"Medical staff are amazing. A&E Receptionist,..."

I attended A&E on Sunday evening 20/8.

I thought the medical staff were amazing and treated me for a broken bone in my foot.

I was discharged with crutches and a supportive shoe; and an appointment at the fracture clinic this week.

However, with a dead phone, no cash or cards and a person that I could not contact I had no way of getting home at 10 o'clock at night, raining and a 12 mile journey.

Reception did allow me to ring my contact to collect me but there was no answer!

I was very very upset at this time - how to get home and needing to get home quickly to an elderly mother and a dog about to give birth!!

I tried the cab number in the hospital but because I had no cash on me they said they wouldn't take me.

I asked reception how do people admitted in an emergency get home - the receptionist simply replied it was my problem and that family or friends collect them. Hmm helpful.

I noticed the receptionist had a phone charger so asked - can I use the charger so I can call someone. No they said that's mine and it's coming home with me now. Hmm even more helpful.

I hung around outside for a while crying and considering walking on crutches or hitch hiking I was so upset. There was no way I could walk 12 miles on crutches.

I went back in and said please can you call a cab and the receptionist said well you said you haven't got cash - so no, we're not allowed. Even more helpful.

I said do I need to call the police to take me home? - they said they won't take you home.

The receptionist's colleague then encouraged them to call a cab.

Now, I am in no way destitute and in fact am quite comfortable but this receptionist treated me like some down and out (not that anybody should be treated that way) they were unhelpful, uncaring and generally didn't want to know.

The receptionist has let me down as a patient in need, them-self down and has, I'm sorry to say let your hospital down. Id be surprised if they would help someone on the street who was in need - just horrible.

So, can I suggest the hospital puts some procedure in place to help people who arrive in A&E with nothing.

- a phone charger point for emergencies

- a cab firm that takes cards (who carrys cash now?)

- hospital transport that can be paid the next day

It gave me a real understanding for an hour or so of how our society treats people in need.

I'm still so upset by this ordeal.