A very thorough NHS

[kiliarien]

At 11am I got really bad stabbing pains in my left ribs, found it hard to breathe and was thoroughly crippled, couldn't move my left arm or anything.

I considered it cramp and tried to stretch it out but then ended up basically on the floor in agony. After speaking to NHS Direct and having a very concerned wife I ended up in the hospital through A&E. They tried to take my blood pressure but when I was crying in pain (I don't consider myself to have a low pain threshold but I was wimpering like a little animal, I'm not proud of it!) I got moved immediately to their 'Major incidents' bays in A&E at Maidstone Hospital.

They did all the tests because they were ruling out lots of stuff out like thrown clots, heart problems, chest infections etc - so I had ECG, Chest X-Ray, Bloods. ECG's are fun, especially if you're a bit hairy in the chest region like me, took them ages. And I'd never had an IV put in before, so that was another experience.

They decided I was fine, not in immediate danger and I've come away with nothing but strong painkillers because they think I've torn intercostal muscles and I'm still in shitting agony but that's life. It's a result that upright sitting causes less pain so being near a PC is realatively nice.

To the point though - whilst in this Major incidents ward I was so very impressed with the level of care, empathy and professionalism shown by the 30 odd members of staff I saw. The way they dealt with stress, patients who were very demanding, and all of the paperwork involved, which seemed ridiculous. Fair play to them.

 

[georgie]

The way they dealt with stress, patients who were very demanding, and all of the paperwork involved...

And girlie men crying like babies.

In all seriousness, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious and here's hoping the pain eases off a bit for you soon.

 

[tierk]

Great service provided to great people.

Just a shame that people forget what the NHS was like when it was run by the Conservatives; 18 months waiting lists, not enough Doctors, not enough Nurse and always the threat of more cuts incoming.

Well tbh you could say that about all public services under the Conservatives.

end of party political broadcast

 

[Ezteq]

god that sounds awful, I hope you don't get it again matey and get well soon! I think if you like, and have time, it might be nice to just jot this down in an email and send it to them at the hospital. People all hear so much moaning it is despiriting so to hear from a satisfied customer would be nice for them.

Take care and get better soon
xx

 

[Raven]

I would send it to the nurses and department that saw you. If you send it to the hospital it will just get lost in the endless middle management and time wasters (brought in under labour to answer tierk)

Back on topic. Had good experiences with the NHS over the years, I spent a lot of time there as a kid. Sort of disappointed with the last visit though, I gashed my leg open and should have had stitches but all they did was put sutures on it and covered it up with a dressing. They told me to leave the dressing on for two weeks. In that 2 week period the wound opened up again so I now have a great big scar on my leg.

 

[Jupitus]

Some of the symptoms you had could have indicated a cardiac event, perhaps a clot getting into a valve, that kind of thing, and even the NHS will wheel in the troops to cover all possibilities on that score... seens it wasn't the case though, so phew for you

 

[Laddey]

Glad everythings ok bro.

You got the good side of them. There are many wankers in that game though. Same with anything tbh.

Plod on mate!

 

[Toggers]

they were pretty awful in there before, i remember actually giving up and coming away after waiting hours in agony much to my then gf's distress. (my own fault, drinking then going skiing on a dry slope was never going to end well!)

last time i was there tho they had improved 10 fold,to be fair they had to

glad youre not dying tho ;p

 

[Lamp]

just be grateful you didn't pick up a ward infection

glad your ok