"Humane and considerate treatment under pressure"

Thanks to all the staff involved in my recent A&E admissions.

Especially in security and domestic roles; big shout out to the young man who stopped to offer me a cup of tea and a slice of cake - this kind of thing has been neglected even in specialist inpatient services.

Despite my presentation I have received humane, considerate treatment from all involved with my post-concussion syndrome and psychiatric admission via the police.

I have received shocking treatment in the past and things seem to be improving.

Several years ago I had severe generalised pain to one side of my face, GP wanted temporal arteritis ruled out, and I was dismissed as drug-seeking - a doctor actually threw a box of codeine at me and demanded I leave; months later a dental x-ray showed that I'd had an abscess in my upper jawbone that had resulted in bone loss.

Way back in 2001 I was brought in in psychiatric crisis, they told my friends to call a cab, gave a rapid-acting intermuscular injection and threw us out.

My next visit was by ambulance (with very verbally abusive staff) after a staggered, 140 paracetamol overdose.

Things are rapidly changing for the better even in the face of widespread cuts, and I'm thankful that this is my local A&E department!