"Experience in Emergency"

Earlier this year I went to the ED on a Saturday. The 4 people in the queue at triage, allowed me to queue  jump, due to my pain. The Triage nurse recognised I needed a bed or barouche (operating theatre trolley), but there were none available, and ramping with ambulances was happening. Due to pain, when at the counter to give in further information, I slid out of the wheelchair onto the floor. There I stayed for 1.5hrs. My spouse asked for some warm blankets, the triage nurse eventually attended with Oxycodone for my back pain which radiated down my left leg. Later I was shown to a cubicle. I was later discharged with a prescription for Oxycodone after having seen a Dr and Physiotherapist, but no x-ray or scan. I then went to my GP on the Monday as the pain had not become under control. The GP organised an ultrasound scan within 2 hrs. This showed a bulging disc at L5/S1. 

We share this story to help your fight for improved resources at Flinders Medical Centre. We understand re ramping/pressure etc, my spouse is a healthcare professional.  (We do have a picture of the situation if required by the service.)