On Tuesday at 5:30 pm I got a phone call from one of the GPs to say that because of the results of a blood test I had on the previous Saturday, they were sending an ambulance to take me to hospital for tests. The ambulance arrived at 7:15 and after doing blood pressure and sugar level tests to me to the Leighton Hospital where I arrived at 8:30 pm, and was given further Triage tests.
After this I was sent to the Waiting Room, where I was expecting to see a doctor and to be sent home that evening. However nothing happened. A spent all night without being able to get any sleep. There were only hard seats. People were trying to sleep across several of the seats or on the floor. In the morning I was offered a bed in the corridor, but still no doctors.
Fortunately I was rescued from this situation when a doctor arrived who was setting up a new facility for treating elderly patients in a separate ward (18). This room included just five other elderly patients. This new department was evidently just being set up, so was still a bit disorganised. However I did get a comfortable seat and some food. Though I was tired out due to sleep deprivation.
Eventually I was given discharge and caught the bus home arriving a 4:30 pm on Wednesday.
It seems I will be asked back to the same department for checking in future and they will be liaising with other departments such as Urology and Renal. I have declined to have any dialysis, but prefer to have palliative care, which virtually means I look after myself.
I am also supposed to have an operation to remove two stones from my bladder, though when this can be done is unclear. Personally I would also like to have the operation to remove my prostate blockage, but the Urologists are reluctant to do this because of the risk of incontinence.
