"People skills"

To whom it may concern, a few months ago I went to the ED at the Plantagenet Hospital, I had a lot of pain on my left leg between the knee and the ankle, I went there because my Doctor was on holiday and I couldn't get in to see any other Doctor, even though I was Red/Flagged.

I was met by a Nurse, who asked what me what was wrong, I explained that I was in a lot of pain, and had been for a while, they asked what's a while, was it day's week's or month's. I answered it was a weeks, few weeks. They asked what was the pain level I said between 8 and 10. They looked my leg and at my face and I recall said no it's only a 5. They then asked where the pain was and I said it was my calf and pointed to it, they said that's not your calf that's your shin ok.

Then they asked me what Medication I took. I told them it was one Crosuva Tablets 5mg. They asked me the same question again and I explained again, they then asked me the same question only this time I felt it was very slow and deliberate. What-Medication-Do-You-Take!, I felt like I was being treated like a fool probably because of my age. They asked if I took anything for the pain, I told them I took Nurofen when I needed to. I recall they said if it's soft tissue damage you need to keep taking the painkillers, they got me 2 Panadol and 1 Ibuprofen which I wish I had not taken, I felt very intimidated and took them against my better judgement. They never gave me real eye contact, they stood all the time and looked down at me. They then sent me to one of the cubicles to wait for the Doctor.

The Doctor turned up about 15 minutes later, asked was wrong. I went through it with them and mentioned that I was concerned it might be a Blood-Clot, and wondered if I should have a Ultrasound. I recall they looked at my leg's with my pants on and said I can tell you that it is not a Blood-Clot. They told me take my pant's off and get on the bed, I said I wouldn't take my pants off as they were very baggy and I could pull them up, they checked my legs and said I told you, you haven't got a Blood-Clot I am 97 percent positive.

They then went on to say your Doctor shouldn't have suggested an ultrasound without examining you, I told him it wasn't my Doctor it was my Chiropractor, they raised an eyebrow. I did say my Chiropractor was concerned, they then went on to say no Ultrasound that's a waste of $300:00. I recall the Doctor said it takes longer to heal as you get older and let's face it you aren't 25 years old any more (I am in my late 70s) I said that I did know that. The Doctor told me to go home sit down in the sunshine put my feet up and drink lot's of water, I was just waiting for them to pat me on the head and send me on my way. I said that I was sorry to have wasted their time.

I felt they were both very arrogant and dismissive, I genuinely felt like I was wasting their time.

As I have already mentioned I am in my late 70s. I would have liked some respect not for my age but for me as a human, to say I was angry, frustrated, sad, humiliated and so un-heard was an understatement most Medical Facilities ask for Patient's to treat them with Respect shouldn't we expect the same.?

I think these two staff should go and learn some people skills, after all their job's do call for it.

Sincerely thubancf89, I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.