I used Barnet A&E on 30/31 December 2019.I had a general feeling of illness which ended up with very painful chest and back pain and laboured breathing which worried me because of my existing heart disease.The ambulance crew were great,arrived quickly,did tests,made me feel reassured about what was happening and that I’d done the right thing calling,then suggested I go with them to A&E for further tests.However the first person I encountered at the hospital was a nurse whose first words to me weren’t how was I feeling or what had brought me there.His were actually where I’d come from and on answering he said I could have used a different transport mode.I asked if he meant a bus because I had very bad chest pain and was walking with difficulty, he then suggested a car and at around midnight I wouldn’t have had anyone to ask.Then he suggested a cab not considering that not everyone wants to get in a car with a stranger driver when they feel unwell.Also not all can afford.I also felt that if my situation hadn’t warranted an ambulance they either wouldn’t have sent it or not encouraged me go to hospital with them.I was in terrible pain and called professionals because they are who you’re supposed to in those situations.My comments on his questions were replied with his job was to raise awareness but I was sure his job on a patient’s arrival was to do their observations and tests,not interrogate them on their transport method.He did then put a blood pressure monitor on me and it painfully automatically clamped my arm 3 times whilst he walked off not taking the reading,this was causing so much pain I had to remove it.After I reminded him I was there he came back and did it properly and then other observations. I then was sent off to wait and another nurse took some other observations including an ECG.It was now 2am and she told me the Dr would see me next.I waited but by 3 I queried this and she said they were very busy so I wondered why she had said I was next.I then waited another 2 hours to 5am to see the Dr.She seemed thorough except at the end she went to sort out a CT scan to check I wasn’t bleeding internally,telling me to wait alone in the room and that she would only be a minute.An hour later she had not returned so I asked nurses outside if they knew where she was,they didn’t,nor do I think they knew I was in the room.After now being alone there for over 6 hours I’d had enough and told a nurse I was leaving.She wasn’t bothered.I rarely use your A&E but every time it's a nightmare,mostly because of what chaos it has become but also the apparent lack of caring in most of the staff.Whilst writing this review I have received a 'Courtesy Call' from your trust about my experience which I would not take part in because giving my details to a stranger who calls me on a unknown number sounds like number one in how to get scammed.If it is genuine you would be better putting money into your on the ground resources than a call centre PR exercise.
"'Caring' has definitely left the caring profession"
About: Barnet Hospital Barnet Hospital Barnet EN5 3DJ
Posted via nhs.uk
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