A positive A&E experience : There has... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

31,300 members36,961 posts

A positive A&E experience

Buffafly profile image
31 Replies

There has been so much comment about bad hospital experiences that I thought I should report a good one. Last night, just as the death of the Queen was announced, my husband was taken ill with acute abdominal pain. I phoned 999, got a quick reply and a sympathetic response and an ambulance crew arrived within a short time. They were very patient with my husband who has memory loss and often makes stuff up if he can’t remember but agreed that it was a serious problem and he should go to hospital, also allowed me to accompany him. Although the walk-in section was rammed it was fairly quiet in our area. We did have a long wait to see a doctor but were looked after while blood test results were awaited. After the doctor examined my husband he was sent for a CT scan, read in Australia we were told, while we read the Australian ones in their nights 🤔 Eventually the results were reported at 6am, very bad news, but I want to pay tribute to the team on duty who were patient, kind and sympathetic and plied me with tea and coffee and a sandwich and found me a more comfy chair.

Obviously we are very lucky with our local hospital but it does make you wonder why there is so much difference? One for the new Liz!

Written by
Buffafly profile image
Buffafly
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
31 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

So pleased your husband was well cared for but saddened to hear you received very bad news. Thinking of you both. X

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Thank you for your positive feedback on your A&E visit.

I'm so sorry to hear that you received such bad news after your husbands CT scan. I'm a little confused re your comments re Australia - or am I just being thick!

How is your husband today!

Thinking of you.

Jean

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply to jeanjeannie50

I'm waiting to be enlightened on the Australia bit as well Jean !🤔

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to Jalia

I’ve edited it so I hope it makes sense now. I guess it is down to staffing - more staff in day so capacity to read another country’s night time scans, thus avoiding the need for a night shift radiographer?

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply to Buffafly

Amazing !That's really interesting !

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to Buffafly

gosh, I never knew. Joys of the internet. Which hospital did you go to? Can't imagine this happening at Hereford. I'm so sorry about your bad news. How thoughtful of you to post this under the circumstances.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to jeanjeannie50

Thank you, he is home and pain free thanks to medication - we had hoped the operation he had in February was going to give us much more time but not to be……

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to Buffafly

I am so sorry. It is extremely stressful when one has bad news about one’s partner. Hope it has not triggered your A/Fib to go mad. You need to do everything you can to relax and take care of yourself. Don’t envy you your journey with your husband. Mine has been given a 3-4 year window and he is looking rather grey and sad. You will be going through an extremely difficult time and I wish you well.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply to Buffafly

Very sorry to read this Buffafly. ☹️

Jalia profile image
Jalia

Very sorry to hear that the news is not good for your husband Buffafly. It does make it all easier to bear when you have such a positive hospital experience such as you had. Ive always found our local hospital first rate .

Best wishes

J

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

Good re your A and E care Buffafly. So sorry to hear of your husbands problems. Sending you both good wishes and hugs x

SuziElley profile image
SuziElley

oh Buffy, so sorry your news wasn’t better but the plus was the care you both received. I too have always found my local hospital ready to step up to the mark when I’ve needed them.

Take care and my best wishes are with you xx

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

glad you and your husband were well cared for.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

kind staff make all the difference. So sorry about the bad news but glad you thought it a good experience. It is a lottery but a little kindness goes a long way.

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to CDreamer

It does indeed.

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Softens the blow if people genuinely care.

So sorry it was bad news but sending good wishes for you both.

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn

I’m so sorry to hear that the news was bad, Buffafly 😢 Sending hugs xxx

Gumbie_Cat profile image
Gumbie_Cat

So sorry to hear of the bad news xx

Fullofheart profile image
Fullofheart

Im so sorry to read that you had bad news whilst at A and E. Amazed that amongst that you could take away positives and then share them with this community. Thank you.

Really pleased you were well taken care of. I hope that continues for you both through whatever comes next.

Thinking of you.

bassets profile image
bassets

Very nice to hear you were well cared for, but very sad to hear of your plight. Bless you both xx

Very well said! And I am so sorry about the bad news. I have had some very good care and in person appointments at my GPs but our city hospital A&E in a building site of a hospital can be impossible. Our area has another A&E in a sleepier town inland, where those who can get a lift prefer to go. Good luck!

Maggimunro profile image
Maggimunro

so sorry about your really bad news.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

my local hospital is useless with afib bit usually good with everything else. The trauma hospital Addenbrooke's in Cambridge is excellent.

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers

thinking of you and your husband sending you a virtual hug

Mouchkin profile image
Mouchkin

My experience is pretty much the same. My husband was unable to eat, due to a blockage. After a big fight I got him into hospital where he sadly died. This was the end of April. The care he had was superb,and the care for me too with excellent communication. I am sorry you had very bad news but am glad you have had such professional and kind treatment by the staff.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire

So good to hear about a positive experience of A&E after all the bad ones. Sorry to hear about your bad news and hope your husband continues to get good treatment in the days to come.

George22 profile image
George22

I’m so sorry that you had bad news , my thoughts and prayers go to both you and your husband .

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX

🙏🏻❤️🤗

Handel profile image
Handel

Hello Buffafly. We're thinking of you both. Lots of virtual love and hugs. Jan xxxx

irene75359 profile image
irene75359

Oh Buffafly, I am so sorry to hear that you had bad news. Hopefully your husband will be shown the same level of care and compassion as he is treated. Please look after yourself too xx

Roobydooby profile image
Roobydooby

So good to hear the NHS stepped up when you needed it, but I’m so sorry to hear your bad news x

You may also like...

A and E Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh.

much cardiac stuff on one's records pushes one up the scale. Doctor was very thorough, ecg. listen

Experiences with Metoprolol

during the night after having sex which was one of my original Afib triggers. When I reported...

Should I go to A and E?

pretty low and my af doesn't seem to present as a very fast pulse rather just madly erratic.  No...

admitted to A& E with PAF

Such a long awful night. So next time I definitely won’t go in to A& E at night time if I had seen...

Flying and Afib - terrible experience

home I had had a run of several nights of poor sleep that week and also very long days visiting...