"No one took responsibility"

In late 2024, I sought help from my GP practice in Hammersmith for a post-operative complication after an abdominoplasty abroad. My wound wasn’t healing properly, and despite reaching out multiple times and sending photos, I was met with ignorance, lack of professionalism, and even cruelty — particularly from a Nurse 

From my very first appointment, the nurse treated me with open disdain. They made derogatory comments about my surgery, told me the wound would surely get worse, that I might lose all the skin from my abdomen, and that even if it healed, it would be a nasty scar. They refused to refer me to the Tissue Viability Team, despite my deteriorating condition, claiming I had to remain under their care for six weeks before a referral could be made — something I later learned was completely false.

The nurse dressed the wound poorly, using paper dressings meant for minor abrasions — totally inappropriate for a deep, surgical wound. The bandages would fall off at night. I was left frightened and confused. When I requested a doctor to review my wound, the nurse became aggressive and reluctant to help — only doing so after seeing a note from the GP. Even then, they interrupted the doctor during our consultation, arguing against the referral, insisting no one would help me because my surgery had been done abroad.

It was only through my insistence on seeing a doctor that I finally received a swab and, eventually, antibiotics. But by then, the wound had worsened, and two later swabs came back positive for infection. The first one — under the nurse's care — had allegedly shown no bacteria, and they told me I didn’t need antibiotics. If had I not pushed for further care, I could’ve ended up with sepsis.

When I finally got an appointment with a different GP, they immediately referred me to the Tissue Viability Team — who were horrified by what had happened. They told me in no uncertain terms that there is no requirement to wait six weeks for referral in a case like mine. They said my wound should never have been dressed with paper dressings, and that my condition should’ve been treated as urgent. They were compassionate, professional, and genuinely cared — I was under their care for several months as my wound took a long time to heal due to earlier delays and mismanagement.

Additionally, I was told by reception staff that there were no appointments available with the nurse after I asked to be seen again — no matter the day or time. It felt like the nurse was avoiding me. I felt judged, humiliated, and unsafe.

To make matters worse, the hospital A&E I was sent to also failed me. Despite being seen by three surgeons, they missed early necrosis and gave me an ineffective antibiotic, which made me ill. No debridement, no re-suturing, no proper follow-up — just a prescription and dismissal. Between the hospital and GP practice, no one took responsibility.

I now have a large hypertrophic scar that causes discomfort and may require revision surgery. All of this could have been prevented if I'd been taken seriously early on.

When I submitted a formal complaint, the practice replied in a cold and toxic manner. They did not acknowledge any wrongdoing by the nurse. In fact, they wrote that they were sorry I felt the need to complain — not sorry for what happened to me. That level of gaslighting is disturbing.

I have every right to be treated with respect and care.