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Original poster

Treated like a bloody leper at A and E

112 replies

Heartbeat1 · 05/10/2021 10:39

Asked by GP to go to A and E as I've been having issues with my breathing (due to previous covid) and she said to go and get a scan done as it may be a clot. I have put it off for over 2 weeks as the waiting times are over 4 hours and I've had noone to bring me. Anyway I've just arrived and the guy at the reception asked me to fill out the form, I wrote on there breathing issues due to long covid. He asked me a whole load of questions to which I replied I'm currently negative and have tested negative. He then asked everyone on left side of the waiting room to move asked me to sit there by myself. Like I'm a diseased.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 05/10/2021 12:55

Where I am you'd be referred to a&e, but would need to phone 111 who are booking appointments there. There's no way for a GP to circumvent that system, except in a medical emergency where an ambulance is required (999 and 111 are both run by ambulance service here in Wales).

There's a website in Wales that shows waiting times in a&e but it's inaccurate as some are running appointments only so it may show as "only" a three hour wait, but you need to phone 111 first and be assessed for an appointment, your three hour wait is after ringing 111.

Becca19962014 · 05/10/2021 12:56
  • after ringing 111, getting called back to be assessed, them booking you an appointment THEN the 3 hours begins.
EBearhug · 05/10/2021 12:57

Isn't it also about protecting you? If you have a potentially very serious lung condition, you don't want to pick up a new case of an airborne disease which affects breathing on top of that.

lolliwillowes · 05/10/2021 13:01

Having experienced a number of emergency illnesses or conditions both issuing the NHS and private care, the main difference in my experience was one of being treated differently - which has nothing to do with money, but might have something to do with how staff are stretched, etc.

The difference was remarkable, and that was just how I made to feel at ease, welcome, understood.

I am thankful for the NHS, particularly it's original vision, and even more particularly before it was chipped into by successive, parasitic governments. But we can still admire and cherish something and point out its problems - and many people are treated like uneducated idiots by many who work in the NHS.

Many years ago now, I was treated as a suspicious potential drug user because I was losing a child. I had a terrible experience and was scarred for life by how negligent and offensive the ward staff were, which had absolutely no sympathy for someone terrified and suffering a miscarriage.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/10/2021 13:03

I wish they'd done this when I had to go to minor injuries a few weeks ago rather than letting the woman coughing her guts up sit with with the rest of us as she knew it wasn't Covid. We also had the mother with two kids who she'd brought there as they were coughing. She let them run around, touching everything and going up to people (apart from me, I think the death stares put them off!).

Whattheduck · 05/10/2021 13:04

I can’t understand why you waited 2 weeks when it could have been a clot surely you could have got a lift or a taxi

ClaraThree · 05/10/2021 13:23

Wow the OP already feels anxious , let’s be kind !!!
Op hope your scan is ok and your health improves Flowers

Fairyflaps · 05/10/2021 13:24

Your GP should have been much clearer with you about the urgency for your scan.

And in an ideal world, your GP would have been able to refer you to your hospital for your scan that day, without having to send you to A&E. Some NHS Trusts have GP referral units for example, which can see you that day and do scans/ X-rays/ tests etc. This would take the pressure off the A&E departments. But that's an NHS organisation and resource matter - not something you are responsible for.

As someone who often has breathing problems, a crowded A&E is also the last place I would want to be. I remember sitting in a very crowded A&E early this year with several people not wearing masks. (They probably had good medical reasons why they couldn't wear masks, but it didn't help my unease, especially as I hadn't yet been vaccinated). I would probably have felt very relieved to be sat away from everyone else - but there wasn't the option. And like in your case, there probably weren't any side rooms available.

I appreciate that you must feel very self-conscious on top of the worry that you're already feeling, not to mention not being very well with the long covid. But you're there now, and hopefully you're prepared with something to read/ listen to while you wait, and it can all be sorted out today.

MyMabel · 05/10/2021 13:30

This is a terrible way to be treated.

For what it’s worth OP I would have came and sat by you and drew a salt circle around you while wearing a garlic necklace holding a wooden stake

girlmom21 · 05/10/2021 13:32

Your GP should have been much clearer with you about the urgency for your scan.

Ffs he sent her to accident and emergency and she claims she couldn't breathe.

How much clearer can one be?

julieca · 05/10/2021 13:38

@Briony123 it really does not mean someone isn't ill. I am bad at knowing when to go to A and E. I was having breathing issues and booked to see a nurse. As soon as she saw me she called an ambulance.

YukoandHiro · 05/10/2021 13:42

Are you alright OP? Have you been seen yet?

I hope it's good news

2bazookas · 05/10/2021 13:51

Its his job to protect all patients.

coachmylife · 05/10/2021 13:55

I was at a and e w DS who was - on LFT but was there partly because of cough and temp. We were put in a side room and I was so grateful!

SummerOrAutumn · 05/10/2021 14:00

All the posters on here saying not to wait 2 weeks if you have a suspected blood clot are absolutely right. My MIL waited 2 days, not realising how seriously ill she was, saw her GP and they called an ambulance. She would have died if she'd waited even a few more hours. As it was, she very nearly didn't make it, she went down hill very fast on the way into hospital. She's very lucky still to be alive, despite a repeat episode too

onelittlefrog · 05/10/2021 14:00

Try not to take it personally.

If it was just a lateral flow test that you took, a negative result does not indicate that you definitely don't have Covid.

It is more that a positive result means you do have Covid, and if you were positive you would have been sent home.

A negative result is kind of neutral - it just means you don't have enough virus for the fairly weak test to come out positive, but you still could have Covid.

(This is something that people do find difficult to get their heads around.)

Basically, a negative lateral flow test is not enough reassurance that you don't have Covid, and if you're presenting symptoms then they are just trying to protect everyone.

They are just doing their jobs.

TinselTitsAndGlitteryBits · 05/10/2021 14:02

My mum died from a pulmonary embolism, which started as a DVT.

She was fine one minute, had a heart attack and died the next.

You have been unbelievably stupid to wait 2 weeks to visit A&E - you could quite truly be dead any minute now if you do have a clot.

Didn't have anyone to go with? You can't go to A&E with people and you're an adult!!

Really scary.

Evesgarden · 05/10/2021 14:03

@FrankiesKnuckle

I have put it off for over 2 weeks as the waiting times are over 4 hours and I've had noone to bring me.

Really?!
There are so many things wrong with this one sentence.
Firstly - your GP is trying to rule out a PE, Pulmonary Embolism can be fatal. And you've 'put it off' for 2 weeks.
A PE can be diagnosed via a blood test, a blood test that yes, you will have to wait for a result for. Sometimes over 4 hours, not necessarily because that's how long it takes but because you'll have to wait for a doctor to see you to discuss. And you know, these doctors aren't sitting around waiting for a patient to discuss, they will likely have a very long list of people to see.

'And I've had no one to bring with me' - unless there's a massive drip feed coming then FFS grow up.
Many hospital EDs are not allowing accompanying hangers on unless a patient is vulnerable or unable to advocate for themselves.
A trip to an ED is not a day out.

Take some responsibility for your own health.

is this how you actually speak to people in real life?
Choconuttolata · 05/10/2021 14:05

They did the same to me post Covid as they have a rule to follow for any breathing difficulties (I was in for strange heart rhythms) even if you have just had Covid. At least you are less likely to pick up anything else being sat away from others.

I am glad you have decided to go pulmonary embolism is very serious, DH had one after Covid. I have inhalers now post-Covid which have helped me greatly with my breathing (not P.E. related, my airways are more reactive post Covid).

I hope you feel better soon Flowers

suzyscat · 05/10/2021 14:08

Just be pleased you got plenty of space, offended? I'd be delighted.

Babdoc · 05/10/2021 14:11

I’m rather puzzled as to why OP was sent to A and E at all.
I was in the same circumstances last year - discharged from hospital after acute Covid, developed long Covid, became more seriously breathless, GP queried possible pulmonary embolus.
The chest physicians were phoned direct from the practice, I was given an immediate prescription for precautionary anticoagulants, and booked for a pulmonary angiogram the next day, at the acute assessment unit. A and E were not involved at any point and I simply waited in the assessment unit for the scan result that day.

Practicebeingpatient · 05/10/2021 14:11

@TataMamma

The receptionist was probably just following some policy or other - don't shoot the messenger. I also spent 9 hours in A&E with my then 7 month old 2 months ago; very jealous of just 4. My main point though is, I really objected to your title "bloody leper". Leprosy is a disease and those with it should not be called "bloody" or otherwise stigmatised. Also, if you did have leprosy it would not be reasonable or fair to separate you from others - unlike Covid (which I accept you don't have) it is not in fact highly infectious.
This. Totally. What a double standard.
Cuck00soup · 05/10/2021 14:34

OP, I hope you are feeling better and that your scan turns out to be negative. If it isn't, at least you are finally in the right place to receive treatment.

As far as the A&E nurse knows you have breathlessness. It may be a blood clot in your lung as your GP suggested, it maybe a new Covid infection or it maybe something else. The point is the A&E nurse can't rule out Covid until THEY have tested you and so you have to be kept away from people vulnerable to infection until you have a negative test.

And PP are right, you really should have gone to A&E the same day you saw your GP. Can you get some help for your anxiety? In the meantime listen to the HCP and ask questions to help you understand the reasons for doing things in a particular way. Believe me, none of us make our own lives harder, which separating potentially infectious people is, just for fun.

EmmalineC · 05/10/2021 14:36

They have no way of knowing you aren't reinfected with Covid, it's hardly unheard of. Waiting such a long time to diagnosis a potentially fatal blood clot is incredibly foolish as well.

Pick your battles with the NHS, this isn't one.

Jaffacake007 · 05/10/2021 14:39

Coming from someone currently with a PE caused by covid...

I waited 12 hours in A&E overnight and I'm bloody glad I did. Please take your health seriously and don't put off things which could be life-threatening.

I hope you're well OP Daffodil