"ER chaos, but wonderful staff"

I had severe chest pain at 9pm. I took GTN twice and followed guidance given by cardiologist I see. At 9.30 I felt worse and my husband called 999 that evening. My husband called hourly until 3am, when two very kind paramedics arrived. They reassured me and said ECG wasn’t normal and I should go to ER. They said all depts were busy in Lanarkshire and I should go to Monklands. 

After initial tests I was placed in a corridor with no one saying how long it may be that I would be there. I lay from 5am till at least 9am. I had no blanket or pillow and I had to ask for one.

I was so embarrassed as staff were walking past continuously, and then as the day went on members of public too, the corridor used was the main thoroughfare right at the entrance, there were at least 6 on trolleys and some more people in chairs. 

A lovely nurse did apologise then I was taken to a room. I was told I would need to see a medic after being assessed by a specialist Dr at around 1pm.

After managing a couple of hours sleep on a trolley, I was asked to move to a corridor. I wasn’t pleased but what else could I do, the place was like a war zone, it was horrendous. 

I was then placed on a chair with again nothing to cover me and I only had pyjamas. My husband came up and was horrified and upset to see me anxious and worried. I was told I may have unstable angina.

There were families grieving , patients very very sick, all right at the main entrance, there was no dignity, and it was a complete fire hazard.

After the nurse changed area, no one reassured me, no one came and saw me, I was so scared and embarrassed. 

Every couple of hours I asked for an update. I was told I was being admitted, then I wasn’t. I honestly felt they wanted rid of me because my troponin was OK. 

Eventually around 8pm, I was saved by a lovely medic who had booked a cupboard to assess me in, and when it had been taken they then found a trolley top of unit. I felt worse than when I came in due to being in a corridor for 19 hours now. 

I eventually got a bed in MAU and the medic said I would stay in for more tests. I was relieved, I now felt safer and in good hands.

My husband arrived with some food and overnight bag and then a consultant came in and saw me. They said I didn’t need to stay, I said I still have chest pain and would rather stay. I was told they will repeat ECG and trop t and I can go home 

As they were ok I was sent home at 11pm. I didn’t agree, but I went 

They agreed an angiogram was needed and I should wait for this. 

The medic and nurse I saw in A&E should be commended, but I feel the situation is untenable for patients and staff, and they cannot wait until a new hospital is built, they need more space, as I believe the A&E isn’t fit for purpose. 

I would recommend a cardiology triage area, as so many people come in with chest pain, if ECG and bloods could be done in emergency primary care centres this would be help A&E. 

I would love to speak to a senior member of staff about my journey. 

Thank you