Worried

[Nonameme]

Female age 77 with history of type two diabetes, being investigated and had loading dose for B12 deficiency. Have had medication for high blood pressure which has not changed for years but has been questioned a few times as BP holds steady around 135/66.

on Thursday 8th June I was a passenger in a car which hit a car which suddenly stopped having presumably missed their turning -they drove off.

Air bags were deployed. Able to self extract on advice of witnesses and all attention rightly so on drive who sustained 11 rib fractures and kept in hospital 2 nights.

At first assumed I was uninjured but upotbeing examined in an ambulance they were concerned about erratic heartbeats which. I confirmed were unusual as I haave to my knowledge no problems. Also my blood pressure was 200/90 So said must go to hospital. I will not go into detail here but lets say very underwhelmed no one checked any of these findings and after a chest xray was sent home. No care at home no family so alone for 2days then sister for whom Iam a caregiver discharged to my care.

long story short no contact for any for either of us over 7 days. I was struggling very badly bruised from left shoulder to right lower abdomen . I use a scooter and wheelchair due to injuries from an accident in my youth so life was hard with a now bedridden sister.

I contacted GP VIA E CONSULT and was told tophone and make af2 f that day I tried 3 8am morning calls but each time told no appointments till July

On Thursday I was in agony the pain now at top of chest from centre to underarm. Only way to contact GP WAS e consult to adviseI was unable to get appoointment. Heard nothing so rang 111 Friday am who we’re concerned and and said I was to present to A E and they would be xpecting me.

A neighbour had 2 hours so took me they were not expecting me so back of line. 3 hours s later not been triaged so had to leave.

whilst away a community nurse arrived and was seeing to my sister then a doctor who examined her she asked for painkillers which he fetched and left. Then the nurse checked the medication and it was in my name and my repeated prescription nothing extra for pain

She had left when I returned having mad a sandwich for my sister so i was able to go to bed

She returned Saturday and checked me over and was horrified by irregular heart beat palpitation and shortness of breath and very high bp. Sent for an ambulance with accompanying note and phone call to 111. Ambulance arrived carried out own tests more concer then taken to ae. Mentioned findings on handover vitals check same questions and astonishment then added’mind you you have just been in an ambulance would not have helped!

no pain killers during 6 hours. Scan afer 5 hours told staying overnight results in am. Given over night usual medications moved from trolley to bed still in ae. Deparment almost empty by 10pm.

Then a nurse comes to remove canula you can go home I explained no transport t as all stood down well go and sit in waiting room can you walk not well without wheelchat by which time bed stripped ask could they give me a few minutes there were 7 empty bays!! No go to waiting room you are discharge d Said I would have to walk 6 miles and that was that

Now I am terrified and do not know what to do luckily stranger stopped seeing me walking in my nightie at the side of the road and took me home Am I ill or are my problems insignificant?

apologies for long post

[Tos92]

Hi Nonameme

I am very very sorry to hear about the car accident and your hospital experience. I’ve had some bad care in in the past, but nothing like this.

Firstly, I would email your PALS (patient advice liaison service) at your local hospital with the terrible service and treatment you had. You can easily find this on your hospital’s site or maybe ask if your sister’s nurse can help you locate the site and email if you’re not familiar with using the internet.

Secondly, you’ve had what sounds like a pretty bad physical impact left on you from when the car that you were sitting in crashed into another with the bruising, and now an unexplained high heart rate and BP.

Ice packs can help with the bruising. Paracetamol is considered one of the safest painkillers to take. If you’re not taking any at the moment, please call your GP tomorrow and check that it if safe for you to have those or your local pharmacist. Maybe also ask if you could have something stronger if the pain is bad.

I think you need further investigations. If this was me, I personally wouldn’t be comfortable being discharged like this with no follow up appointments.

Please don’t be afraid to call 111 again if you’re still feeling unwell. I know the hospital experience at A&E was dreadful, I honestly can’t believe they left you to walk back home without any transport.

Do you have any friends or family nearby that can take you to the hospital for another check over and sit with you?

I would also re-contact your GP and mention that you are still experiencing symptoms since the car accident.

I really hope you get seen to ASAP.

Please let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Tos

[Nonameme in reply to Tos92]

Thank you I feel more comforted by your words than at an time since this happened. Iwill certainly let you know going forward. I have found PALS and will send a copy of my post. Again many thanks.

[Qualipop in reply to Tos92]

Can you physically get to the GP surgery and stand there until someone agrees to see you? Show them your bruises That's absolutely appalling.

[Nonameme in reply to Qualipop]

I have actually sent them photos. No. Contact since. I am taking regular bp which is staying around 200/90. Lowest was 156/80 first thing in am then back up where it stays all day.

Unfortunately I live rural and surgery 10 miles away.

[Qualipop in reply to Nonameme]

OH that's difficult. Is that really the only option? You couldn't change GP? Have you asked where other locals go? Your BP needs investigating although much of it could be stress. Your hospital sounds horrific.

Although there are problems with my GP; long waits in a phone queue, never seeing the same doctor twice etc, I rang them today as I've been having chest discomfort and raised BP. They rang back after about half an hour and I've been referred to cardio for a possible CT scan (goodness knows when) and have bloods done next week and have to keep a week's record of BP.

[Nonameme in reply to Qualipop]

Very limited asI live on isle so only one hospital Isle of Wight and limited GPs.

To add insult to injury just seen discharge report to GP on my record and they have said I I was aggressive and abusive -yes I was in tears and asking for a few moments to get myself together but anyone that knows me could never agree with that statement but they ended by saying I walked out if the building and was collected by next of kin- impossible my sister was the driver in the accident, bed ridden at home and our car was destroyed

So really do feel we have nowhere elseto turn.

[Qualipop in reply to Nonameme]

Contact PALS at the hospital

[Nonameme in reply to Qualipop]

Have done so wrote a long email as could not sleep due to pain andhaert beating in my head! As of midday no response early days I guess.

[Qualipop in reply to Nonameme]

Our PALS can take two or three days to reply