I am writing this on behalf of an elderly relative who was in a and e because of confusion and distress. We waited four hours for a doctor which is acceptable in this environment. The doctor was polite and respectful towards me and my relative on the whole but when asked for assistance to go to the toilet the doctor ignored this request initially and then stated this situation ' was not his territory'. My relative was distressed and confused but certain he wanted to go to the toilet. He has a lung disease and is quickly fatigued after movement. My relative had to walk alongside the doctor to a reception area where he had to stand and wait for assistance. I feel that he was not treated with dignity and respect at this point. After his return my relative wanted to get back onto the trolley in the a and e bay. The doctor said this also was not his territory and requested that his relatives should assist him onto the trolley. We were happy to do this but disappointed with the doctor's attitude. On a positive note, the doctor listed to my view that my relative was ill enough to warrant admission onto a ward which was fortunate because the following morning he was diagnosed with a potentially serious condition. My relative had been discharged earlier the same day after being informed that he was not going to receive a blood test that had been planned to take place before the decision to discharge. I just wonder if the blood test would have revealed the condition and the distress of being discharged and going back to A and E the same day could have been avoided.
"Doctor 'above' assisting physical needs of patient..."
About: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Birmingham B15 2WB
Posted via nhs.uk
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