"Sent to A&E by my GP, not my choice!"

I rang my GP's surgery for advice, for an eye problem, the Doctor on duty rang back, and advised me to attend A&E. They rang back 10minutes later & asked if I needed an ambulance. as they were that concerned. My reply was no thank you, have a wheelchair, & my partner & I will get a taxi; which hospital should I attend? Leeds General Infirmary. Unfortunately I didn't have a letter to take with me as it was telephone advice.

We arrived at LGI at 10am, & registered, the receptionist was very pleasant & helpful, details were taken, & they decided I should be seen in Minors first, but the Eye Clinic is at SJUH!

Was triaged in Minors within half an hour, history & BP were taken, then was sent into Majors. In Majors an ECG was done, BP checked again, very pleasant staff & a third year Student Nurse; then into a cubicle ready to be seen.

The Nurse Practitioner came in to take details & history, they then proceeded to do a very thorough neurological assessment, & check my blood pressure again; then went to discuss with her Consultant.

A short time later they returned with the Brain Team", two pleasant staff, fortunately they had a sense of humour!

I had to describe again what was wrong with my eye & vision, eventually they managed to get a squint. Then it was decided to send me to CT for a scan, this was about 12:30 hrs.

The Radiographers were waiting, & the CT Scan was done quite quickly, then back to A&E.

Not too long to wait before the Nurse Practitioner came in to say that they had arranged for an appointment at 9am the next day at SJUH, Eye Clinic, my BP was taken again, & was quite high; ; but first of all my scan would be reviewed by a Radiologist, so I had to go to a Ward to wait.

This was the worst part, sat waiting along with others with no movement.

After an hour waiting, I asked what was happening?

The scan had been reported on so the Nurse Practitioner was called. A short time later they came to see me & explained what the scan had shown, that there is evidence of a CVA in the past, but nothing new!

So again I was told about the Eye Clinic Appointment, & was given a feedback form , to be handed in at Reception,, & was free to leave.

Relief, we were thirsty & hungry, & so pleased to go home, despite the very good care I had had.

As a retired A&E Sister I think I can say this, very good care, treated like a human, with a sense of humour when required. Sorry I had to attend, but better care than at SJUH A&E in February & that included full history from the Nurse Practitioner at GP's Surgery.