"Experience at AMRA"

I recently went to A&E at QMC with an impacted rectum, due to having been prescribed Co-codamol (without stool softeners) by a GP at my local surgery. When I checked in with Reception, I was immediately sent to another unit next door, Emergency Treatment Centre, where I had a fairly lengthy wait to speak to a triage nurse and eventually a doctor - none of that unexpected.

The doctor sent me back to the waiting room, saying they’d be contacting another department to see me, and that someone would fetch me. Sometime later, I was called, and my husband and I were walked part of the way to AMRA, with instructions upon leaving the lift to go through the double doors - it was still a long way to the unit, and we tried to ask for directions a couple of times but as it was 8pm,  every unit/desk we passed was closed. If the staff member had told us AMRA was close to the main entrance, it would have been more helpful.

When we got to AMRA, I was greatly distressed as no staff were visible and there was a sign saying that visiting hours ended at 8pm - neither my husband nor I saw info about or a button to press for gaining admission. While he went off in search of help, I kept knocking on the door and after a few minutes someone came to let me in. Thankfully, they had the referral info from the ER doctor, as I’d completely forgotten about the folded piece of paper given to me with AMRA scrawled on it!

First, praise for the AMRA staff - their care, kindness and warm hands to hold cannot be faulted. I am immensely grateful that they permitted my husband to stay with me throughout my time in the department.

My disappointment comes as a result of the time it took for me to be given a 3-minute enema that finally resolved much of my extreme discomfort of the previous 3 days. After seeing a resident doctor and then some time later the senior doctor, the latter told me that an enema was the last resort, and that I would be given a suppository that would take a half hour to work. At least 40 minutes later, the senior doctor returned and said that none of the suppositories were in stock, so they would be giving me an enema instead.

When the nurse was able to do this for me I was surprised at how quick a procedure it was - surely no more than 3 minutes. Within 5 minutes it was fully effective. I stayed for maybe an hour longer, taking advantage of the in-unit shower, and was finally discharged at 1:30am. One of the nurses accompanied us to the main entrance and helped us order a taxi home. 

I understand that this is a busy unit, but think that someone should have known the suppositories were not in stock before I was told this would be my treatment - my referral from the Emergency Treatment Centre clearly stated the reason for my admission - at the very least it would have shortened my wait for the successful procedure that was ultimately done.

Despite this disappointment, I remain grateful for the NHS.