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"Refused care at casualty"

About: NHS 24 Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

I had torn a muscle in my calf and could not weight bear at all. I tried NHS 24 and was told by automated voice the waiting time was at least 1 and a half hours so  I went to accident and emergency at Queen Elizabeth hospital glasgow to try and get some help. There were 2 nurses standing at the door when I explained what happened and the pain I was in. One of them went off to see if there was a case? I stood for about 5 mins on one foot I wasn't offered a chair to sit on and the male nurse standing at the door ignored me. The other nurse came back and said I had torn a muscle go home and rest take paracetamol and come back tomorrow morning. I explained I need aid to walk as I could not stand on my foot. Yet again told to go home. When I turned away to go she asked my name and date of birth I said why do you need it you didn't need it for any case notes you were looking for. I also said you are not going to help me are you she just looked at me told her no thanks I'll see to it myself and left. I can't get to see my GP I can't get through they are constantly engaged and don't see patients. I called accident and emergency to complain and was told that is the way it is and when I asked if they see patients, the nurse got very cheeky and said too bad you'll not get seen here  when I asked her name she hung up. I then called NHS 24 and after a three way conversation I was told from a nurse via a call handler, 3 way conversation that I need to wait to see a GP if it got worse or I couldn't get around to call them back. I explained I couldn't walk on it at all and was hopping everywhere. She was told to tell me just lie down for the night and see someone tomorrow. I am very taken back at a telephone diagnosis through a call handler, not being allowed access to accident and emergency by two nurses who were in fact acting as bouncers and the cheeky manner if the nurse I complained to in the phone who wouldn't give me her name. I called accident and emergency this morning to get the managers number to write an email of complaint to and was told to come and get s complaint form I advised that I was not allowed access to a and e the nurse said she would make sure I would get access to get the form. I am now completely at a loss as how to get help and very upset I can access a and e for a complaint form and not for treatment 

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Responses

Response from Dawn Orr, Nurse Consultant - Telehealth and Telecare, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 3 years ago
Dawn Orr
Nurse Consultant - Telehealth and Telecare, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24
Submitted on 24/07/2020 at 14:15
Published on Care Opinion at 14:15


picture of Dawn Orr

Dear pyxissr48,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us to advise of your experience when contacting NHS 24. I am sorry to hear that your expeience was not what you expected. As you will appreciate all services are currently busier than normal due to the impact of COVID 19.

I am keen to explore your experience further, please can I ask you to contact patient.experience@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk with further details and we will get back to you.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Thanks again

Dawn

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Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 29/07/2020 at 09:08
Published on Care Opinion at 09:08


picture of Nicole McInally

Dear pyxissr48

Thank you for taking the time to share your story on Care Opinion.

I am sorry to read about your experience at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. During COVID-19, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has had to change the way we work in all areas of healthcare.

At the onset to the Covid 19 pandemic a streaming process was introduced at the entrance to our Emergency Departments. This allowed the staff to identify patients' on arrival that may have Covid symptoms and direct them to another area. We were also able to signpost patients that did not require emergency care to other services. Only patients who are emergencies will be seen in the Emergency Department and we are encouraging the general public through social media to only attend if this is the case. We are sorry if this was not properly explained to you at the time.

In response to your call to the department for help with your concern, we would have expected all staff to be courteous and helpful, I'm sorry this was not what you experienced. I have shared your post with the General Manager responsible for the Emergency Department who will share your story with the staff. If you would like to make a formal complaint you can contact the Complaints Department on: 0141 201 4500 or email: complaints@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde also has in place arrangements with Citizens Advice Scotland to provide a Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) for all NHS users. You can contact PASS via the National Citizens Advice Bureau on 0808 800 9060 or through your local Citizens Advice Bureau. www.cas.org.uk/patientadvice

Kind Regards

Nicole

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