"From negative to positive thanks to the Acute consultant at ERU."

I was transferred to the medical unit ERU Monklands, from the out of hours consultant at Airdrie. this was due to having Neurological symptoms /numbness as well as head and ear pain beyond my control following recent illness.

I arrived at accident and emergency and waited only 10-15 minutes before being transferred to the ERU. 10 minutes later I was seen by a nurse who took my initial obs. The nurse was very rude and abrupt, they categorically stated to me that they did not know why I came because I was not from the area and I should of waited to see my G. P. At this point I became upset and due to my symptoms my speech was not as accurate as usual. I said to him that I was confused as it was a G. P. that sent me to the hospital and it was not my choice and asked why she sent me if I was not going to receive help, to which I think they responded "Well she never told us you weren't from the area, if she did we would of told her, You will probably get a bed for the night and sent home in the morning" all while shaking their head.

I then started to cry and they walked away leaving me sitting in the chair in the bay next to the bed. I can understand that if I was rude or negative on arrival to the nurse then I may have been met by this form of response, however this is far from the case, in fact I was very compliant and sat quietly not making any fuss, and instead focused my attention on trying to ease my own symptoms. I then sat worried and anxious thinking that I was going to be refused treatment because I was from a different region.

Later I heard a nurse asking them what was happening with me from behind the curtain, to which they responded, we cant do anything with her because we dont know anything about her. Of course this left me feeling more worried about being there and like I was wasting staff time and hospital resources.

I plucked up the courage to ask what was happening and caught a passing nurse from another department, I asked her if I was waiting to be seen as I was worried that I was not going to be and I did not know what was happening, she went to ask the rude nurse, and returned to me saying that they said a senior doctor will be down when one becomes available, she then told me to go on the bed as the doctor would need to check me over anyway, so thank you to that nurse.

Eventually I was seen by a doctor who done a physical examination and said that they would take some bloods. They mentioned seeing a letter from my doctor to an endocrinologist and said I was waiting to see one, this confused me as the letter was sent earlier in the year and I had already seen them for a separate condition to which I informed the doctor, who looked at me cautiously and proceeded to tell me that the bloods might take a while and I would be seen during doctors rounds in the morning. This is understandable as results dont happen immediately nor would I expect them to. Nurses then were very efficient in taking bloods, obs and ecg.

In the morning I was seen by the acute consultant at the ERU. I cannot remember his name, however he completely turned my experience around to be somewhat positive. He was very efficient and understanding taking the time to discuss and try to understand my symptoms, he knew that my case was somewhat difficult, However he worked tirelessly researching and to try and get me some assistance. He discussed his findings with me and narrowed down some causes explaining these with me throughout the day. I then had some further tests and mri remaining in hospital until lunchtime the next day. I would like to thank this consultant for His work and making me feel like I was valued. He is truly an asset to the NHS and in particular patient communication and dedication to his role.

After the mri, I was sent to a bed in a different room until my discharge and was cared for thoroughly by staff and nurses in this area, they worked very hard considering how busy the department was, and they made every effort to respond to patients including myself in a timely and efficient manner being courteous at all times as well as maintaining a sound level of morale. Thank you to all in this department, my compliments to your work and personalities.