"Never Again"

Arrived at 0900 for angioplasty, told at 1330 that I was next in the queue, then told at 5pm that the op was cancelled.

Said I'd go home & have the op done privately, wish I had done so.

Next, I was told the op could be done at 2pm the next day, I said no, this was not possible for domestic reasons.

Finally the procedure took place approx 6pm.

I was refused pain relief, which I feel was out of spite as I'd complained about the delay, left screaming in agony and handled roughly, resulting in damage to my arm.

Arm swelled up and extreme pressure was applied, then tight bands were strapped on & my arm was put into a sling, which was hung vertically from a hook.

I spent 9pm to 4 am sitting upright with the arm suspended like a piece of meat in the butcher's.

No food whatsoever was offered to me (I'd not eaten since 6am) and no pain relief until, on 2nd request, I got 2 panadol tablets at about 730 the next morning.

Later a more helpful nurse got me some codeine.

No towel or clean gown, unable to wash or do anything other than brush teeth in a lavatory washbasin.

No private facilities on the ward, and usage of mixed sex facilities on the corridor was demeaning, particularly for a male patient who was wheeled half naked into the lavatory.

Worse than prison conditions - at least prisoners get fed & can have a wash.

Mistake with hospital transport meant I had to pay £20 for a taxi home.

6 days later my arm is severely bruised, swollen and I have only partial use of it.

I still feel dizzy and exhausted from lack of sleep.

I remain shocked at the inhumane way in which I was dealt with (won't say "treated" ).

Harefield was, for me, the hospital from Hell.