My Hgb was down to 57 ( yes fifty seven), I was sent to Edinburgh as an emergency and I had a unit of packed red blood cells which brought it up to eighty something then I was transferred back to my awful local hospital who did nothing and refused to do blood tests ( or anything else, I ended up collapsed on the floor under the bed for several hours). I self discharged against medical advice ( yes I know!!) and the district nurse took bloods at home - Hgb was low 70s so A&E by ambulance for a further unit overnight. Next blood test on Wednesday arranged by my GP as the hospital have refused to even see me but I am home, warm, safe and comfortable.
I have no follow up arranged and it appears after an assault by hospital staff members I have been abandoned. I have photographic evidence plus witness statements confirming the assault (implant of unnecessary medical device in the wrong place and without consent for any such implant)The district nurse advised that if I think I need hospital admission I should go north into the Edinburgh hospital catchment area as the local hospital will do nothing as I am regarded as "too complex".
Written by
nellietheelephamt
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
That is truly appalling. I hope you follow through on accountability for the dreadful care.
The district nurse is correct. Do not ever go back to that local hospital for anything. Do whatever is necessary to get admitted to a hospital where you will receive appropriate care.
That is an awful way to start the year. So sorry that you've had to go through this. I'd be done with that hospital forever. Change direction, find a new hospital and start afresh. You can do this. Good luck
The trouble is there is no choice. An ambulance has to take to the nearest hospital. If I go to Edinburgh then care is superb but they are under obligation to get me back to my local hospital asap so their hands are tied. The Edinburgh specialist was very against my transfer back and raised an inter-hospital concern which will be considered "in due course" so will be months before it's looked at.
My MSP ( health being a devolved issue) is very well aware of all the issues and has raised matters with the secretary for health. Lots of warm words but nothing changes as it's always Westminster's fault for lack of funding. Makes one want to spit.
How is it you weren't found under the bed in just a few minutes!
I do hope you can get some assistance soon on what to do from now on. Perhaps your local MP as suggested? Trouble is so many are without any knowledge of our condition it seems.
I agree with the others about contacting your MP, also consider notifying your local or national newspaper, they don’t like bad publicity. Some hospital staff shouldn’t be allowed to work with the public, others are really good.
Here in North east Wales, if my wife's Hgb is around 90, she'll get two or more bags of packed RBC, they always get her up to at least 110 before release. We can estimate what her Hgb is by how she feels and colour of gums, so we then ask for blood test, which is pretty quick. Our health service is also devolved from England NHS but follows or at times leads closely. Scotland should pull their fingers out
Here no transfusion until less than 80 and then a single bag. Dr D ( who I saw privately) was horrified and suggested transfusion should aim to keep Hgb above 100. I've not not been above 100 since May.
My GP is very good at arranging blood tests but then has to beg for a transfusion as I have been discharged from all but A&E at the hospital. A&E is "as required if brought in by ambulance". Waste of resource when I can get a taxi.
Morning just so upsetting to read let alone go through .
Down south Uk I was taken to St George’s hospital by ambulance bypassing my local hospital because the paramedics said it was centre of exellence.. they thought I was having a stroke . Also if I have high temperature requiring treatment I was told to get to St George’s .. hasn’t yet happened.
Is it not possible to have a letter saying due to your condition you should always be taken to Edinburgh . I understand your frustration. It is never considered I have an MPN when I speak to other specialists regarding many symptoms.. just keep trying . We all understand in this site how difficult it can be .L
Unfortunately that is not an option. The ambulance service have to take the patient to the nearest A&E and then that A&E may transfer on as happened in December.
As a patient only just conscious and in pain one is in no position to self advocate.
It would be far cheaper just to get on with it but the trust is millions overspent and don't see things that way. Penny wise and pound foolish.
I was once offered a finance job at the trust about 20 years ago but turned it down as I'd also been offered a job with the EU that was temporary but far more interesting. A good decision for me I think but perhaps the trust would have avoided the financial pickle they are in now had I taken up the challenge. My expertise was in not for profit (third sector) organisations, fraud prevention and value for money plus charity sector taxation.
I was under the impression health professionals (I was one for 36 years) do no harm, the account of your experience is almost hard to believe. If you have the energy I would write to the chief executive of the 'hospital from hell' and explain what happened and just to give him/her an extra nudge I would mention that you are considering involving the local press. I would also contact PALS. The more organisations that know about your terrifying experience the better, there could be many more people who have experienced similar but are frightened of 'rocking the boat' or just do not know who to approach. I had a similar ambulance experience many years ago when I had to ring 999 for my husband who was experiencing a respiratory crisis due to motor neurone disease. The hospital that the emergency ambulance took patients had no experience of MND so when the paramedics arrived I said we had to go to a specific hospital and a specific ward (I had already telephoned the ward to say we were on our way). Paramedics said no so I said well I will take him myself in the car if I can drag him out to it (he was by now paralysed and unable to communicate and I am only 4ft 10 inch tall). I think I shamed them into acting, after witnessing my feeble efforts they took over and took us to where we had to be, I know they got an ear bashing on the radio but that wasn't my problem, patient comes first in my opinion. It is exhausting but it is worth the effort to put things right and make staff accountable. Very best wishes to you.
I'm taking the legal route as involving the CEO, MSP, Patient Experience (as PALS is called in Scotland) results in a bland letter and no action.
My last complaint about out of date food told me I had mixed up manufacture and use by date - I have photographs and sent them in to prove my case but have had no answer to that one. My MSP was told I had been sent a full and final response but I haven't. She has promised to chase up but has also been ignored.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Peg jab
