"Worst experience in my life"

I was referred by my GP in June, with suspected appendicitis. I arrived at the SAU, where I sat for 2 hours before being seen by a nurse. I had my bloods taken, temp checked etc & then sat in another waiting room for about 90 minutes or so. I then got called by the Doctor, who checked my tummy & confirmed suspected appendicitis (which we knew anyway) & stated I need an ultrasound scan. They told me it would be done that day or I would have to come back in the morning.

I sat in the waiting room still only allowed to sip water & eat nothing. I was still sat there over 3 hours later and I felt too exhausted to even move from my chair. I eventually spotted the Doctor who checked me out initially (it was now over 3 hours later). I couldn’t believe it, I asked them when I would be going for my ultrasound and they laughed & told me I wouldn't be going for one now, they’ve all gone home for the day. I asked what was happening & why has nothing been done. They then decided and told me I would need a review & told me to sit & wait for this to happen. I had only just sat down & got called by a surgeon for the review. They did exactly the same check as the other Doctor but now (as the ultrasound scan department had gone home) stated I needed a CT scan which could be done anytime during the night.

I was then told to sit yet again in the waiting room & only to sip water. Two hours later I was called by the nurse into a room, who stated I was being given a bed on ward 110 where I would be more comfy while I waited for a CT scan. I was taken to the ward after another hour…I was starving, in pain & completely exhausted. I was taken for my CT scan early the following morning to then be told I still also now had to wait for an ultrasound, and only allowed to sip water.

I really could not believe the ordeal & my husband at home who wasn’t allowed to be with me, was so very very worried.

The Consultant came to me after another three hours and told me that my appendix was fine so no surgery needed. They didn’t explain the tenderness I had in my tummy. They stated that there was something found on my left ovary & so I need further investigation & they still required an ultrasound scan, but at last I could finally eat something & have a cup of tea. What a trauma it had all been & all because of the very poor handling of it all. Well that’s not it… by the afternoon I was still sat occupying a bed whilst still waiting for the ultrasound scan. I contacted my husband & asked him to come in, he couldn’t believe how I had been treated. I was absolutely drained. He requested to the senior nurse that he wanted some answers & needed to know when I’ll be getting my scan. They said they knew no more & that they would contact the consultant. They came then & told us that the consultant was coming to talk to us…they didn’t. Later in the afternoon a Doctor came to talk to us, they said they had spoken to the consultant & that no ultrasound was required. None of it makes sense, so why oh why am I taking up a bed for no reason whatsoever. Suddenly the problem found on the CT scan no longer exists & I can go home, still with the same problem I was admitted with. I really cannot believe what I have experienced & never ever want to be put through the ordeal ever again in my whole life, I have never ever experienced anything so bad. I’m very angry, very angry indeed.