Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be very frustrated in A and E just now.

206 replies

changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 18:50

I'm in Scotland, was advised by my doctor to go directly to A and E as have been having shortness of breath for few weeks and today I had an episode of chest pain.

Arrived at A and E at 4 pm. Was told to stand outside as shortness of breath was Covid symptom. Then brought into own room so I'm isolated (negative LFT). Was seen by doctor fairly quickly and was told would get bloods done, an ecg and a chest X-ray.

Had my bloods taken at 5 pm and chest X-ray at 5.10.

I have now been sat in this room alone for 1.5 hours without anyone even popping their head in to let me know what is happening. And no one has done an ecg.

I understand that they are very busy but someone presenting with shortness of breath and heart pain not being checked on for an hour and a half? Surely that's not right.

I'm not the most patient person and can feel my heart rate going up and blood starting to boil.

Am I allowed to just walk out the hospital without saying a thing? Do you think I'm being unreasonable? What time should I give them to until leaving?

OP posts:
Original poster
changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 19:12

I just had ecg done asked the nurse how long would the doctor take if he knew and he said 'well I'm not sure what she's planning on doing with you yet'. Does this mean it's bad news?

OP posts:
FrogFairy · 10/12/2021 19:13

My ex was sent to A&E with similar symptoms and was there over 7 hours. This was pre covid.

Arewethebadguys · 10/12/2021 19:14

Seriously? There are patients waiting considerably longer than an hour and a half for an ambulance before they even get into hospital. You realise bloods can take a while too? It's not ideal that you've had to wait. I'm sure you're anxious, but 1.5 hours would be a stretch on the quietest of days.

NeedsCharging · 10/12/2021 19:16

Does this mean it's bad news?

No I would think the Dr hasn't even looked at your results yet.
Bare with OP Flowers

SmellyOldOwls · 10/12/2021 19:17

You've only been there since 4pm, there are people at home having heart attacks that will wait longer than that for an ambulance to turn up! Seriously think about what kind of emergencies they have coming through the door, car accidents, people bleeding to death, people who can't breathe, people fighting for their lives and you're talking about going home because you're annoyed you're having to wait a few hours.

ThinWomansBrain · 10/12/2021 19:17

they did the priority stuff, ascertained you don't have covid = so now they've triaged and your waiting your turn - pop your head out if you need to an ask what's going on, but from the headlines I've seen, 4 hour waiting time is regularly being breached.
Or are you suggesting you should have priority treatment because you don't like being patient?

If you decide to walk out, do have the courtesy to let them know, they can probably use the room/bed for someone that needs it.

bloodywhitecat · 10/12/2021 19:18

@changeitatanytime

I just had ecg done asked the nurse how long would the doctor take if he knew and he said 'well I'm not sure what she's planning on doing with you yet'. Does this mean it's bad news?
No I would expect it means the doctor needs to see the ECG before she decides what to do, they need both parts of the diagnostic tool to make a decision.
ShowMeTheSugar · 10/12/2021 19:19

You would absolutely be unreasonable to flounce out without so much as asking for an update and with respect 90 mins isn't a ridiculously time. You've been trialed, seen by a doctor, xrayed and placed at whatever priority you're now deemed to be.

Slipping off is childish and wastes everyone's time.

ClaraThree · 10/12/2021 19:21

Wow I waited nine hours to see a doctor once in A and E and had to sit with other people, when I felt dreadful. Heart rate elevated significantly and CRP of over 200.
I had vital signs and ECG on arrival . But they just didn’t have beds. When the doctors eventually saw me , I was examined on the floor literally . Doctors apologising but I was so grateful to be seen. I was then given IV antibiotics. Had I flounced out I might not have survived. Get over yourself .

ShowMeTheSugar · 10/12/2021 19:21

Does this mean it's bad news

No, more likely your tests all still need to be reviewed before anyone can communicate a plan and timings. Not necessary a bad sign at all.

123tigger · 10/12/2021 19:21

Wednesday I spent 9 hours in a&e it was a long wait for my elderly mother getting results. Couldn’t fault the lovely Doctor who saw her. He took his time even though they were very busy. Perhaps think that you in the best place if things get worse whilst waiting.

AnnaSW1 · 10/12/2021 19:22

There'a very likely people very ill/dying in resus who take priority. Either wait or go home.

Wrongkindofovercoat · 10/12/2021 19:25

Good that you have had the ECG now, I imagine you will be in for another wait until the Doctor has looked at the results and worked out the best course of action for you. Do you have your phone with you ? could you ring someone to talk to , even a mundane chat will help to pass the time.

Thevoiceofreason2021 · 10/12/2021 19:26

They are probably waiting on the bloods, the lab isn’t always onsite . You could be waiting a while. Just ask. And then sit back and watch a show on your phone. Read the newspaper, listen to some music, occupy yourself. You’re an adult. It’s much less frustrating if you accept the wait and treat it as special me time.

ThatsNotMyReindeer · 10/12/2021 19:26

You're very fortunate to have had investigations started so quickly. I recently waited 9 hours in A&E with an autistic toddler who was struggling to breathe and needed a nebuliser

fourminutestosavetheworld · 10/12/2021 19:27

If you've been left to wait in A&E it's because people presenting with more serious conditions are taking priority. How can you be cross about waiting while they attend to, say, a heart attack? They have seen you and carried out some investigative work and decided that you are not going to die in the next hour so can wait a bit. Your wait has not been long by most A&E dept standards. If you feel well enough to get angry and walk out, you probably don't need to be there.

safariboot · 10/12/2021 19:31

They're overworked and understaffed. It's not the workers' fault, it's the whole system right to the top - the Prime Minister.

Your current symptoms mean you're not high priority, but I would understand concern that if you rapidly got sicker would anyone even know?

PomRuns · 10/12/2021 19:31

It's quite odd how there are a few posters who just seem to post negatively on nhs threads.

Original poster
changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 19:32

Sorry I've had a drink of water and see how bratish I've been. I've been seen by doctor. Everything is fine. Just waiting on pcr results which take around 20 mins at hospital.

OP posts:
RunnerDown · 10/12/2021 19:34

When you say you had an episode of chest pain - how long did that last. Do you still have it. Have they asked about the nature of the pain.
Maybe the doctor who saw you originally didn’t think you were a priority compared to other cases they were dealing with
There’s no way anyone on this thread has enough information to decide whether A and E are being unreasonable . But if you walk out you are definitely being unreasonable .

lightisnotwhite · 10/12/2021 19:34

Surely if it’s life or death you’d know by now?

Do you’re ok for a bit otherwise you wouldn’t be asking questions. You’d be in pain; passed out, screaming in pain.

My DH went in Friday when he called an ambulance with chest pain. rallied Friday night but they kept him in. He had a heart attack Saturday morning with stents that lunchtime.. They see it all the time. You’ll be looked after when it counts.

LaBellaTrix · 10/12/2021 19:35

I hope everything is okay, OP, it's horrible being unwell and not knowing what's happening. Hospitals are incredibly busy at this time of year, even without bloody Covid, so try and stay calm while you wait. If they decide you need inpatient treatment there may be another wait while the bed manager tries to find you a bed.

Get better soon Flowers

Herewegoagain84 · 10/12/2021 19:38

You were there less than two hours when you wrote this OP. You’re lucky you even have got as far as you have at this stage! They have assessed you as not an immediate risk, so sit patiently and wait for them to come. If you truly think there’s a problem, why wouldn’t you stay?

SmellyOldOwls · 10/12/2021 19:40

@LaBellaTrix

I hope everything is okay, OP, it's horrible being unwell and not knowing what's happening. Hospitals are incredibly busy at this time of year, even without bloody Covid, so try and stay calm while you wait. If they decide you need inpatient treatment there may be another wait while the bed manager tries to find you a bed.

Get better soon Flowers

If she's in any of the hospitals near me she could be waiting until tomorrow, or the day after, for a bed if she needs one.
BlowDryRat · 10/12/2021 19:42

Sorry you're ill OP.

A&Es across the country have enormous waiting times at the moment. My 60yo NDN had a heart attack a few weeks ago. He had to stand in line outside A&E for an hour and it was several more hours before he was even seen by a doctor. I couldn't believe it when his wife told me. It's just pure chance that he didn't die. Contrast this with my uncle's heart attack a few years ago. An ambulance was there in minutes and they took him to a specialist hospital. He was seen straight away and had a stent fitted the following day.

Swipe left for the next trending thread