"Grantham A&E"

I recently made my very first visit to A&E.

My hearing had been rapidly deteriorating over the space of a week. Naturally I was very concerned about the speed with which it was fading, especially after being told by the Triage Nurse at my doctor's surgery that my ears were clear.

The doctor in A&E called me through to the examination room and as I entered the room they commented that they didn't know why I was there as there was nothing they could do for me. they told me I needed to see my own GP as I probably needed to be referred. I mentioned my fear about losing my hearing and my concerns that at the rate my hearing was diminishing I would be completely deaf within the next few days. The doctor was totally uninterested about my fears and reiterated that I needed to see a GP. They advised me that Grantham Hospital had a walk in clinic and suggested I visit that evening then proceeded to tell me that it was probably pointless me attending the walk in clinic.

I had confirmed to the Triage Nurse that I was suffering from dizziness but the doctor commented that I'd walked into the examination room without any problem, which I thought was a crass comment. Clearly this doctor felt I was wasting their time and hospital resources. The same resources that I make regular contributions towards as a tax payer. Before leaving they said they would look in my ears. I felt this was unnecessary as his colleague (the Triage Nurse) had already done so. They insisted and said everything looked fine. Having had my ears checked on three different occasions I can only say the examination that they then carried out was painful.

I eventually managed to see my GP. He could see the problem immediately as my eardrums were bulging due to the amount of fluid behind the eardrums, they confirmed that from my symptoms that I had Labyrinthitis which was causing the vertigo and he reassured me that my hearing would return to normal. He also put me on medication.

I don't know how the A&E doctor felt my ears were clear when some 6 hours later it was confirmed that my eardrums were bulging due to fluid.

I know doctors, nurse and hospitals in general are very busy but I hope I do my job with more empathy than I received from the doctor in Grantham A&E.