General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

To be honest, I'm shocked by the lack of care by the NHS because my experiences have been totally different.

It's too long-winded for me to tell you of the first time I dialled 999 for myself so, to keep it short, nine years ago I missed the last two stairs at home and landed on the tile floor in my hallway, busted my head open, broke a little finger and dislocated a thumb. I kept passing out and struggled to reach the phone, but I managed eventually and, between passing out and coming to, I relayed the information they needed. Paramedics were at my house well within 10 minutes where they bandaged my head as it was bleeding, straight into A&E and was treated, presumably whilst I'd passed out again. As a result my forehead was damaged quite badly and I had to have nine stitches to my right eyebrow, although I keep it all covered with a fringe, and my right eye got a bit crumpled. I was offered Maxfax (maxillofacial) surgery to correct the disfigurement, but I refused.

More recently, on 21 December, I needed an ambulance again for something else. I tried 111 first, but got an answering machine asking me to press different buttons so I sacked that and dialled 999. Again, an ambulance arrived within minutes, was triaged immediately in A&E, then into a side part for a few hours, and then into the Medical Assessment Unit (another part of A&E) where I was on oxygen for most of my stay, and spent my Christmas Day there, coming out on Boxing Day.

So, maybe I've just been lucky, but I was treated extremely well at all times and monitored constantly.

As to getting a doctor's appointment - you've more chance of getting an audience with the King.

Oh, but the food was wonderful whilst I was there.