I know that sepsis is difficult to spot sometimes, I thought I had caught a cold or flu. It was definitely sepsis though, it was later confirmed with a blood test at the b**n unit. By the time I got there I struggled to stand up and fell over. What I don't understand is why the nurse who assessed the b**n didn't realise that the infection was severe and obviously couldn't wait for so long y'know? I don't think that I was under observation if I was left in the waiting room and didn't see a nurse or doctor the whole time I was in there other than the nurse who assessed it, I was about 10 hours until I saw any medical staff after the initial assessment. As far as I could tell there were no doctors there until about 7am ish since not one person got called in. This isn't a MIU but an A&E and surely there should be a doctor there? I guess I just wanted to mention it so that they could make sure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. I just think that they could've at least been honest instead of bullshitting me so that I could've gone somewhere else. I feel like I'd never be able to trust the staff there because they lied to me, though I admit that could be just my irrational brain.
I understand that there's not a lot of things that can be done at A&E re autism but I feel that there was a lot of unnecessary sensory stuff going on. An example is the amount of noisy vending machines with flashing lights which added to the stress of the place. I know it wouldn't bother 'normal' people but it really got too much and it wouldn't do any harm to turn the noise and lights off. I did ask if I could wait in the foyer but then they claimed that they'd called me and I didn't hear them- I did explain that I needed to wait somewhere quieter due to autism but I'm guessing that the receptionist didn't tell them. I feel like a bit more communication could be helpful. I remember a previous visit when I was brought in by paramedics and I told them that I'm autistic and that I'd prefer to be treated at home, it wasn't possible but when they took me to the hospital no one was informed so I kept having to tell every nurse, doctor, crisis team etc. They do need to communicate better I think? I know that A&E is a busy place but I feel like they could have made it more bearable for people with sensory issues, is it reasonable to make suggestions about it?
Are my concerns valid? I know that I haven't exactly got a rational brain which is why I'm asking others about it. I really don't want to come across as an arsehole, I'm so grateful for the NHS, they've saved my arse a number of times but I just feel that things could be improved at A&E y'know? Maybe if I wrote to them I could also mention how good other services have been such as the b**n unit/GPs etc and just make some suggestions? Is that reasonable?