"Emergency triage process"

Recently I presented at the Emergency Department at Wonthaggi hospital. I explained to the triage nurse I had swelling (visible) in my jaw and neck, I had a sore jaw and had lost movement in it. I could only open my mouth half a centimetre, and hadn't been able to eat.

I was asked if I wanted pain medication and told there would be a bit of a wait. I waited several hours and as I had a toddler to get back to could not wait any longer. I believe I should have been higher priority. I had a locked jaw along with quite visible swelling which would be classed as an airway obstruction.

I am writing to let you know that recently at my local GP I was called an ambulance immediately when I presented with the exact symptoms I had told your triage nurse about - then taken to another hospital to see an ENT and from there very quickly was called a second ambulance to yet another hospital and am now in the Intensive Care Unit. I completely understand that you were busy but do think in these cases priorities need to be made.