"So disappointed with the whole scenario"

My grandmother was sent to Wishaw General by our GP for a blood transfusion as her haemoglobin was low.

This involved a 12 hour wait in ??Ambulatory Care/A&E waiting area/medical receiving, we are unsure. She had bloods taken and an ECG done at the start, and then was completely left. No information was offered, no glass of water, no check in by staff of any sort. Medical staff must know a haemoglobin of this level would normally result in symptoms of light-headedness/hypotension/tachycardia etc so why she was not checked on or had repeat obs in the 12 hours is questionable.

Whilst it was a bank holiday weekend and I am aware of how busy things get, communication goes a long way. I have previously worked at another A&E dept and it was always ensured that we do rounds to check on those waiting and offer water and sandwiches if need be. My mother then approached a member of staff 6 hours into their wait to ask how much longer it would be, the patient was in her 70s and sore, to which the staff member replied that it didn't matter what age she was, she would need to wait like everyone else. That attitude frankly stinks. My mother was in no way cheeky or aggressive. My mother also heard the receptionists talking (not so kindly) about a patient, I think care is needed here, the desks are not soundproof.

When my grandmother was eventually put in a wheelchair to go to the ward, the staff member told my mum that she might as well just go now. My mum had to pull the staff member aside and tell them my gran gets confused and easily lost, could this be passed on, to which the staff member just replied "right" and turned away. The lack of compassion is worrying. Burnout is high in this area and it was very busy but patients and families are already scared and stressed - I feel that staff should not be adding to this by being standoffish or uninterested. 

My gran was admitted to medical assessment 1 for 3 days. The staff here were lovely. They really listened and were very good with my gran.

However, after all this, my gran did not receive a blood transfusion at all. Yes, she had a CT and an xray to rule out malignancy or bleeding but considering she was symptomatic and now with a level even lower than on admission, I still do not understand this. I spoke to a doctor via telephone who said they were not transfusing unless she dropped below 70 and it was policy there and also that was what the senior doctor had decided. I explained my background and that in my area we transfuse at 80. My gran was completely colourless and extremely lethargic, but this was not enough to warrant a transfusion. I stated I was not happy with this and would prefer she was not discharged but this was to no avail. My gran had already left the ward by the time I got off the phone - she's confused but very stubborn. Thankfully we got her at the front door in her pyjamas with her once daily oral iron tablets, which let's be honest, are not going to do much.

I truly believe the hospital needed the bed over the bank holiday, knew it would be a long wait to get the scopes she needs so discharged her home to await an outpatient appointment.

I'm so disappointed with the whole scenario and would rather use another hospital in Lanarkshire for my family in the future.