"Superb response to an HAE facial attack at John Radcliffe A&E"

I went to The John Radcliffe Hospital A & E department with a facial swelling. At the reception desk I presented my HAE (Hereditary angioedema) patient emergency card and was immediately booked in. I was however told to report to triage.

As an HAE patient this is not the procedure, as this condition is potentially a fatal one. I told this to the receptionist who immediately took my card and details into the unit where I was called for in under 2 minutes.

As I carry my initial dose of C1 inhibitor, treatment was immediately started while the duty doctor contacted my Clinical Immunology consultant for advice on this rare condition and its treatment. I was given a second injection of C1 as the attack continued and I was transfered to EAU for monitoring overnight.

As an HAE patient who has experienced many attacks, this rapid response and excellent treatment by staff of all grades from doctors to the receptionist, none of whom had obviously never seen this condition in real life, was excellent.

To make the receptionist's job easier I feel they need instructions not to triage HAE or AAE patients but refer them directly to the clinicians. However, well done.