"Left in pain and nowhere to turn"

 I am in my late seventies 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.

I was a passenger in a car which was hit by 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 the driver who sustained 11 rib fractures and kept in hospital 2 nights.

At first assumed I was uninjured but upon being examined in an ambulance they were concerned about erratic heartbeats which. I confirmed were unusual as I have 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 x ray was sent home. No care at home, no family, so alone for 2 days then sister for whom I am a caregiver was  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 the GP via e consult and was told to phone and make a face to face appointment that day I tried 3 x 8am morning calls but each time told no appointments till July

I was in agony the pain now at top of chest from centre to underarm. Only way to contact GP was by e consult to advise that I was unable to get appointment. Heard nothing so rang 111 the next morning who were concerned and said I was to present to A&E and they would be expecting me.

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

Whilst I was 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 and they had examined my sister assuming she was me!

She had left when I returned having made 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 concern then taken to A&E. 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!

I was offered no pain killers during 6 hours, I had a scan after 5 hours  and was told I would be staying overnight and get the results in morning. Given over night usual medications moved from trolley to bed, still in A&E. Department almost empty by late evening.

Then a nurse comes to remove canula and said I could go home. I explained I had no transport and was advised to sit in waiting room, I couldn't walk well without wheelchair but the bed was stripped. I asked if they could give me a few minutes - there were 7 empty bays! but I was told to go to the waiting room as I had been discharged   I said I would have to walk for miles and that was that there were no taxis available because of the festival. 

A few members of staff tried to get me to sit in waiting room but although far from full, there were distressed and obviously unwell patients already there and because it was made so obvious to me that they needed my bed within the 10 seconds it took me to put my feet to the floor and having already spent 6 hours previously in the waiting room and 6 hours in a-male dominated area I just needed some privacy and respect which was so badly missing. After initial observations upon arrival my observations were never checked again nor did I receive any pain medication  

I was terrified and dis not know what to do.  Luckily a 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? BP still 200/90 with irregular heartbeat   No point whatsoever even attempting GP help.

So I am making these postings in the event that someone may benefit when I am no longer around  and yes, as we are repeatedly told NHS under pressure but obviously no pressure taking my contributions straight from my wage packet all my life

This is St Mary’s Hospital Newport Isle of Wight  Its also Isle of Wight Music Festival weekend so it was obvious that they were clearing out and gearing up for later that night  

If patients are going to routinely made to wait in the waiting room at least provide other than plastic chairs and privacy during their vulnerable time I also believe it was illegally hot with no ventilation  

A big thank you to all paramedics s etc  who were on the ball kind and empathetic