"The whole system needs to be revised"

Who made the decision that I should be kept in hospital?

I was referred by a GP, with a letter, to go to the hospital for an MRI . I arrived in the early evening hoping to have the examination and then go home. After unnecessary tests eg wires for an ECG not given, which left me removing the attachments to save further skin damage ,as I am allergic to plaster, I was asked to be seated. A five hour wait followed but ,being a person with an active mind I set myself a 'Time and Motion study' on the number of people passing and re-passing me . I was aghast to find the number 301 passed in an hour ,but no one took any notice of me . I was sitting silently staring into space . Being patient I finally asked when would I be given the MRI and said I would be complaining The time was now after 3 am. In my opinion the system in use at this hospital is not fit for the purpose, to use a cliche.

The staff member told me to be calm! I was then moved and had the examination I was sent for after 4am. I wanted to go home by taxi, but was instead given a bed in a mixed ward. The doctors wanted to do a lumbar puncture in this mixed ward, but I refused as I strongly believe in Patient /Doctor privacy. I was so surprised to learn that a treatment room was unavailable, so test was delayed  in order that the doctor could find a room since  I persisted in my wish for privacy. For this to happen in a supposedly modern hospital is a scandal.

The next day I was then moved to another ward. I strongly object to the categorisation of patients according to age. I am almost 85 but fully mobile and 'compos mentis', I needed to obtain a voucher for my mobile phone, a neighbour  brought a change of clothes etc for me. When I walked along the corridor and attempted to go to the shop, staff blocked my movements, standing in front, on both sides of me and behind me saying I could not go where I wanted. I told them I am not in prison nor am I a prisoner. It had been presumed I was a wandering dementia patient. Being kept in hospital against my will when I didn't need a bed and would be able to return for any recommended further treatment is a policy which I feel must be changed.  When a mentally ill patient is detained, the hospital has to have the person sectioned. I believe the policy of categorising by age should acquire the consent of the patient. Had I had my diary with me I would have phoned my solicitor to get me out of the hospital. 

I felt that my only means to express my loss of freedom was to abstain from eating anything - but nobody noticed! Is this caring? I informed the doctor before I left of my actions as some poor patient could go without food with a detrimental outcome. Let me finish by saying I did meet many caring staff. But I feel that the whole system needs to be revised. They could operate a far better system to do away with interminable waits, and stop assuming that older people are all dementia cases.