again, I'm touched by the way MNetters will take the time to help. 🌺

They have now started tests and think its pulmonary, not heart.

I don't know what the significance of that is, but they seem to think that means it's not such an issue.

OP posts:
MrsCatE · 27/09/2021 19:40

Hopefully, it could be something as simple as a pulled muscle from coughing too much. Fingers crossed but you were completely right to follow GPs instructions and go to A&E.

Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 19:56

Thanks so much. He hasnt been coughing.

But I'm now at the hospital with him.

They did ecg & blood & x-ray a few hours ago after he flagged that he was feeling worse - thanks to lovely MNetters.

Its been the waiting game since then possibly for a CT scan... but they have literally just called him to see someone. So hopefully some reassurance soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 19:59

As I'm waiting around, Im wondering what the significance is - if any - of the GP writing a letter for him to take to the ACU, rather than just saying 'take yourself to A&E'.. just curious really.

Is the latter something they ever do?

OP posts:
Whenigrowupiwanttobea · 27/09/2021 20:26

By your GP writing the letter to be seen on ACU it was probably in the hope that he would be seen quicker and have the pertinent tests done on arrival. It is also a way of trying to avoid being sent to A and E. Hope your husband is comfortable soon and that you are reassured as well. X

Lovelydovey · 27/09/2021 20:37

Our A&E refer to the ACU so GP probably thought this wa a the most efficient thing to do, not knowing the ACU would refuse on grounds of being overwhelmed.

Innocenta · 27/09/2021 20:42

The ACU often sees patients with particular groups of conditions - the GP will have written a letter and may have suspected it was a clot (but also of course known they'd need to rule out cardiac stuff). It's actually quite common for clot stuff to be sent to ACU initially (at least in my hospital!).

Innocenta · 27/09/2021 20:44

(GPs usually have the options of A&E, ACU, the acute medical unit, or the acute surgical unit - the latter two need the referral to be accepted ahead of time, though. The first two can then feed into AMU/ASU if needed, or onto a ward directly. Of course with slight variations between hospitals. The decision where to send someone who is poorly in the community is basically a clinical judgment.)

Original poster
Concerned3 · 27/09/2021 22:21

Thanks so much for all the info, feeling like I understand some of what's going on is really helpful. Very much appreciated.

OP posts:
MilduraS · 28/09/2021 08:22

I hope he's doing better today. I'm stunned by how slow A&E were at seeing him. Admittedly it was nearly 20 years ago but when I was a teenager my Dad went to A&E after a night of arm and shoulder pain. He was whisked through so quickly my mum was still putting money in the parking meter while he was being hooked up to an ecg. He was only 38 and had walked himself in but it did turn out to be a heart attack.

Innocenta · 28/09/2021 08:54

How is he doing today, OP? Thanks

BarbedButterfly · 28/09/2021 09:14

I had this recently as well. Went in for severe chest pain and waited 2 hours to be triaged. There were also others with chest pain and an elderly man with a bleeding head wound. I was there for 16 hours in the end and thankfully it was skeletal, but I was really scared after I told the receptionist the pain was worse and she said there were still seven people in front of me.

BarbedButterfly · 28/09/2021 09:15

Pressed send too soon. Hospitals are buckling under the pressure at the moment and hope your husband feels better today

PheasantsNest · 28/09/2021 09:45

That's terrible. My DH had similar and was on a heart monitor within 20 minutes. Unfortunately he was having a heart attack.

Original poster
Concerned3 · 28/09/2021 11:41

Thanks All, they kept him overnight for monitoring and more tests. Hopefully coming home today.

I'm very grateful for the advice & support on here yesterday, especially about the tests needed as a minimum & asap. Gave him the confidence to go & say something.

Today I'm wondering if he was counted as triaged because the GP sent him with a letter to ACU (who turned him away as they were full, & told him to go to A&E). Over 4 hours before anyone saw him seems a long time (at which point they started ecg) when others with sprained ankles etc. were triaged within an hour.

Just thinking if theres a flaw in the system they could adjust for future.... letter from GP does not equal triaged or something...

OP posts:
Innocenta · 28/09/2021 11:46

I think it does sound like he slipped through the cracks in terms of initial triage at the hospital. Very glad that he felt able to push for the testing he needed and that he should be home pretty soon Thanks

Original poster
Concerned3 · 28/09/2021 11:58

Thanks All, and especially @Innocenta. 🌺

So sorry to hear about others not-great experiences. How awful. ⚘

Glad to hear there have been some positive experiences too.

I might contact the hospital to flag up for future there may need to be some sort of 'seen & sent with letter from GP / turned away from ACU as full' should not be counted as triaged'.

Curious who decides on the queue order for triage? Receptionists? Nurses? Or, I hate to say it... a computer system???

OP posts:
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