To stalk a stranger in A&E

[TheRozzers]

Witnessed a nasty accident today. An elderly lady had a fall in the street and was bleeding badly. I was coming back from the gym and had a towel with me so used it to help stem the bleeding and stayed with her until the paramedics arrived. Others helped too.

We were talking to her and trying to reassure her as she was very distressed and in a lot of pain. I'm pretty sure she's broken a bone.

I asked if there was anyone we could call. Partner, children, friends. She said she had nobody.

I can't stop wondering how she is, she's probably in the hospital A&E corridor and will be for the next week knowing the state of the NHS.

I have tried to call the hospital to enquire after her but no answer.

Would it be really weird and stalker like to go to the hospital and check up on her? Maybe take her something to eat and drink? I know her full name and date of birth so assume I could track her down?

Or would that be an invasion of her privacy?

It's also quite late now.

Ah im just checking in to see if you found her! What a wonderful thing to do

Oh gosh thank you for being so kind but it doesn't feel like a big deal. I live quite near the hospital and have had a few hospital admissions in my time so I know how much a toothbrush is needed.

Wish I'd been able to go in the ambulance with her or go there yesterday. It will have been a long 24 hours for her 😞

Can't imagine not having anybody to visit.

I've written my phone number in the card and said she is welcome to contact me if she needs anything else.

You are so kind OP, I really hope you manage to track her down, I'm sure it'll mean the world to her

That’s very kind, I would go x

What a lovely thread!

I'd be just the same, saraclara, and it doesn't have to be "intrusive" at all if handled well

If allowed in to see her at all, OP could keep it casual and say she was "just popping a few bits in - I know they have nothing in here!!" and then take her cue from the lady herself

Yes keep yourself to yourself and don’t enquire after an elderly lady who might appreciate a bit of caring and concern from you. It’s an individualistic society don’t you know.

You are the best kind of human OP and I wish you all the good things in the world.

You are lovely she is lucky to have been helped by you x

This is really kind. I don't have many family members who care and I worry about being old and having no one. I'm a very private and introverted person but I would be grateful beyond belief if someone thought to check up on me after a fall. I think most people would.

You are utterly lovely op. I bet this makes her day. Like a PP, I’m a private person but would be so moved by your kindness x

Absolutely yes, do it.

Ooh, I can feel myself welling up on the woman's behalf! I'm glad you've decided to visit, OP.

Good for you, op, this is lovely 💕

I once helped a 84 year old lady when she fell down a flight of outside stairs in our town centre.
I can still see her literally bouncing down the stairs-it was awful.

She had many health issues including stroke history etc and still waited-laying on the ground-for the ambulance for 3 hours.
It started to rain, a small group of us stayed with her the whole time.

She later contacted me-I left my number with her husband for her.
She was so grateful and I was so happy to hear her updates.

I think it's ok to try and find out and help

YANBU - I think it would be very kind to ask after her.

Just by contrast to the experience of hours in a corridor, an elderly relative needed to go to A&E recently. Condition deteriorating, but not immediately life-threatening.

An ambulance arrived within an hour of calling 111 for advice.. Half an hour later she was on a trolley-bed in her own cubicle at A&E, being attended to. The person with her was able to sit in an armchair in the cubicle and was given a free cup of tea and a sandwich by a ward volunteer.

Nursing staff were clearly very busy but made time to give regular updates. A very positive experience compared to the horror stories. I guess it varies so much by area and time of day.

Just a small local hospital. but we were very thankful for what should be a normal level of service.

I hope the lady in your post finds the same.

Awww that's so lovely.

Its human to show concern - if they're not answering calls, visit the hospital and enquire but don't go with the intention of speaking to her - instead staff can discretely ask and may get back to you, but be prepared to wait and also to be told no.

I would just say you are a friend of hers to be honest. You kind of are. Does she know your name? You could always ask the staff can they ask her if she is happy for “Janet” to visit if she knows your name.

Just to say you are a very kind person and I wish the world was full of more people like you.

The world needs to be full of people like you ❤️

When I was a teenager I had a serious car accident. A medical student stopped to look after me until the ambulance arrived. Staff told me he had been in touch to ask about me. I've never forgotten his kindness. So I say, go for it.

You are a wonderful person OP ❤️

I would go! 🙂

I really hope you get these items to the lady! I bet it will mean the world to her if she has nobody ❤️