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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be angry at A&E?

434 replies

fashu · 28/12/2023 09:46

I'm currently in hospital A&E, I've been here for 9 and a half hours. I'm 35 weeks pregnant. AIBU for getting upset or should I just suck it up?

At 8pm last night I had the oncoming of a migraine, funny vision, light-headedness etc.
I went to tell my husband and called the midwife, then started having a chat with DH. Mid conversation I started talking nonsense. Instead of car I was was saying mayonnaise, on top of other things I was just talking crap.
I tried to Google the symptoms and I couldn't type either. I couldn't think of what I wanted to write, although I knew what I was doing and when I did think of the words it looked like this 'hdhcjsk'

I panicked a bit and went back to my husband and then I went completely numb on in my hands and my mouth. I panicked and told him to call an ambulance. Ambulance came just over an hour later and said I needed to go to hospital as it sounds like a mini stroke.
Queue major panic mode!

Paramedics called maternity unit they said its not for them but keep them updated.

So I arrived in an ambulance at A&E just after 12am. Went to majors and the triage said to wait in waiting room and they will tell senior doctors.

Well I'm still waiting. 35 weeks pregnant on a hard metal chair. For 9 and a half hours. Panicking that I've had a mini stroke.

I've told the reception and nurses several times that my belly is now hurting from sitting for so long and being awake for 26 hours. I asked for water and they said I had to use the vending machine for a can of coke.
Receptionist told me I'm not poorly enough for a bed or the arm chairs.

I'm so upset, emotional and scared. DH has dropped kids off at my mums now as they were asleep and didn't want to disturb them in the night.

But, am I right to be upset or is this just how it is? Surely a pregnant woman with suspected mini stroke should be left for this long alone without treatment?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
CaptainThomasPatButtonHall · 28/12/2023 10:16

It sounds like a migraine. I would put money on baby being here within 24-48 hours.

DyslexicPoster · 28/12/2023 10:17

When I had a suspected stroke I was taken by ambulance straight into resus where a stroke team was waiting for me. So this is indeed very crap.

Was you triaged? Bloods and BP taken? Wee checked? Anything like that?

WolvesDiscoandBoogaloo · 28/12/2023 10:17

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:15

Really makes me laugh people saying its disgusting, just what do you expect staff to do??
You have been triaged, assessed and are now waiting to see a Dr. There are 12 hour waits to see a Dr in A&E, this isn't new, its been going on a while, I presume your symptoms and bloods when triaged, weren't serious enough to be put higher up the q.

Please don't lie about your symptoms to push ahead of others who have been waiting longer than you

It is disgusting. Just because it's normal doesn't make it humane, kind, or reasonable.

Laugh it up, sweetheart. I don't think it's funny at all, but you do you.

Musiclover234 · 28/12/2023 10:18

fashu · 28/12/2023 10:01

I asked if there was a water fountain and they said its just the vending machine and it's just fizzy can drinks. Not even a juice!
Hubby is bringing something now, but there should be a water fountain!

Sharing a water fountain in a busy a&e is an infection control risk. The vending machine will be a company that probably doesn’t send anyone between Christmas and new year to top them up.

Weve also asked for the water dispensers just in staff rooms and been declined those.

im sorry you’ve had such a bad experience but this is often the reality of the NHS now. Yes it’s wrong and the staff agree with that totally but it’s what we are left with: Our waits are often 6/8/9 hours more than not I counted 8 ambulances parked up when I left work the other day.. my ward has lots of sick and won’t pay extra enhanced rates to get staff to work as no money in budgets so we are really short staffed. Of course management are all off this week…..

That was probably all crews who couldn’t leave their patients as no bed or staff for them. Corridor beds are now numbered and counted as a bed space. It’s shit. Hope you get seen and sorted soon.

Gymmum82 · 28/12/2023 10:18

This is how NHS A&E is and has been for several years.
Last xmas my FIL waited 36 hours to be seen after a suspected heart attack. No chair or bed. He was sat on the floor in a corridor at 76 years of age.

You’ve been triaged and are clearly not high priority so unfortunately you’ll wait until all the higher priority emergencies have been seen. This could be upwards of 24 hours. That’s just how it is and absolutely nothing you or anyone else can do. The NHS is screwed

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:19

WolvesDiscoandBoogaloo · 28/12/2023 10:17

It is disgusting. Just because it's normal doesn't make it humane, kind, or reasonable.

Laugh it up, sweetheart. I don't think it's funny at all, but you do you.

Show quote history

At what point did I say it was funny?

Please tell me what you expect staff to do?

If OP is fit and well enough to be posting on here, its hardly likely that she is having a bloody stroke!

Motnight · 28/12/2023 10:22

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:19

At what point did I say it was funny?

Please tell me what you expect staff to do?

If OP is fit and well enough to be posting on here, its hardly likely that she is having a bloody stroke!

Show quote history

She might have had a stroke though.

Sunday12 · 28/12/2023 10:23

I feel that the NHS is on its very last legs now. I too had a hideous time this year and was not well looked after. It’s very sad.
I hope you’re seen and cared for soon op.

StewardsEnquiry · 28/12/2023 10:24

It IS disgusting. But it is not the fault of the A&E staff or department. Aim your anger at the government.

Nicole1111 · 28/12/2023 10:24

It’s a sad indicator of the state of the nhs these days. If it makes you feel better it is possible to get the word thing as a result of a migraine. It’s called aphasia.

EvilElsa · 28/12/2023 10:26

People saying it's disgusting isn't aimed at staff, it's aimed at the entire system -as in the NHS is a disaster. I don't think people are imagining all the staff having a jolly behind the scenes while patients sit on the floor for 24 hours. It IS disgusting for everyone -staff included.

Cloudysky81 · 28/12/2023 10:26

This is how UK ED departments have been for at least 18 months now. It should be a national disgrace, but we seem to have accepted it as a new normal.

Unfortunately you’re in the waiting room because there are people sicker then you who need the beds more at the current time.

It’s not good medicine and the staff involved are not happy they are having to deliver care like this, but it is the reality in the UK at the moment. It’s one of the many reasons I left to go overseas.

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:28

Motnight · 28/12/2023 10:22

She might have had a stroke though.

Show quote history

Then she would have been triaged appropriately!
Her symptoms were not indicative of a stroke at the time of triage. She may have had some sort of event, but that appears to have resolved

369damnshesfine · 28/12/2023 10:31

Unfortunately this is what A&Es are like.

It is disgusting but there’s literally nothing you can do.
You are not in a situation like choking or in cardiac arrest, where you need to be seen immediately so you’ll be on the list.

Its awful there is no water fountain, even if it was kept behind the staff desk and given out if they’re worried about vandalism/spreading of diseases.

Being so heavily pregnant is uncomfortable enough but feeling poorly, tired and sitting on a metal chair must be awful.

You have my sympathies but the silver lining is that you are surrounded by medical professionals and so if anything were to happen you are already in the right place.

Hopefully you will be seen soon.
Do not leave because you’re bound to be near the top of the list now.

MumHereAgain2023 · 28/12/2023 10:32

Hope you get seen to soon.

PostItInABook · 28/12/2023 10:32

The shrugging of shoulders to people in obvious distress is a clear indicator. Compassion fatigue is rife within the NHS now and clinicians/other staff really need to reflect on whether they are affected and take some professional responsibility to do something about it. I say this as a clinician myself who has previously had to do the same.

Getting a 35 week pregnant woman (or indeed any patient) a drink of water because they’re thirsty / dehydrated after waiting 9 plus hours is not a hard task and would take literally 3 minutes, if that.

LadyKenya · 28/12/2023 10:33

Vote wisely at the next GE. This Government has done nothing but run this Country down. If people want more of the same, then good luck to them, continue to vote Conservative.

MintyfreshSW · 28/12/2023 10:33

I also don’t think triage is ever that accurate anymore. I was sent to A and E with a gallbladder infection. I was there for 12 hours whilst people with a cough (who were fit enough to go outside to smoke) or the chap who had a SORE FINGER from DIY were seen by me. I couis barely walk up the desk to ask for pain relief. In the end someone was coming out and shooting liquid morphine into my mouth. Was only seen after I started wailing in pain

User1343 · 28/12/2023 10:33

Fucking Tories and their cuts to the NHS - it’s a joke. Vote the Tories out, people, the next opportunity you get. It doesn’t have to be this way with a properly funded service.

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:34

LadyKenya · 28/12/2023 10:33

Vote wisely at the next GE. This Government has done nothing but run this Country down. If people want more of the same, then good luck to them, continue to vote Conservative.

Because under a labour government in Wales everything is go swimmingly!

cornflower21 · 28/12/2023 10:34

Could that be a preeclampsia??

MistletoeandJd · 28/12/2023 10:34

I'm really not so convinced you should be in a and e alot of them symptoms could cross over with some maternity related issues that need to be dealt with properly =/ genuinely not trying to scare you but can you contact your own midwife ect ? I went in poorly at 35 weeks they admitted me straight to maternity triage turned out I had been in labour with ruptured water a couple of days.

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:34

User1343 · 28/12/2023 10:33

Fucking Tories and their cuts to the NHS - it’s a joke. Vote the Tories out, people, the next opportunity you get. It doesn’t have to be this way with a properly funded service.

Yes because under a labour government in wales its all rainbows and unicorns

widowtwankywashroom · 28/12/2023 10:35

MintyfreshSW · 28/12/2023 10:33

I also don’t think triage is ever that accurate anymore. I was sent to A and E with a gallbladder infection. I was there for 12 hours whilst people with a cough (who were fit enough to go outside to smoke) or the chap who had a SORE FINGER from DIY were seen by me. I couis barely walk up the desk to ask for pain relief. In the end someone was coming out and shooting liquid morphine into my mouth. Was only seen after I started wailing in pain

They may have been seen before you as they would have been streamed to minor injuries

ChristmasFairyGodmother · 28/12/2023 10:36

You deserve so much better. It's probably of little consolation but it's nothing to do with you personally and everything to do with a system no longer fit for purpose.

It can also be tricky when there are two services involved as in your case ie. maternity and neurological.

A friend broke both ankles at 40 weeks and was left in the waiting room for hours with neither orthopaedics or maternity wanting her. Very distressing.