"Not being listened to"

I recently had my prostate removed due to prostate cancer. After surgery I struggled to go to the toilet. My consultant added a note to my medical file and told me if there were problems over the weekend to go straight to A&E and point to their note. My consultant was very helpful and took time to listen to my pains and worries. 

Unfortunately the situation didn't improve and I did have to go to A&E. At the registration desk the note was mentioned, but ignored. After waiting for my turn the triage team asked me questions, but also ignored my mention of the note. 

After a longer waiting period (total time by now about 5 hours) I was called by a junior doctor. There was another set of questions and he told me he was going to examine me. I told him about the note too and while I was getting ready for his examination he let me know that wasn't necessary because everything was in the note. Yes! Finally someone who listened!

The doctor took me (and my partner) to another department and started calling to get me admitted. In between he even came over to ask me if I needed painkillers. This is the kind of professional the NHS needs, someone who listens to the patient and doesn't just do a tick-box exercise!

I would sincerely like to thank this junior doctor for taking me serious and acting on the given information. 

In the end I spent three days in hospital because my bowels stopped working. If I would have reached the SAU without the five hours waiting I believe it might have been reduced to two days. 

The staff at the SAU was very friendly and helpful in my treatment and answering questions I had. The digestive system still isn't what it should be, but I'm getting there!