"Waiting area A and E lacking glucose test and..."

I attended As instructed by my surgeon, day 4 following major facial reconstruction surgery after removal of skin cancer. I had a forehead skin graft flap cut down from my forehead stitched to the end of my nose, covered partially by very loose dressings. and dripping blood constantly. I had constipation From painkillers and he was worried the straining would affect the skin graft. I am Type II diabetic.

To keep the attached skin flap alive it was necessary to apply gels every few hours to stop it drying out. I was in severe pain because as we discovered later I was reacting to the gel. The triage nurse appeared most unsympathetic and Told my husband it would be several hours and to go away and fetch the gel.

He was then given a room to Redo my dressings in as the wait so long.

The only other option we were given was for us to go home re-do the dressings and come back and start the wait all over again. So this meant that I sat in the general waiting area for 2+ hours in full view of everyone that came and went

I was very concious of my hideous appearance and the fact that my husband had to leave me in order to go and fetch the necessary gel dressings I was extremely embarrassed especially with the blood running down my face. All I had was one sterile gauze that I had brought with me to wipe it with. The reason I marked down the cleanliness was that there was a used paper bowl with blood in it next to me the whole time. I found the whole experience distressing.

When my husband came back it was long after lunchtime and I told him I felt lightheaded. He immediately informed staff who asked me if I had brought my blood glucose testing equipment with me. (Of course testing is in my opinion wrongly discouraged in Type II diabetes by the NHS, but Sometimes I do test). They then informed me that they had no way of testing my blood sugar in A&E waiting area but they did provide me with something to eat for which I was most grateful.I eventually got taken through to see the Doctor who sorted out an enema and suppositories for me.

I really want to say that the doctor and nurse in that part of the department were absolutely wonderful.

It is wrong that there was no blood glucose testing facility available for those waiting whether they were the patient or the supporting cast. An accident waiting to happen.

Given that I had recently had major surgery it should’ve been realised that this could affect my glucose levels and a test done. Also

I think that I could have been treated with a little more dignity and respect as I could feel and hear peoples horrified reactions to my appearance.

As it was I tried to hide away at the end of the waiting area, and could not see staff as my glasses are forbidden due to pedicle risk. No one asked if I had problems communicating. I also think the urgency of dressing my skin pedicle was totally dismissed and should have been taken into consideration when deciding my waiting time it could have dried and died