"Wasn't made to feel like a time-waster!"

After sustaining a dog bite during the day which caused my hand to swell off I was ignoring all advice to get it treated. When my daughter returned home at 11.30pm she insisted that she take me to A&E to have it looked at. I was still protesting that it was a waste of NHS time and resources as she dragged me from the house.

We arrived at midnight (with me still feeling like a fraud - I mean - it was only a small bite, even if my hand had swelled to twice it's usual size, I was in great pain and couldn't move my fingers!

It was empty when we arrived and within 30 minutes I had been seen by staff, x-rayed to check for broken bones, given a tetanus injection and a prescription for antibiotics and we were sent on our way.

I apologised for wasting the staff's time but they assured me that this wasn't the case and told me not to be so silly!

For someone who avoids hospitals and even a trip to the doctors where possible I can honestly say that this was a great relief.

Thank you very much!