LETTER: Worst seven-and-a-half hours of life at Royal Blackburn Hospital

On Monday, January 16th, I was referred there by my GP to investigate a painful problem with my right hand.

We arrived at the hospital at 2-15 p.m. and seen at 3 p.m. We were then left until 5 p.m. to see an orthopaedic surgeon.

He eventually came and asked me for the history of this problem and some blood was taken. Prior to seeing him a nurse sent us to the X-ray department.

It is now 6 p.m. A porter came to take me to Ward 20. He placed a wristband on my wrist in case I was kept in hospital. The porter also stated I was being moved as the hospital policy is for me to be no more than four hours waiting in one department.

I am now on Ward 20 where I waited for another four hours. I spoke to a member of staff but they were unable or unwilling to help.

I told a member of staff I was three hours behind with taking my medication for my medical problems – had I any idea I would be in hospital for seven-and-a-half hours I would have taken my meds with me.

I have to take metformin for type 2 diabetes and propranolol for an irregular heartbeat.

It was also at this point we realised we were still no nearer being seen by a doctor and, not knowing how much longer we might have to wait, had to make the decision to get home to Burnley and get my medication, otherwise there could have been even bigger problems.

The nurse, at one point, said the doctor, in his opinion, thought I was not a priority even though he knew I needed my medication.

Can someone explain to me how not having any access to my meds and the possibility of going into a hypo-state plus problems with my heart caused the doctor to think I was not a priority?

After all the time we had waited, I got a message from the doctor through a nurse that if we left I was discharging myself and they were in no way responsible for anything that may happen to me. I did not discharge myself. I had to leave hospital before my health deteriorated due to not having any access to my medication and by this time it was 9-30 p.m. Disgraceful.

I live on the doorstep of Burnley General Hospital but, no, this is too simple for the powers that be, for me to travel less than five minutes to this hospital.

BURNLEY RESIDENT