"Visit to Hospital"

My 19 yr old daughter, living away from her Scottish home and currently residing in Heald Green, Stockport, called NHS111 suffering with severe leg pain (in both legs). She has recently been told she has sciatica but, with the pain worsening and with other symptoms presenting, called 111, scared and frightened. She was told by the call handler to go straight to A& E, which she duly did, on her own. Remember, she is alone, young and frightened.

She arrived at Stepping Hill, waited patiently whilst waiting to be seen, went through triage and was then seen by a nurse who, without any examination or without seeking advice, simply gave my daughter strong painkillers, telling her she shouldn’t be at A& E, basically calling her a time waster! My daughter left, still scared and frightened and in tremendous pain. She has previously suffered from ovarian cysts, though, as no examination / X-ray was undertaken, no further investigation was undertaken. What happens if these cysts have reappeared, what happens if they rupture? Her pain has continued, even with continued exercise and with strong painkillers, leaving her with no choice but to attend A& E once more, this time accompanied and this time seeking a thorough examination before she will leave!

I recognise that NHS services are under pressure but there is no excuse for not treating patients, young or old, strong or vulnerable with the respect they deserve. To let her leave the hospital without examination / explanation is not acceptable and goes no way to helping restore any faith we have with a once great service. Let’s hope whatever she is suffering with does not turn out to be something serious! ! !