"No patient care in ED"

My spouse had acute back pain which referred to their hip. Bed ridden and unable to walk for 2 days they finally let me call an Ambulance. We get Flying Drs transport with no meds on board. They did fantastic gob getting my spouse to Box Hill Hospital. Upon arrival approx 3:20 they are triaged and some time later given Nurofen. My spouse had all their CT films from another hospital and note from a few years ago when a similar thing happened.

I called ED for an update at 4:20 and a staff member told me my spouse had seen Dr and was waiting for cubicle and scans.

At 5:11 my spouse is calling me to come collect them as there is nothing they can do for them. I call ED and the staff member I spoke to earlier tells me my spouse has been moved and is being seen by 2 Drs.

At this point the pain is so overbearing that my spouse cannot think straight, hence my call to ED to see what's happening.

My last call to ED @ 5:24pm the same staff member advises they have been discharged with script for endone.

No scans, no nothing really. No referrals to get scans nothing.

I arrive at the ED at 5:45pm to find my spouse lying on bank of cushioned chairs having been given 1 endone table at 5pm. As the pick-up zone has been converted to extra triage, it was a 20mtr uphill walk. No help from anyone nothing, my spouse has to struggle to get to the car. Arriving in agonising pain and unable to sit they had to lay in the back seat for the 50klm journey back home. It takes 20 minutes of groaning before the pain subsides.

Same when we get home the 3 minute walk into house had them collapse on the couch in excruciating pain.

With meds my spouse is now under control. Can't get GP as they are full, but we might get in if we call in the morning for emergency phone appointment.

I'm sure my spouse will be referred for scans which means another 50klm trip in the back seat in pain.

They were at Box Hill Hospital, in excruciating pain, Why, Why couldn't they do scans and check them. They are home and bed ridden unable to move with no idea on when they can be seen let alone get scans done. All the added pain and time when my spouse was right there at the Hospital.

I understand being short staffed. But how can you send someone in so much pain home unchecked. Especially with a history of spine problems and nerve damage.