"The care I experienced"

I’m writing this to express my deep frustration, pain and utter disappointment over the treatment I received over the past few days at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro. I contacted my GP because I was experiencing excruciating pain in my lower left abdomen, which had started the day before. The GP prescribed some medications and sent me home. However, as the pain worsened, I had no choice but to go to A&E.

After enduring a 7-hour wait, I still couldn’t see a doctor. I was told that the gynecology doctors were all occupied with surgeries and emergencies, and the earliest I could be seen was in at least another hour or two—by then, it was already 9:30 pm. I had to leave because I couldn’t wait any longer with a poorly 2-year-old at home.

The next day, I returned to the emergency department. After waiting for an hour, I called the Eden ward who had given me their number the day before to call if the pain was not improving or worse, only to be told they were full and couldn’t see me yet. I knew the main reason they wanted to see me was to book a pelvic scan, I asked that if I waited longer, will I get the scan that day, I was told it would not happen and the earliest I could get was the next day. This is me, a patient in terrible pain, so I asked them to book it over the phone, so at least, I would go home and return the next morning 10am for the pelvic scan which would direct my management. I provided my details, and they confirmed I was scheduled for 10 am the following morning.

I arrived at the ward for my scan, I was told my name wasn’t on the list—I wasn’t even booked for any scan. I was furious and utterly exhausted, especially as I had come with my sick toddler. Despite being told they had a busy schedule, I waited and eventually had the scan as someone didn’t turn up. The results were normal, but I was still in severe pain and was sent back to my GP, returned to the GP who referred me to the same-day surgical assessment ward for further evaluation.

I arrived at the surgical assessment ward at 4:30 pm, completed all the necessary steps, and sat waiting to be called. What angered me the most was seeing two patients, who had arrived after me, being called and seen while I was still waiting. By 8 pm, I was the only patient left. When I asked the nurse if I was still going to be seen, they assured me they would inform the doctors.

Finally, when the first doctor came out, they explained that the doctor who was supposed to see me had been called away and hadn’t returned, which resulted in me being moved to the bottom of the list. I explained to the nurse that I needed to go home to my toddler and that I was in pain, but when the next doctor came out, they told me I wouldn’t be seen until after the handover, which wouldn’t happen until 9 pm, meaning I wouldn’t be seen until at least 10 pm. 

At that point I was beyond upset and very much irritated . I asked to be discharged so I could go home to my sick baby. I cannot understand why I was treated so badly, all because I was in need of care.

I feel so bad to have experienced what I feel was neglect and disregard, in a place that is supposed to deliver care. I don't think anyone should experience this level of disrespect at their time of need. 

.