"Asthma episode"

In the afternoon of a weekend, I was feeling poorly. I rang 2 after-hours medical centres but unfortunately, I couldn’t get an appointment. I told both centres I had breathing issues and thought I needed a nebuliser. The receptionist of one suggested I go to one of two other hospitals.

I chose Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital as was the one closest to where I live, drove myself, parked and walked slowly to the ED. Out of breath, I was stopped by two nurses on the footpath. Another group of three were ahead of me. I understand they were being questioned and were waiting to go in.

When I was asked a few minutes later what my problem was, I explained my shortness of breath, asthma condition and the need to go on the nebuliser.

I was refused entry. Outside the ED…on the footpath in the evening. In the cold night air ...

My pulse was taken. I was asked if I had chest pains or any pain. I said no, I’m having trouble breathing. They told me to go away.

I was shocked and distressed. I asked bewildered, where can I go?

They named a different hospital. I quietly and slowly walked back to my car. I was careful not to get too worked up. I drove home not quite sure what to do. Afraid I might have an attack in the car on the way home. Afraid to go to another hospital in case I was turned away from that one as well. I arrived home, had a bath hoping the steam and warm water would calm me down, then I put myself to bed. But I couldn’t sleep. I was coughing up mucus, spluttering, wheezing and breathing with difficulty. I quickly reassessed my situation, changed clothes and drove myself to the hospital they told me to go to.

My plan was to tell them my story and I prayed they would listen and treat me

About an hour after arriving home, I went to that other hospital. Best decision I made. After receiving exceptional care from a full range of people including doctors, specialists, nurses, phlebotomists, orderlies, radiographers, receptionists, caterers and cleaners, I recovered 😊🌻🌻

I’m home now on medications, resting and recuperating. My story about that experience can be read here.

I hope this kind of stressful situation never happens to anyone else. I hope your staff can be instructed not to turn away future patients with breathing difficulties as I felt they did to me. I believe it could have all turned out so differently …