"Stroke assistance"

I called my surgery in Ayr early in the morning to say that I had no use of my right arm. It was hanging limp.

Two hours later, a doctor called me and said that I was having a stroke and to get to A&E immediately. So much for the first hour being crucial. On arrival at A&E, I explained that I was having a stroke and had been told to report there. 90 minutes later I was seen by a nurse. Twenty minutes or so later, I saw a doctor.

This was at approximately 1pm. I was then put on a trolley bed and with the exception of a CT scan was under the bright lights of the A&E department until the early hours of the following morning, regular cognitive tests and blood pressure checks were applied. At 7pm I asked if I could get a drink of water. At 3am I was finally told they had a bed. During this time I was not offered a drink or any food. I phoned my wife and she came to the hospital with food and drink. 

I was given a bed and tried to sleep and half an hour later I was woken by a nurse who said that they needed to take details of my alcohol intake; did I smoke? etc. After 6 am, I was seen by a consultant, who on seeing that I had recovered some strength in my right arm, concluded that I had not had a stroke. The whole experience was exhausting and traumatic. 

A later MRI scan confirmed that I had indeed suffered a stroke.

I was clinically depressed for over 6 months due to my treatment at the hospital.