Breading places for germs.

[pollyjj]

Yesterday spent the best part of 5 hours in the A&E department of and eye hospital with my husband, he has been having problems with his sight.

It was so hot in there no windows open no water on offer, no disabled toilets to hand, and the TV was so loud you could not hear the names they called out.

We arrived just before 6pm and left at 10.45pm after they suddenly said they wanted him to stay in all night to wait for a CT scan today and if he was lucky they hoped he would be discharged before dark today, which would have left me to drive about 15 miles home through the City centre on my own not knowing the way. He declined, so today I am going to try and contact the doctor (bearing in mind it is holiday weekend) with a view to getting a private scan, don't know how much this will cost.

Got to bed at 12 and up at 5 so am shattered today. He is still sleeping so I hope he will agree.

The only good thing was the ticket machine was broken so we didn't have to pay to park.

polly xx

[Hidden]

I think most people feel vulnerable in A&E. Blaring TVs are unforgiveable. I would have been looking for he remote. i have seen them playing cartoons in an old peoples home.

Some sort of ventilation is essential. All the missing facilities should be on hand. Apreciate that the staff are run of their feet.

What you can do is to ring the local PALS (patients advisory liasion service?) and give your comments to them. The hospital might even have a comment section. I complained once about my admission to a geriatric ward. PALS were sympathetic. Next thing, I had the ward manager ring me in a friendly fashion.

[libbygood]

Bad day polly. Try and get that private scan, I would. You don't want another 5 hours like that and it needs to be done soon.

Lib x

[Lynne1955]

What a terrible evening and I agree with Annie that those conditions are not good at all. I have no idea about private costs, but it won't be cheap for a scan, I suspect.

If your GP is not about, and if your husband gets worse, I might be tempted to call an ambulance. If its not that urgent, I assume your GP will be back on Tuesday. It's really hard in these situations.

Lynne xx

[Hidden]

That sounds horrible

My Dad had leukaemia and was put in a sort of cupboard room because the only intensive care room was occupied. They said as soon as that person died my Dad could have that room (!) My Dad died first. Anyway, the bin man came in daily really near to his bed, and the hygiene was rubbish, obviously completely unacceptable when someone has no immune system. That was Kingston hospital in SW London, 2006. After seeing that I could believe literally anything.

Good luck

koala x

[Pepsicoley]

Hello Polly

I'm sorry that you had such an awful time. I can understand why you are shattered.

Whoever thought of putting a TV in A&E could have been better employed making sure that patients had water, some fresh air and a toilet for the disabled. I hope that you complain to the Hospital Trust - sometimes we just 'put up with things'.

I hope that you find some help today.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

[elian]

As if you weren't stressed out enough polly, worrying about your hubby, without all the added inconveniences Pepsicoley has the right idea though, why not put your complaints/suggestions in writing to the Hospital Trust. Changes for the better will never be made unless we speak up about the things that worry/anger/frustrate us.

As for the free parking, you both deserved it after all the hassle you went through.

In the meantime,

keep on keeping on and I hope your husband will soon be fully recovered from his eye trouble.

xx

[pollyjj]

Thank you everyone, I will be writing a letter once we have this sorted and I can get my head together. We are now settling down to a quite afternoon and an early night, can't do anything now until Tuesday.

Thanks again.

polly xx