"A very mixed experience"

I was very lucky to be seen and sent home within 6 hours on my last visit. Being pregnant with a high risk baby has meant a couple of visits to A&E but this visit was the most stressful and not made easier by the attitudes of a couple of staff members.

I was triaged quickly but didn't feel like I was being fully listened to and have found across the health service that receiving care outside of the pregnancy unit has often come with a lack of compassion. Especially feel this as I have a history of multiple miscarriages and when told it could be something serious a little more care would be appreciated. 

I had bloods taken and found the nursing assistant extremely rude and did a quick job, when asked a question they was so abrupt. I'm a nurse who works in very busy environments however no matter how busy or stressed I am not rude to patients as I wouldn't want them to be rude to me. 

I was called round to minors and was seen so quickly. The nurses were amazing and dealt so well with the rudest patients who gave them so much aggro and were nasty. They were so kind to me when my veins were so poor and made it so difficult to find somewhere for a cannula. When I took a bit of a turn in the room they treated me with such kindness and came back to check in on me. 

The A&E doctor I seen in minors was so abrupt, judgemental and honestly made me want to just go home. They didn't seem to grasp how difficult living with hyperemisis is and asked what was different and what did I expect to be done. I just knew they were not interested and couldn't wait to bung me out the door.

Thankfully I was referred to gynae and the doctor as amazing. He was the first doctor who has listened, emphasised and supported me. He put a plan in place which we decided jointly and listened when I said how much of a struggle it was to get through each day when the other doctor just ignored me when I said it. Thanks to the doctor ( I can't remember his name sadly) I left feeling mentally lighter, more in control of my pregnancy and with info on how to get support in future. I can really see that he will have a really good lifelong career as he really treats his patients with the best care. 

Overall I was so thankful for the care I received and especially when the NHS is so under pressure. You have so many lovely staff that I met on this visit and the brilliant staff when I last came. However, I do think some need a change of attitude if they want to offer proper patient care.