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"Dotor completely didn’t take my symptoms seriously"

About: Newham General Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

One eve in December Suddenly became unwell, had developed a high fever and shaking chills and extremely rapid heartbeat and very bad muscle pain everywhere   - couldn’t move from my bed, when I managed to 2 hours later my oral temp was 38.7c and my heart was beating out of my chest. I called the ambulance, upon arrival they immediately just said you made your fever worse by getting under a blanket, completely didn’t even think of sepsis or anything , did a heart trace and confirmed my heartbeat was still very rapid even when sitting down much above 100 and took my temp and confirmed I had a fever. My brother was with me at the time , we were both appalled at the flippant attitude despite the severity of how unwell I was - I have never used an ambulance. 

 I also have a highly accurate polar ignite sports watch which showed my pulse as rising to 160+ . They then focused on this and said I was anxious because I saw my heartbeat rising - I was in bed in the dark and didn’t even have my watch on so how could I have seen my heartbeat rising?! Absolutely disgraceful response. 

I was then taken to Newham general- I didn’t Even see a nurse until 5 hours later, no pain relief administered, nothing . No blood tests done, I’d had a bit of a cough for several days and the doctor did not even check me with a stethoscope . Nothing except an ecg 6 hours later. Simply said it’s probably viral and have paracetamol. 

I went to my GP as I felt quite breathless a couple of weeks later and getting out of breast easily with rapid heartbeat and palpitations  - she actually listened to my chest and heard crackling, prescribed antibiotics. Finished the course but still very fatigued . Told I just need to take it easy and get back to normal - the fatigue in my legs worsened in January after I went up two flights of stairs in my home  . Went to a&e again the next day on the advice of my GP,  the a&e doctor completely didn’t take my symptoms seriously , my previous visit was recorded as earache?! I had facial pain and ear pain but the main issue was the high fever, shaking chills and rapid heartbeat . The a&e doctor asked if I’m unmotivated - unbelievable . 

I’m still getting a rapid heartbeat and palpitations on even minimal exertion, also nausea since Sunday.  My legs are extremely fatigued and even more so today. I am trying to get back to my usual activities but it is impossible with this level of fatigue . 

A rest ECG was done and I’m not even sure what blood tests. There was no neurological exam done , nothing to check this extreme muscle fatigue, and not even a chest x-ray. 

Absolutely dire attitude and care towards me

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Responses

Response from Newham General Hospital 4 years ago
Newham General Hospital
Submitted on 09/01/2020 at 08:28
Published on nhs.uk at 09:06


Dear TeaRex

Thank you for taking the time to contact us again with further information with regards to your care. As advised previously, we would welcome the opportunity to investigate the issues you have raised and would like to request that you contact our PALS Team on site with your details- nuhpals.bartshealth@nhs.net or telephone 0207 363 9292

Kind regards

Barts Health NHS Trust

Central Complaints Team

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