"a proper nightmare with just a couple of redeeming..."

My GP asked for me to attend for an urgent MRI due to sudden loss of use of legs. I phone A and E in advance to let them know and was told not to bother coming as the scanner was shut for the day so they ' wouldn't do anything'. I went the next morning hoping to catch them at a better time. I was told that I could have a scan at 5 and to go home in the meantime - although I was there alone and home was 10 miles away! On arrival that afternoon the A and E receptionist directed me to go to X ray for a scan. I could only walk a few steps but no assistance was given. On arrival at x ray I was told there was a temporary scanner in use and that I would need to make my way there. It was the other side of the hospital! I told the receptionist I couldn't walk and she said she was on her own and it was ' nothing to do with her'. She got someone to give me directions. I got lost and ended up on a ward. The staff there were fab and we're horrified I had been sent on foot in that state. MRI staff were also great and told me I could have come the night before as they opened until 9. The A and E staff had misinformed us. The A and E doc was lovely but advised me that something was clearly very wrong and that I needed a neurology referral - then told me to arrange it through my GP. I'm guessing that was about budgets. My GP tried to get the referral but was told the earliest they could see me was in about 5 weeks time so is now sending me to a private hospital instead. Summary: Internal communications: terrible Admin staff: misinformed / uncaring and taking decisions that impact patient care Doctors: Great but limited by what appears to be budget constraints that push patients back to GP Overall: Really needs sorting out. I deliberately timed my visit to avoid arriving at a busy time. The overall experience was pretty poor and left my poor GP picking up the pieces.