"Crosshouse Hospital A&E"

I attended Crosshouse hospital A&E last week, after being sent with a letter from my GP, who thought I might have kidney stones and needed scanned. I was, at this point, taking antibiotics for a kidney infection. The department wasn’t busy when I arrived, as was told to me by more than one staff member. I was in a lot of pain on arrival which was worse on movement. My veins aren’t great so after having bloods taken, the decision was taken not to put a canula in. I was in the department for 6 hours, which is not a great deal of time given waiting times right now. I received a CT scan which caused a horrendous amount of pain due to having to move and lie in my stomach. On return to A&E from X-ray the auxiliary offered me some water which I accepted. This was the only water I was given during my time there. Given that I had a kidney infection I should’ve had much more than this. I was offered 2 painkillers for pain, Cocodamol, which I can’t take as it makes me feel awful, or Oramorph which I have a history with so I was reluctant to take it. I explained my reasons for both of these. I was then told that was all they could offer me as my GP had given me a diclofenac injection. Not even an offer of a paracetamol. At one point a member of staff put their head round the curtain and asked my name. I then heard them ask a colleague why I was in a bed when I could stand up. The CT scan results came back clear so the staff seemed at a loss as to what to do next. They said they would go and speak to the consultant but there was probably nothing they could do. By my own choice, I decided to leave, as by this point I was desperately needing a drink, was in agony and not allowed pain relief, felt insulted and was in tears of pain and frustration. When I stopped at the nurses station to say I would just go, I counted 9 staff all chatting in groups. The only person that approached me was the auxiliary that had given me my cup of water. I explained how I was feeling and that I was leaving and a staff member stepped forward, asked what my problem was and then sighed, rolling their eyes at me when I tried to explain. They told me I had to sign a form to allow me to leave. Normally I would have signed it, but their attitude and demeaning way of speaking to me made me say no, and I left. 

I have had (too) many experiences with the NHS over the last few years, including during covid, and they have always been positive experiences. I have great admiration for the NHS and for every level of staff who do a high pressure job every day. The majority of the staff I came across were lovely, kind and helpful. The auxiliary that came with me to CT, and the 2 nurses that carried out the CT and helped me move when I was in excruciating pain, were amazing. Unfortunately the experience I had last week due to other staff members left me feeling worse than I did when I arrived. My husband picked me up and I was so upset, in horrendous pain, desperate for a drink of water and feeling like I had been nothing but a burden. Even now, days later, I am still in terrible pain, exhausted, and tearful when I think of that experience. Everyone has bad days and sometimes we say and do things we don’t mean. But to have a patient leave your department visibly upset after being left lying in pain, had their reasons for being in a bed questioned, and then being spoken to with, what felt like, disdain, is beyond explanation.