"Felt as if I should not be there"

I have had to make two visits to the ED in Dorchester. Both times I have found it hard to identify who is supposed to be my 'go-to' person if I should need updates, advice or assistance. On both visits other patients were kept updated, their welfare was checked on, staff would smile, introduce themselves; even shaking hands on the first meeting. It made me feel abandoned, unsafe and as if I should not be there.

The final straw on this last visit however was a senior nurse announcing in a voice loud enough for the entire waiting room to hear disclosing firstly my reason for being in the department and secondly saying what was going to be happening next to both myself and another patient there. This information is supposed to be kept confidential. The nurse never even looked at me as their back was turned so I do not believe that it was the promised update. In addition they are probably about 10 years younger than me so to refer to me indirectly as young lady came across as patronising and insensitive.

To get me to use this department again will involve two things - the use of force to get me there and keep me there or for me to be out for the count and unable to object.