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"Not so good on this occasion"

About: East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust / Emergency ambulance Pilgrim Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

111 service excellent 

999 paramedics excellent service but could only take me to Pilgrim hospital where there is no neurology department or neurologists

A&E not so good on this occasion, after ambulance crew were instructed to wheel me in to the waiting area in a wheelchair, a member of staff told me to get out of the wheelchair and find somewhere else to sit although I’m disabled and need a wheelchair.

I was then asked to make my way to bloods but I was not able to walk, didn't have a wheelchair so they had to give me the wheelchair back so I could have my bloods taken,

After this I was told to wait in a waiting area in the corridor. About 2 hours later a doctor asked a few questions in the corridor and said they would go check my file from my 2 months stay in ward 8a.

By this time I’m still not being monitored for oxygen drops.

They said once they'd got the file, they would pop back.

They did not come back!

A few hours later I was asked why I’m still sat in this area and was then told to go to the A&E waiting area as the doctor I saw apparently went home!

I had 2-3 checks for blood pressure and oxygen levels in the waiting area, I asked if I could stay on the oximeter that would notify you if my oxygen level drops to dangerous levels where I was told we don’t have that equipment spare to leave with one patient. 

I explained this was the only reason why I’m in hospital and told them I had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and have random breathing problems and this made no difference.

After roughly 13 hours I was told to go home as there’s nothing they can do for me, but if it happens again just call 999 not 111 and ask for an ambulance to bring me back, although they can’t help me.

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Responses

Response from Philippa Davies, Matron, Emergency Department, ULHT 2 days ago
Philippa Davies
Matron, Emergency Department,
ULHT
Submitted on 25/11/2025 at 11:47
Published on Care Opinion at 11:47


Dear Corridor Col,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback following your visit to Pilgrim hospital Emergency Department and I apologise that this was not a positive experience for you.

Patients sitting in our waiting are are encouraged to get out of wheelchairs and into our waiting rooms chairs. We do this as these chairs are designed to relieve pressure on your skin and are far more comfortable. However not all patients wish to do this, we should have listened to your needs and requirements.

The doctor you saw initially is a consultant who would have requested the investigations you required. After this consultation patients are asked to wait back in the waiting room, I am sorry that this was not communicated to you at the time.

The staff at the time were correct in informing you that we do not have sufficient amount of observations for all patients to have their own, your observations were taken regularly and the staff could monitor any abnormal observation.

I sincerely apologise that you were not entirely happy with the care you received and will share this feedback with the staff.

I hope you are recovering well at home.

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