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"Highly unprofessional and disappointing."

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Emergency Medicine Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Respiratory Medicine (Breathing and Lung Problems) Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a relative),

I, unfortunately, had to contact 999 for an ambulance on a Sunday evening for my wife having difficulties with breathing due to asthma.  I was informed by the operator that there was a high demand of calls within my local area and may be a wait for an ambulance, which I acknowledged and accepted. 

Within 10 mins of calling an ambulance arrived.  On arrival I could sense that this visit wasn't going to go well.  Out of the two ambulance crew, one was rude and on observation uncaring.  The second was nice and trying to help as best as they could.  The ambulance crew should be using their own equipment and stock, however as my wife had a nebulizer at home, they instructed us to provide the nebulizer solution and mask she uses for machine, which we did not get back from them. 

On arrival to ED, there was a wait on the back of the ambulance which was fair enough, understandably busy.  Throughout the time spent on the ambulance, crew member 1 of 2 was nothing but moaning about how they were from a different location and not from this area, and that they should have been finished.  However, they were the crew that accepted the job knowing that they would have to wait to admit into ED.  I found this highly unprofessional and disappointing. 

My wife got quite upset and agitated and the crew member stated that if you want to leave then leave, therefore my wife did however the police were then called for her safety.  The ambulance then left the ED and as a result my wife was put into ED waiting room and left for 6 hours without even being assessed.  Consequently, she was admitted into hospital by her own GP the next day.      

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Responses

Response from Lesley Kay, Patient Experience Team Leader, Corporate Affairs, Scottish Ambulance Service 4 months ago
Lesley Kay
Patient Experience Team Leader, Corporate Affairs,
Scottish Ambulance Service
Submitted on 13/12/2023 at 13:06
Published on Care Opinion at 13:06


Dear Donfans1903

Thank you for your email. I am very sorry to read the experience you describe. This is disappointing to hear and very far from what we strive to achieve.

I would really like to have this matter fully looked into fo you if I may? To allow me to do so, please may I ask you contact our team at sas.feedback@nhs.scot with your wife's name, date and address where we attended.

I look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

Lesley

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Response from Julie Wattie, Nurse Manager, Medicine 1 (Medicine and Unscheduled Care Division), NHS Grampian 4 months ago
Julie Wattie
Nurse Manager, Medicine 1 (Medicine and Unscheduled Care Division),
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 14/12/2023 at 16:08
Published on Care Opinion at 16:08


Dear Donfans1903,

I am so sorry to hear about your wife's experience and see that ambulance colleagues have also replied.I apologise that your wife had a lengthy wait to be assessed in the Emergency Department. This is not the standard of care we wish to provide but due to extreme pressures on our services.

I hope that your wife is recovering well. If there is anything further you wish me to look in to please contact me on julie.wattie@nhs.scot

Julie

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