My husband was sent to North Staffs A&E in an ambulance due to the severity of his stomach pains that had become increasingly worse over 3 days. At this point i was extremely concerned as he's not the type of person to moan or even show that he's suffering. So when he is literally panting, bowled over and in screaming agony i become very worried! After travelling to meet him in A&E, we were waiting in a small crowded waiting room with people being sick regularly for over 3 hours. I then decided to ask how much longer we had to wait and was made to feel like i was irrelevant and i shouldn't be interrupting their personal conversations. So as they carried on laughing and joking he then decided to say 'oh he's next'. 30 minutes pass and we are moved to a cubicle, to then wait a further 35 minutes to even see a doctor! As we had been there for a while and extremely uncomfortable, i needed to visit the ladies room. I can't believe i even dared to attempt to ask the desk in BAY A where they are located. I walked to the desk and was quickly looked at, and then both staff put their heads down and carried on talking whilst i was right in front of them. I waited and waited for at least an acknowledgement, and after 2 mins of not even a 'please bare with me' i stormed off saying 'i'll find them myself'. The doctor decided to turn up eventually to have a quick chat with my husband to tell him that he could have a couple of 'serious' problems but to just go home and take some medication, then see his GP for referral for tests. The doctor did not even touch him, check him over, do any tests and somehow they had x-ray vision and could see exactly what was going on in his stomach! As they saw that we were dissatisfied, they said 'i'll get someone to do an ECG'. Correct me if i'm wrong but isn't that to monitor the heart? Nothing to do with the stomach! As my husband said that he had wasted 4 hours in the most uncomfortably cramped waiting room, the doctor obviously felt that they had to quickly do something, anything, to attempt to show that we hadn't wasted our time! This is exactly why so many people refuse to seek treatment or help, as this is how you get treated! Like a dog! Sorry that's an insult to dogs though really! To conclude, he is no better and has no idea why he is suffering but refuses to even get help as now he feels that it's pointless! Thanks North Staffs, my husband now may have something serious now or in the future and he won't turn for help due to the poor service received! Very disappointing!
"Avoid if you don't want to feel invisible and..."
About: Royal Stoke University Hospital Royal Stoke University Hospital Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG
Posted via nhs.uk
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