"ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY A DISASTER"

I was referred to the hospital by my GP who arranged my admittance to Sunderland General via the Emergency department. However as a seriously disabled adult who can no longer sit down due to complications after surgery three years ago and can only stand for a few minutes due to a severely degenerated spine I was left unable to sit or stand as they said they had no facilities available for my disablities.. Accident and emergency were given my medical history in letter form from my GP and were also verbally told by my husband about needing to lie down as unable to sit or stand and we were told by reception staff that there was nothing they could do about it as they were busy. I was sent for triage by two nurses who knew about my condition as they had the letter and I explained my problems saying I was now in extreme pain but once again was told that they could do nothing. I tried to stand as long as I could and my husband asked several times for help for me to no avail eventually at the point of collapse I had to lie on the floor. Several members of staff walked past me and never even checked I was ok even though I was crying in severe pain and one even asked me to move and when she was told I could not due to medical issues and my disabilities. This staff member said she would advise others that I needed a bed or a trolley to lie on but nothing was done to help me.

After lying on the floor for about two hours my husband saw a passing doctor and asked him for a word who was shocked to hear about what had happened and went to get me somewhere immediately. This showed that there was help available as I passed three empty rooms on the way to the room I was given to lie in awaiting the surgeons arrival to admit me. I was later transferred to wards D42 and then C31 for treatment which were completely different with fantastic understanding and caring staff who gave me all the help I need on a daily basis.

I await to see if I get a response from this review as I noticed it was only the good reviews that get a response. My husband has photographs of the situation I was in so it could not be denied. My husband contacted Patient Liaison staff who were shocked to hear the position I was put in and were going to look into the matter but we were eventually told that all they could do was send an email to all departments making them aware of the situation I was placed in and put it in my notes what had happened to me.

This hospital clearly failed me in the Emergency Department. A duty of care is supposed to be given in every hospital and this was totally missing in my case with nobody to help me and nowhere to go for help other than reception who clearly did nothing despite several requests for help.