"My trip to A&E in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary"

I was sent to A&E at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by GP after suffering with severe, acute lower back pain. I was unable to stand or sit without excruciating pain. My GP informed my husband and I that we would not be required to wait in the standard A&E queue as we were being referred as a direct admission. A&E staff said that was not true and that we had to wait to be triaged along with all other patients, including walk ins. (We had already waited 4 hours on a call back from the GP then 40 mins to be seen and pain relief given before the transfer was arranged).

The triage nurse was fabulous and could see how much pain I was in. They explained that they couldn't offer me further pain relief without me being seen by a doctor however, they did arrange for a bed for me to lie on to relieve the pain. My husband was asked to go back to the A&E waiting room as the bays were so busy. I was pushed to the corridor and left there for almost 4hrs with no pain relief or offer of water or food. I asked three different staff members for pain relief and despite bloods being taken and a canula inserted, no pain relief was given. Eventually I asked for a forth time for pain relief and luckily the nurse was the one who I had first asked almost 4hrs before. They returned within a few minutes with oral Morphine.

Shortly afterwards I was assessed by a doctor and then a consultant who both provided excellent care and compassion, arranging an x-ray and treatment plan. Shortly after having my x-ray, I was asked by a nurse to leave the bed and sit outside in the corridor. I explained that the consultant had advised that due to my condition (a herniated disc) that I should not be sitting. They then told me that I could stand, if I preferred. I further explained the excruciating pain that this caused however, they were adamant that they needed the cubicle for another patient. The nurse then brought a different doctor to see me who explained again that they needed the cubicle and I would need to vacate it.

I repeatedly explained what the consultant had advised and went on to explain that I still had a canula in my arm and would be in excruciating pain should I need to stand. The doctor left and the nurse returned and gave me no option but to vacate the cubicle. I was then left for a further 30-40 minutes standing, crying in excruciating pain, for medications to be dispatched by the pharmacy in order for me to be discharged.

My canula was removed in the corridor, while I was crying, without further offer of support. My husband went to get the car and I asked where the nearest bathroom was. Eventually the same nurse walked beside me supporting me to walk to the bathroom, where I was left to find my own way to the entrance to find my husband who had been told, in no uncertain terms, that he couldn't leave the car to come and fetch me.

Overall a terrible experience that I wouldn't expect an animal to receive, never mind a human. While I fully understand how understaffed the department was and how busy it happened to be, there is no excuse for leaving someone in such terrible pain without any offer of analgesia.