High Wycombe A&E
In Sept 07 I had my first seizures at the age of 34. Two fits whilst asleep & the first I knew of it was when two paramedics were stood at the end of the bed (my then gf having called an ambulance). The local hospital A&E (High Wycombe) were fine, I was examined, questioned & sent home with a referral to see a neurologist. Other than feeling like completely disorientated, having no memory of the previous couple of days and having several torn muscles.

Saw the neurologist, had various scans etc (through company medical insurance to get it done more quickly). Told it was probably a one-off and to improve my general health & fitness (quit smoking, drink less etc).

All fine until New Years Day 2009 when I have another seizure (this time whilst awake although I ended up unconscious). This one was a biggie by all accounts (known as a grand mal tonic clonic) & the side of my head got cut from repeatedly rubbing against some furniture whilst having the fit. Taken to A&E in High Wycombe again feeling extremely tired (quite common after a fit apparently) and left to sleep in an A&E bed for three hours or so before being sent home. If all I had wanted was a sleep then I could have had that at home and not taken up an A&E bed.

I wasn’t checked for anything, didn’t realise I had cut my head (seizures leave me with an even more empty brain than I usually have) so didn’t ask to have it looked at. I had to see my GP to get another referral to the neurologist (who diagnosed epilepsy). The GP told me that I should have had 7 or 8 stitches in my head. Thanks hungover/overworked doctors in A&E!

Whilst I am a little hacked off about the cuts not being treated I cannot understand the reaction of some people I have told about this that I should sue/write to the board of trustees/go to the press. WTF? It’s not like they took out the wrong kidney or something. The NHS was there for me when I needed it, it isn’t perfect but I would much rather have it as it is than not have it at all.
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 15:47, 8 replies)

Clicked
Couldn't agree more - the NHS might be a little bit on the bollocks side, but its better than the alternative by miles and - when you think about it - it's ok.

Maybe its the media whipping people into litigation frenzy? Fuck knows. Perhaps the daily shitrags should concentrate more on the important stuff in life, like what colour knickers Jordan was wearing last night when she fell on her arse, pissed, at some fucking pointless premiere somewhere or other.
( SpankyHanky, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 15:57, closed)

I was born in High Wycombe hospital
biggest baby they'd seen apparently, at 9lb 11oz

there you go fact fans.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 16:06, closed)

That's not big.
...not that i want to start a competition here.

I was 11lb 9oz. My mother's back's never fully recovered and she feels it necessary to discuss the fact on my birthday every year.
( Another_tragic_case wished he hadn't eaten all the cake, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 8:44, closed)

I didn't think it was big either
but that is what I am told. I just think they were either inexperienced there, or that everyone else born there was a runt.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 9:19, closed)

I was an SHO in High Wycombe hospital.
Overworked yes, but not hungover - never enough time to have a life outside of work!

Things are better these days, and I'm looking forward to going part time in a few months.

PS: They really should have noticed your head injury though. It aint rocket science to realise that people having fits often injure themselves.
( sm.pl.crt.rs I don't fucking know, do I?, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 16:25, closed)

I assumed hungover
as it was New Years Day
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 16:29, closed)

I'm probably wrong.
But I would expect you would get the same (free) care in the US if admitted under similar circumstances?
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 18:06, closed)

I'm pretty sure you are wrong
someone has related a tale on these pages of being treated in America and is paying off his vast vast vast bill at a mere £700 a month, without really making a dent.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 17 Mar 2010, 18:29, closed)