I went to A&E today after some deliberation over what to do with my acute foot pain. During my site seeing holiday in Barcelona, I was doing a lot of walking, and maybe wasn't wearing appropriate footwear. I woke up on our second day unable to walk due to excruciating pain in my right foot- this obviously made me frustrated as I wanted to explore the city. After talking to my GP mum (who has never really been sympathetic to ailments or illness!) we decided that I would see how it was when I returned to England, and if it was no better I would go to A&E at the MRI. I was seen very quickly by a triage nurse, and then waited a further 2 hours to see, what I thought would be, a doctor. (This review is not about waiting times- I understand that the NHS and A&E are under massive pressures at the moment). I was then taken through to another waiting room, where I was called in to see a Nurse. She didn't listen to me at all, and asked me questions that I had already answered in my explanation. She examined my foot and said there was nothing wrong with it. Myself and my mum suspected a Stress Fracture in my foot, and the nurse basically told me that I was wasting NHS and A&E time and that even if it is a stress fracture they will not X-ray my foot on A&E time. You can rarely notice stress fractures on X-rays (apparently it takes an mri scan or for scan), so it is highly unlikely that it can be detected by touch. I can hardly walk on my foot without horrible amounts of pain, and I didn't even get to see a doctor- who I am sure would have been a better communicator and better at listening and understanding of my pain. The nurse was so rude and talked to me like I was stupid. I can't believe how patronising and condescending she was towards me. I am not happy, and still in a huge amount of pain. Not good enough. I now don't know what to do- I am on a course for the next 4 weeks, and will have to be on my feet all day. If it is a stress fracture this will do my foot no good, and I don't have anything to support it. I was sent away feeling belittled, and told to rest for 2 weeks, and if it's not better I am to see my gp- what are people meant to do... Take weeks off work? Not happy.
"Treated badly"
About: Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester M13 9WL
Posted via nhs.uk
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