"My recent suspected TIA"

I am 66 years old and have a condition called Polycythaemia Vera. Three years ago, I had a stroke, at which time it was discovered, by a very clever and thorough medical house officer, that I might have a blood problem that led to my stroke. He was right, and now, three years later, I am well and in the very good care of my local Haematology Department. 

Three days ago, I had an incident which for now is being regarded as a suspect TIA, though more likely a blood pressure problem. I spent the day in the ED, which resembled one of those MASH units I used to see on TV. But, I had my book, some tea and the odd thing to nibble, and I got through the day. There were lengthy periods of waiting, interspersed with calls into the actual ED clinical area from the waiting area, and assessments by very competent and kindly medical and nursing staff.

I had a CT scan and at the end of the day recieved a visit from a consultant from the Stroke ward. He was most understanding and very thorough . He said I could go home and that I would be called soon for an MRI and Doplar scan. Just two days later, I had both and recieved the welcome news that there was no stroke and my carotid artery is perfectly clear. I must continue to be cautious and there will be more assessments, especially regarding blood pressure. 

I detail all of this so as to clarify that I recieved the most excellent medical care. 

However, it is also true to say that I am a well informed patient and have a good understanding my both my own condition and of health matters generally.  As a result, I was able to make judgements about how my clincal care was progressing as the day in ED wore on and was well equipped to escalate any concerns I might have had.

I want to draw attention to those less fortunate than me, who have little option but to wait and and see what happens'. I heard a patient sitting next to me, who was in obvious pain, tell their companion, that visits to the GP proved fruitless and with no intervention they were told to go to the ED.

Later that day, I got talking to another patient who had taken a fall and bruised their hip, which was a replacement hip. They had been waiting all day to be told when to go for the XRAY the clinician had ordered.  Told me they had asked numerous times but didn't want to be a nuisance to staff, as all of us could see were massively over-burdened.

Not one person waiting in the ED either raised their voice nor was aggressive during my 12 hours there, though I acknowledge, violence does happen and is often directed at medical staff. That of course is intolerable. Yet, the majority of those waiting had one thing in common - a complete lack of information. 

On the occasions when I entered the clinical area of the ED, I, and of course the staff had to weave in or around patients in seats or chairs, many of who were attached to drips or nebulisers or monitors. There was little room to move for anyone. 

It is beyond my comprehension that those staff work in that environment and still manage to be polite, caring and clinically accurate. I know from my own professional experience that such a situation is simply not sustainable. 

Like others, I am profoundly grateful for the care I have received, but, I am duty bound to say, on behalf of those staff, if that is not overstepping, that it is completely indefensible to have these people working in a risk-intense environment day after day. At some point, something will break!