This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Very upset by paramedics and then A@E staff

Posted By Agony granny

"Very upset by paramedics and then A@E staff"

About: Scottish Ambulance Service Stirling Royal Infirmary / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

Was admitted to FVH with chest and breathing problems. I was there for 3 days and had to return a couple of weeks later for a follow up Sonar as I was found to have acute Pericarditis with effusion. Was very ill but was able to go home.

The staff and Consultant were wonderful and done an outstanding job.

However, my health has never been right since. Terrible chest pain, no appetite, sleeping and tired the whole time. Went to GP but no better. Eventually, after a nightmare 4 weeks of agony woke up on with the worst headache ever. This was in the early hours of the morning but I waited until around 4 and half hours when I phoned for an Ambulance.

The attitude of one of the Paramedics I felt was shocking and I never felt so humiliated in my life. By the way this was the first time I had phoned for an ambulance in my life. Being asked why I phoned for a headache and didn't go to the GP.

I felt I had the same treatment at the A@E where I felt I was made to feel as though I had done something wrong. I was told I was just depressed which I'm not. This was said to me because I started crying.

This is really shocking when someone is so ill and will be reluctant to go to fvh ever again.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Sharon Hammell, Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement, Scottish Ambulance Service 9 years ago
Sharon Hammell
Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement,
Scottish Ambulance Service

I am responsible for the development and implementation of the Scottish Ambulance Service's communications strategy: this includes staff communications as well as external audiences, including PFPI and media management.

Submitted on 12/08/2014 at 17:59
Published on Care Opinion at 18:37

Dear Agony Granny

I am really sorry to read about how ill you have been, and that you're still not yourself. I'm also really sorry that one the ambulance crew who came out to you made you feel humiliated, especially when you waited for four and half hours before deciding that you needed to call for help. I hope that this won't discourage you from calling for an ambulance, should you experience another emergency.

I would be happy to follow this up for you. You can make a complaint, or we can log your feedback in a less formal way as a concern, and one of our local managers will ring you to talk about what happened. You can do this by going to our feedback page on our website at:

http://www.scottishambulance.com/TheService/feedback.aspx

Or, if you don't want to do this, by all means keep me up to date with another post on Patient Opinion.

I hope you feel better soon.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Glynis Fotheringham, Senior Charge Nurse , Emergency Department FVRH and MIU in SCH, ForthValley 9 years ago
Glynis Fotheringham
Senior Charge Nurse , Emergency Department FVRH and MIU in SCH,
ForthValley

I am responsible for the day to day running of the Emergency Department and MIU in SCH

Submitted on 25/08/2014 at 13:28
Published on Care Opinion at 15:58

Dera Agony Granny

I am also sorry you were made to feel this way and would encourage you to get in touch to allow me to look into this on your behalf.

You can contact me, Glynis, on glynis.fotheringham@nhs.net or telephone 01324 566116

I hope you are making a recovery now.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k