"Treatment in a and e and starting from the 8th..."

A and E on Thursday 8th Feb 2018 triage nurse didn’t want to look at the wound - insect bite whist in India . I was seen and told I needed to give the antibiotics time to work that I had been given by my gp surgery the day before. My gp surgery had told me to go to hospital if my symptoms didn’t improve- or worsened - photo evidence and mark around the wound showed infection.

I was following instructions and not just walking in to A and E to try fast track my treatment. . I didn’t feel I was treated very well by some members of the staff in the department. My wound dressing was peeled back by a dr and she looked at it and put the same dressing put back on.... I was told to give - antibiotics 3 days. The dr did say we might change the antibiotics,or might increase the ones I was taking but I needed to be patient ... I felt like I was a time waster.

I was told to come back It got worse...... Friday abscess was draining pus and blood and very painful. Saturday morning very wound black and swollen I called 111 -9am appointment given at 14,00 to attend outpatients gp .at 19:00 hours. Saw Gp told back to A and E - back waiting for doctor and uncomfortable chairs with a sore infected thigh.

From the treatment on the 8th I really didn’t want to go into the department. I had iv antibiotics and left at approx 12.30am - staff on duty much more friendly and I felt I was treated with dignity and respect...not like the Thursday . I had to return for antibiotics the next day at 9am ..... again I waited and waited and after 1.5 hours i asked reception if there was a problem - I think I was forgotten... I did get my iv antibiotics after four hours

I asked I if my abscess would be looked at or redressed and the nurse just gave me a handful of dry dressings- do it yourself service it felt like. . Monday 9 am better in and out in an hour-at AandE no treatment to wound. Tuesday spent another long morning in A and E - told I would need surgery....... so nil by mouth on the Wednesday. Given a box of dressings by dr on the Tuesday - nil by mouth from on wed from 2am . Managed to get a Lift from home address to hospital- told op. might not be done but as I had not been called I thought I would have the op.

I was upset 11 am I asked reception at A and E if or where would I have my op?.. they didn’t know so I decided to wait.

An hour later I tried to call the hospital using my mobile to be redirected to A and E ... so I decided to ask the reception again asked If I could talk to the dr in the department the day before.... well you Would have thought I had asked for the imposible and by this time my thigh was really painful - no food or drink . I gave up and walk to the

Pals team - thank you to one particular staff member and the dr who came and spoke to me, A break down in communication.......sorry - consultant called that evening and apology accepted . Two more mornings nil by mouth but cancelled - operation on th Friday - my week from hell. Please remember I am a person.