"Life threatening condition left sitting in the waiting room"

Following a routing scope of knee joint last year, I was faced with a fearful and terrifying after effect - DVT and Pulmonary Embolis. From an active life filled with yoga, indoor hockey, badminton and walking every day, my life turned into immobile misery.

Knee pain put a stop to most activity, but worse still, the 'foot dragging' approach of our current NHS to finding a solution was embarrassingly painful.

Sent off to see an MSK specialist; a Physio posing as a Doctor. I found his response humiliating.  I declined the runabout up the corridor to 'make the pain happen'. He accepted that an MRI scan was the only option, but he claimed that he would have to say I forced him to give it to me, because it would use up all his budget.

This experience led me to research a knee specialist, book in for a private appointment and get a real over view of knee health. Hence the scope, to tidy up, remove the debris, revealing bare bone that had been worn over time. If only someone had listened in the first place it would not have taken almost 2 years to get this far!

Post scope, day 2, I had calf pain and problems breathing. My GP was with me in 10 minutes, we both knew what it looked like, he suggested that an Ambulance might be safer as they had oxygen, but agreed that they might not get there very quickly, so the 10 minute car ride would be the 'quick' option.

My GP said I wouldn't have to wait around, as the hospital were expecting me. I could go straight into the emergency area. However, there was no bed was waiting, no help available. I was unable to walk, and my husband could only search for a hospital chair to get me into the place. At which point he was asked to check me in as a routine walk in, and there it is, an hour and a half, feeling faint, seeing stars, sat amongst the walking wounded.

Triage did not appear worried, suggested that they would help me sooner if I collapsed, otherwise I was to wait my turn... Quite pleased I did not die out there with the sprains and bruises, but even as it worsened, not one member of staff appeared with reassurance, concern or consideration.

Once through the door, eventually, I was in CT within 10 mins, anti coagulated within 5 mins, then suddenly told quite gravely "You have multiple PE, we are going to have to keep a close eye on you" What a joke! 

Here to tell the tale, I remain saddened and disappointed. I did write to the trust but heard nothing back. It would not seem so bad if I were not a nurse, who had trained many years before in that very same hospital, when nursing care was really bloody good! Not one person apologised, not one person questioned good or bad care.