Woke up early morning with fast atrial fibrillation which makes me feel very bad. Have had this multiple times so I know the symptoms and that I need to call an ambulance. Ambulance crew were excellent - this is a good job because I spent the best part of four hours in the ambulance parked outside A&E as there was no room inside. After about four hours I was moved into the A&E corridor where I laid on a trolley for another 2 hours, maybe more. During this time my blood pressure was checked once. I never saw a doctor and received no treatment. The ambulance crew had taken bloods but whether they were tested, I don't know as there was absolutely zero communication.
My heart reset itself after about 6 hours, no thanks to A&E so I got up and told the nurse. She arranged (after some time) an ECG to confirm I was back in normal rhythm. Then I was sent to ambulatory care where I waited yet again to be seen by a doctor. I was eventually discharged. The whole process took many hours during which I could have been given simple treatment and freed up a bed(trolley). It would have required only a quick review and a drug to get my treatment underway, instead I was at risk for all these hours and had no treatment. What a shocking waste of time and an appalling experience.
"Appalling A&E Service for fast atrial fibrillation"
About: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital / Accident and emergency Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Accident and emergency Norwich NR4 7UY
Posted via nhs.uk
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