"My experience in assessment unit"

I was taken by ambulance to Ayr Hospital. The paramedics were exemplary. When I arrived I was seen straight away by nurses who were also exemplary. Up until now all of these caring professionals were kind, helpful and reassuring.

I was taken to A and E and was told I would be moved when a bed became available. There were no beds available so I stayed in A and E all night long. I was there for over 12 hours. It was a dreadful night and I didn't sleep at all so was exhausted by morning. This was not the fault of any member of staff there, just circumstance.

A doctor saw me at 2am. They confirmed, as had everyone throughout the entire process, that there was an anomaly in my ECGs that indicated a possible previous/recent heart attack. The doctor said that I needed to see a cardiologist who would both scan the heart and perform a stress test. A cardiologist would also assess any relevant medication. 

They listened to my symptoms, not just the current ones, but everything that had led me to this point.

Early in the morning I was moved to Assessment, and stayed there without any communication until around 12.30 when a doctor came in to the cubicle. At around 11 I had asked a passing nurse for some information. I was shown some notes explaining that I was to be referred as an out patient for a heart scan and a treadmill test and that I would receive medication, including something to reduce cholesterol before being discharged.

When the doctor came in, it was clear they had not read my notes, knew nothing about my case, was not aware that I had been there all night as he thought I had just arrived. Wouldn't let me speak, told me they weren't interested in family history as regards heart disease, or anything else. Didn't know my cholesterol levels when I managed to ask. I felt this doctor was rude, aggressive, belligerent and dismissive. This made me feel guilty for being there. This staff member was in the cubicle for less than a minute, during which time, contradicted everything their colleagues had said. I asked about the heart scan that had been mentioned.  They replied that it was them who would make that decision, and that they were not interested in anyone else's opinion. I was told that there was nothing wrong with me, to get dressed and go.

I left feeling emotionally assaulted, very worried, confused and extremely upset. Given that at least 5 medical professionals had told me that there was a risk that I had already had a heart attack, after everything I'd been through, not just at the hospital but with my health generally I felt borderline suicidal when I left the unit.

I asked the name of the doctor and was reluctantly given a name. I enquired whether this person was a cardiologist and was told that they were not.
 

Whoever this person was, the experience completely destroyed me. Even if they were indeed correct and every single one of their colleagues wrong, the manner of this staff member is possibly the worst I've ever encountered. 

I felt that they dismissed me, and the opinion of colleagues and other hospital staff, as being lesser.