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Turned away by staff member after asked to attend

Posted By homamqj49

"Turned away by staff member after asked to attend"

About: Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust West Wales General Hospital / Ophthalmology

(as a service user),

I suffered headache, impaired vision , dizziness and unable to coordinate my left hand. Telephoned 111 emergency service who took my symptoms and suggested possible detached retina. Advised immediate visit to eye clinic at Glangwili. Telephoned clinic advised them of problem an was told to visit an optician. None open After 1pm on Saturday  but telephoned many in Llandeilo,Llandovery, Carmarthen  none available. Found specsavers in Ammanford who carried out tests and eye scan and advised me that I had a stroke. Sent me straight to hospital who confirmed that I had a stroke. If I had not been able to see an optician until after Christmas and did have a detached retina I would have possibly lost the sight in the eye, alternatively a stroke could have developed into something far more serious . Why turn away a patient when other medical practitioner had advised attendance immediately at the eye clinic?

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Responses

Response from Louise O'Connor, Assistant Director, Patient Experience, Hywel Dda University Health Board 6 years ago
Louise O'Connor
Assistant Director, Patient Experience,
Hywel Dda University Health Board

Submitted on 02/01/2018 at 10:07
Published on Care Opinion at 10:20

Thank you for advising us of your experience of contacting the Eye Clinic. I am very sorry to hear of your concerns and also to learn of your recent health care problems. We would like to discuss your experience with you and look into the concerns you have raised. If you would be happy to do so, our Patient Support Team can be contacted on 0300 0200 159 or on e-mail hdhbpatientsupportservices@wales.nhs.uk.

The information you have shared has been discussed with the Executive Director and Service Manager responsible for ophthalmology services.

Thank you once again for sharing your experience.


Louise O'Connor
Assistant Director (Patient Experience)
  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by homamqj49 (a service user)

Further to my recent correspondence I would like to advise you of further events.

When I attended A&E an experience which I have already advised of. My wife handed all my medical history to the receptionist who passed it on to the triage nurse called. The triage nurse's greeting was as follows:- you have been spending a lot of money at Sancta Maria and then asked about my symptoms. As I was dizzy and a little disorientated my wife started to provide them with details. They told her to to be quiet as they had directed their questions to me.

I have paid all my taxes for Over 50 years and feel I am entitled to use the NHS without receiving sarcastic comments because I chose to pay for private treatment. My use of private facilities helps reduce NHS costs, frees up bed space and staff time to deal with other patients. My actions help to relieve some of the pressure on your services not add to it. I did not feel that I was treated with respect.

Lastly I was glad to say that the rest of the doctors and staff treated me very well.

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