IT’S one thing reading and writing about it, but it’s hard to fully comprehend the ever-escalating crisis in our local health system until you experience it for yourself.
For the past year-and-a-half, I’ve been speaking with local patients forced to make the more than 100-mile round trip to Altnagelvin for treatment since the removal of emergency general surgery (EGS) from the SWAH, and sharing their often horrific stories in the ‘Herald.
Having recently experienced the same journey myself, I’m now sharing my own story to give other patients an insight into what to expect. Because, despite the many patient stories I have heard and shared over the past 18 months, I was completely unprepared for the epic 48-hour ED endurance test that awaited me.
I want to stress that none of what I’m about to share was the fault of the staff. Our health system is on its knees, the only reason it hasn’t completely collapsed is down to the remarkable efforts of its frontline heroes.
The most striking aspect of my entire experience was how each and every one of them delivered outstanding care with a smile, despite the circumstances. They themselves were also acutely aware of the problems created by the removal of SWAH EGS, both for patients and for their own ability to do their jobs.
With regard to my condition, I have to point out that while I needed emergency surgery as urgently as possible, it was not a ‘bursting-through-the-doors TV-drama-style’ emergency. It was an acute flare-up of a chronic problem.
That’s the thing, many locals seem to think you only need to be transferred from the SWAH for more ‘serious’ surgeries, when most are making the journey for what should be common or routine procedures.
I’ve had the same operation a few times before, so when I arrived at the SWAH ED on a Tuesday morning I had a fair idea I’d be heading for surgery.
Everything began very smoothly. The SWAH staff were brilliant. I was triaged quickly after arriving at around 11am, and by noon I’d been seen by the doctor, then about an hour later the surgeon. I then only had to wait a couple of hours for the ambulance.
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