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Unhelpful visit to A&E with long wait

Posted By Biggyinn

"Unhelpful visit to A&E with long wait"

About: University Hospital Hairmyres / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

My sister was diagnosed with emphysema has had rapid weight loss, sickness, shortness of breath and has collapsed a few times. She is in constant pain while still trying to do her job as a carer in a nursing home.

Her GP has been more or less useless. There has been no urgency in a referral regarding consultation and it takes sometimes 2 weeks to be considered for a telephone consultation.

Due to this, my sister went to A & E at Hairmyres as she was unable to sleep due to constant pain in her arms, back and legs over the course of the weekend from Friday. She arrived at 7pm on a recent evening, saw a nurse at 8:40 pm but didn't see an actual doctor until 04:20 the next morning.

There was no water available. This is a basic human essential even the most basic, if needs not addressed. To top it off she was informed by the doctor "its too early in the morning to do anything" and they will contact her GP - the same who takes up to 2 weeks to think if she'll even get a telephone consultation.

She was given pain killers and sent home, got home at about 5:30am. This is a disgrace.

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Responses

Response from Carol Miller, Senior Nurse, Surgical and Critical Care, University Hospital Hairmyres 2 years ago
Carol Miller
Senior Nurse, Surgical and Critical Care,
University Hospital Hairmyres

Submitted on 29/03/2022 at 17:07
Published on Care Opinion at 17:07

picture of Carol Miller

Dear Biggyinn

I was sorry to read the care your sister received during her recent visit to the Emergency department at Hairmyres hospital did not meet expectations.

We are unfortunately experiencing very high numbers of patients attending the department at present which is consequently leading to our patients having excessively long waits to be reviewed. I apologise that this was the case for your sister.

I also apologise for that she was not given any water. Staff have access to a water cooler in the main department for our patients. I'm sorry if this was not offered.

I hope this finds your sister feeling better but would ask If you wish to discuss her experience further then please contact Patient Affairs on 01355 585325

Kind Regards

Carol

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

Update posted by Biggyinn (a relative)

Hello Carol.

1stly thank you for the reply

I have passed this information on to my sister... over a week has passed and still no further contact in spite of her GP being informed ... the drama continues ...

I appreciate you are extremely busy and time is valuable so again thanks

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