"The worst NHS experience I have ever had"

I was unlucky enough to become very poorly on a Sunday. I was referred to the new Cramlington hospital by an out of hours primary care GP who said I needed to stay in hospital and be treated. My husband got me to Cramlington hospital but I did not make it as far as receiving any treatment.

I was sent to the A and E waiting area where there were maybe 3 people waiting to be seen but told I had to face a 3 hour wait.

It took my husband a good 10 to 15 minutes to get me booked in even with a letter from the GP who had just sent me there.

The A and E waiting area is facing towards the exit and around a corner from reception. No one could see me suffering in the waiting area. I was not even offered a tissue to wipe my tears or the vomit from my face.

The toilet doors are so heavy I got trapped in them and was released by a little old lady.

My husband went to speak to the person on reception and tried to explain that I was in so much pain and discomfort that I could not sit in the waiting room for 3 hours. The response was "she will just have to wait her turn". It very much felt like no one cared at all about my condition.

I eventually was so distressed and in so much pain that my husband gave in to my begging for him to take me home. No one cared.

The whole experience was a nightmare. I would not send anyone to that place ever again.

The RVI is excellent. Go there and save yourself the distress.