"The scariest journey of my life!"

I took a seizure at home - had never taken any before so was terrified and continued to take them, an ambulance was called and the paramedics were absolutely outstanding - from the amazing care and compassion they showed me and my boyfriend, to maintaining my dignity while seizuring on the stair climber. I can't thank them enough, even when we got to hospital they go me blankets and pillows, and they changed me into a gown. Honestly felt safe in their hands.

I was taken to ED at Wishaw -  on arrival I met Jordan, the nurse who would be looking after me. Jordan is a credit to the ED department, he was calm and gave me nothing but reassurance throughout. I can remember loads of nurses round me at points working with me and I can honestly say they were absolutely run off their feet but I was given 110 percent attention from all staff in ED that night. Sarah and Mary came and took over to relieve other staff, they both were also a credit to the department. Sorry I can't remember you all but you were fantastic.

I was given a lot of medication to stop the severity of the seizures. I was later moved from resus to the assessment areas where I awaited admission to a medical ward. I have a vague memory of the rest of my journey in ED. All I can says a huge well done and thank you to each and every one of the staff for making me feel safe as I was terrified. 

I was then moved to MAU 1 where unfortunately I didn't receive the care I had previously received in ED. I was left seizing and vomiting and families of patients sitting with their families passing away having to keep asking nurses to help me. Getting curtains closed when seizing and nursing staff walking away. However, there was a CSW on that day who was absolutely amazing, worth their weigh in gold. 

I took a seizure when my mum was visiting and she shouted help as my mum was distraught, and a nurse said just leave her she'll be fine. The standard of care in MAU 1 was horrendous compared to the care and compassion ED had shown me the night before. 

Then a nurse came and said - that's you ready. I asked where I was going, and they told me I was moving to ward 7. No one had informed me I required to be moved.

On leaving the ward, the porter said she's seizing you'll need a nurse to go with her, and the reply was no we are short staffed. So porter walked with me seizing on a bed from MAU1 to ward 7. I was covered in urine and stuff due to losing bladder function. They also said I Self resolve, this isn't acceptable practice to send a seizing patient out the ward with a porter.

I arrived in ward 7 and what can I say, it was like night and day. 2 CSWs stripped and washed me and I was soaking wet. Veronica the SCN should be very proud of her ward and staff, the staff were absolutely outstanding and nothing was too much bother. I was struggling with anxiety, and they allowed my boyfriend to sit with me. But overall I was in 7 days in ward 7 and cannot thank them enough. 

I work as a health professional and I will make sure on one will be treated like that badly I was in MAU1, cause it was appalling treatment. 

Well done A&E for your time patience and you made me feel safe in a position that terrified the life out of me.

Also thanks you MACU for trying to get me out of waiting room on previous day when I took unwell on ward.

This unfortunately has taken me a long time to write as I feel it needs to be addressed.

Thanks for all the team that did their bests.