"Shocked, appalled and very frightened by what I experienced"

I was sent to Ayr Hospital Assessment Unit by my GP after 5 weeks of illness. I arrived at 4 pm and had bloods taken around 5.30 pm. At midnight I was still in the waiting room of the Rapid Assessment department. I had sat in a waiting room for 8 hours along with several others, ranging from young to elderly.

At midnight trolleys were brought into the waiting room so we could finally lie down. At this point I had been told I would get fluids and anti sickness medication, but this never happened. At 5 o'clock the next morning I asked could I please get something for the nausea and was given a tablet. At 6 am the trolleys were removed and all the waiting patients went back to our waiting room chairs.

By midday I had x-rays and a CT scan, was told my bloods were satisfactory. The consultant told me I would get 2 anti-sickness medications, anti- diarrhea medication and a kit to do a stool sample. They said further investigation would be done as an outpatient. About 3 o'clock I got one anti-sickness medication (the same one I had been taking for 5 weeks) and nothing else.

I am shocked, appalled and very frightened by what I experienced. Not just for myself but for everyone who has any emergency illness. I watched an elderly gentleman sit on a chair for over 8 hours. This is cruel, in my view.

I have a life limiting condition and any infection entering my body could be fatal. What has happened to our NHS? There were people everywhere, even having to wait in their cars or in ambulances. I have always praised the NHS and I know it is not the fault of the staff as it seems they are trying to work in an impossible situation. What can be done? People must be unnecessarily dying. I believe that something needs to change.