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cannula

Posted By hospitalavoider

"cannula"

About: Croydon University Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as a service user),

Iwent to A and E with winter virus. I knew it would need a blood test, but not a cannula. I am terrified of them. I had never had one. The nurse insisted on putting one in as I was dehydrated, but perfectly able to drink (no vomiting). She secured my arm so I could not move it while she worked. she did not use numbing gel despite my distress. It made the phobia worse. It was painful and uncomfortable. They would not remove it. I have since avoided hospitals and refused surgery as I know I may wake up with a cannula in my arm. I know how to remove one now (I googled it). If the nurse had listened and observed the body language, she would have let me drink instead. I will not attend A and E while conscious now and pray that nothing happens to me. I have no faith in medicine in any shape or form since this needless use of IV.

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Responses

Response from Hilary Frayne, Head of Nursing for the Emergency Department, Croydon Health Services 3 years ago
Hilary Frayne
Head of Nursing for the Emergency Department,
Croydon Health Services

Submitted on 22/06/2020 at 17:20
Published on Care Opinion at 17:20

I am so sorry that you didn't have a good experience when you came to the Emergency Department (ED). I hope you feel better soon.

Would you like to contact me directly via hilary.frayne@nhs.net so I can investigate the circumstances? I am sure there are lessons we can learn.

Best wishes

Hilary Frayne, Head of Nursing ED

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by hospitalavoider (a service user)

It was a long time ago 2 years. The only lesson for hospital to learn is if someone says no, is there another way. If not use topical anaesthetic and remove it once fluids through not at discharge. My lesson is do not have fluids IV or medication blood tests, vaccinations safe in the knowledge that I have the right to refuse and do not have to trust 'it will make you feel better' from nurses who have no idea how a needle will make me feel. I would rather accept the consequences of refusal than trust and have no intention of seeking phobia therapy. Too late-even the thought of therapy causes me to panic.

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