2nd stroke and 999 call giot me to hospital. Accident and Emergency dept put me into holding room set up in the plaster room in a reclining chair with a pillow and blanket for the night. Head scan to check for “bleeds” with negative results. No beds available anywhere in hospital gave me a prescription next morning and told me to collect it from hospital pharmacy and told me to go home under my own steam as no transport available.
I was in nightware and slippers and could only walk with difficulty. Managed to get a taxi for the 30 mile trip home (£60). Letter to GP outlining meds needed and since then have had to collect these monthly at my closest pharmacy 6 miles away so had to rely on neighbours to get me there due to driving ban for 6 weeks.
No follow up or any help offered and as I live in a rural location have severe difficulty shopping etc.
Health seems to be getting worse as now I can hardly get upstairs to bed each night and can no longer do housework to help my wife who is severely disabled.
No help groups here and Dr Surgery manned by locums as permanent staff cannot be recruited.
Appointments are impossible to obtain as the usual “Berlin Wall” has been erected by receptionists.
Have now just about given up and feel as though I will soon suffer something fatal and am powerless to do anything about it…
Complaints to health board and hospital getting nowhere.
@douglassewell the NHS seems to be struggling and not coping with demand and unfortunately the people that suffer are the patients like yourself.
Try speaking to the Stroke Association to see if they can offer you any advice. If your wife or you require care at home try contacting your local authority for a care assessment.
It’s shocking that you didn’t receive any sort of treatment, though there is a window in which the anti clot medication/drip will be administered after that 4 hour window they don’t usually administer it.
Hopefully you’ve at least got a follow up appointment with the stroke consultant, if not try contacting the hospital to obtain a follow up appointment and hopefully referral for physio. I appreciate you say it’s difficult to obtain a GP appointment but keep trying to ask for a referral for additional help.
@douglassewell that must be so difficult for you. I know its very difficult but keep pushinv for a GP appointment. You can insist on seeing one despite the receptionists protests.
I agree with @Mahoney re getting a care assessment for you & your wife. See if you can get an OT to assess you for any kit / equipment you may need too.
Hope you at least haveca follow up with tye stroke team. Ask the Stroke Association if they haveca support coordinator in your area. I have one & they’ve been great for getting answers from ny consultant & GP.
I had a bad stroke 5 months ago. I feel it’s hard to keep positive… like you I also wonder if i’m getting better or worse. Anyway I feel your frustration, and despite the odds I sincerely hope you and your wife pull through. When you said you would not wish this on your worst enemy, well, that’s the exact phrase I said not so long ago. Best wishes and good luck, Roland