…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media. A disabled woman from Swansea, Kara Williams, has recently come forward with her harrowing experience at a local hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
Kara, aged 37, claims to have faced discrimination due to her disability while seeking medical care.
She expressed her strong reluctance to return to A&E, stating that she would “rather die” than endure such mistreatment again.
Kara suffers from neuropathic pelvic pain, a condition that causes severe agony if she sits for even a few minutes.
Despite informing the medical staff of her disability, no accommodations were made by Morriston Hospital, leaving her in a distressing situation.
Struggles in A&E: A Painful Wait:
Kara contacted the GP out-of-hours service on June 18, seeking assistance for coughing up blood and chest tightness.
Aware of the prolonged waiting times in A&E, she decided to visit the hospital, anticipating the impossibility of enduring the extended sitting.
Upon arriving at Morriston A&E and informing the nurses about her disability, Kara requested reasonable adjustments to accommodate her condition while she awaited a doctor’s examination.
Although she had brought her own camping chair, her pain escalated, compelling her to kneel and eventually lie on the floor, which she described as unhygienic.
Desperate for relief, she had to plead for morphine, which was eventually administered, but by then, her pain had already surpassed manageable levels.
Discrimination and Deterrence:
Kara firmly believes that the hospital staff discriminated against her disability, accusing them of neglecting her needs.
She expressed her profound reluctance to revisit the A&E department, emphasizing that she would prefer death over returning to such an experience.
Kara found it disheartening that seeking medical treatment, as advised by the NHS, led to such discouragement.
Following hours of suffering and experiencing incontinence issues, she discharged herself from the hospital around 6 pm.
Kara had tried her best to minimize her presence, lying on her side to avoid inconveniencing others.
However, she overheard hurtful comments from some fellow patients, labeling her as mentally ill for lying on the dirty floor.
Feeling upset and unwilling to explain herself, she endured the painful ordeal alone.
Failed Communication and Unmet Requests:
Despite attempting to discuss alternative options with the hospital staff, Kara claims that her requests for accommodations were dismissed.
She proposed moving to another part of the hospital, such as a corridor with unused trolleys, where she could lie down until called by a doctor.
However, her suggestions were deemed unreasonable, and she was told that there were sicker patients requiring immediate care and that all beds were occupied.
Kara acknowledges the hard work of the hospital staff but insists that she was merely asking for reasonable adjustments due to her sitting disability caused by neuropathic pelvic pain.
Recurring Nightmares:
Kara’s distressing experience at Morriston A&E is not an isolated incident.
Over a year ago, she encountered a similar situation where she was forced to lie on the floor, resulting in a clostridium difficile (C.diff) infection.
Kara attributed the infection to the unhygienic conditions on the hospital floor. F
ollowing this incident, she lodged a complaint with the ombudsman and was advised to approach a senior staff member directly if the issue recurred.
However, when she attempted to speak to a senior staff member on the recent occasion, she was informed that no one was available.
Health Board’s Response:
A spokesperson for the Swansea Bay University Health Board expressed deep regret upon learning about Kara’s concerns and affirmed their willingness to discuss the matter directly with her.
They acknowledged the high patient volume and the prioritization of individuals
with life-threatening conditions, leading to extended waiting times for others.
The Health Board encouraged people to explore alternative avenues for medical assistance, such as the Minor Injury Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, the NHS Wales 111 website, local GP surgeries, or pharmacies, whenever possible.
Conclusion:
Kara Williams’ distressing experience at Morriston Hospital’s A&E department sheds light on the challenges faced by disabled individuals seeking urgent medical care.
Her claims of discrimination and neglect due to her disability, along with the lack of accommodations made, have sparked concern.
It is imperative for healthcare facilities to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility to ensure that all patients, regardless of their disabilities, receive appropriate care and support during their time of need.