I visited the A&E department this week, presenting with significant levels of blood ketones as a type 1 diabetic, suffering from a vomiting and diarrhoea bug for several days. This is considered a very urgent medical case.
I attempted to call ahead to seek specialist advice, but was firstly cut off after the switchboard, then after finding a number was told by the diabetes specialist nurse admin and that they couldn't help me and I could be waiting hours for a response. There is no direct phone number for the DSN.
The staff in A&E were flat out and never stopped; the department was very busy. I spent about 7 hours there and never met anyone specialising in diabetes to help me. My blood/urine test results showed 5 critical results, which I questioned but felt I was brushed off and sent home with anti-sickness tablets. There is a definite fear in HCPs about diabetes if they are not specialists, but to me this is dangerous, negligent care; and doesn’t adhere to the healthcare essentials for people living with diabetes.
In general, the A&E department felt like it lacked information for visitors about where to go, what to do and what the process is. I feel if people understood these things better, there might be a smoother experience for all. Particularly for the significant number of elderly patients attending. Some facilities were lacking basic supplies such as toilet roll and paper towels, and were quite unclean.
"Diabetic patient in A&E"
About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department BT63 5QQ Southern Health & Social Care Trust / Urgent Care Centre Southern Health & Social Care Trust Urgent Care Centre BT63 5QQ
Posted by lyrakx96 (as ),
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