"Made me feel more of a hindrance"

A few months ago I was sent to the a& e department within the QEUH by a staff member in my workplace due to a suspected antibiotic reaction. Upon arrival I was seen by a nurse who did not introduce themself and I felt had a very poor attitude. The way I was spoken to made me feel more of a hindrance than anything. I explained my situation and the response was, “and why did you think you should come here?" I was repeatedly asked this question and I explained that I was sent by a senior member of staff, and a doctor, in my workplace who were concerned about my symptoms. This seemed to be scoffed at.

It was the nurse’s attitude more than anything that upset and shocked me as being in a care profession myself I would hate to think that any service user and/or their family is spoken to in this manner and made to feel the way I felt that day. I then was seen by a doctor and I cannot fault for their time and care. She ordered an ECG and having had 2 ECGs done in the past (which were extremely respectful and dignified) I thought I knew what to expect. The health care support worker came in and gave me a gown to put on with the open side to the front. I lay down on the bed and my entire chest was suddenly exposed which I was shocked at, and I felt was very undignified considering the staff who performed my previous ECGs made every effort to keep me covered up where able and appropriate. This made me feel very uncomfortable. I am disappointed that I had this poor experience and understand that staff across the NHS are working under pressure due to many factors on a daily basis, but we need to remember that high quality patient centred care should always be at the forefront of our role within the NHS.