Gillian’s story:

In 2005 I became unwell and developed a high temperature. I wasn’t well enough to go to the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics on a home visit from our local doctor on a Friday. Unfortunately I was extremely allergic to the drugs and was told on Saturday by Camidoc (phone call) to stop taking them if they were making me vomit. On Sunday I felt considerably worse and a Camidoc doctor visited and immediately called an ambulance. One of the side effects of my illness was that I remained rational and quite convincing that I was not as sick as I was. The ambulance arrived at A&E and they – without absolute proof but based on symptoms – began treating me for bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. Had they given me a lumbar puncture which is one way to prove the diagnosis, I would probably have died.

The pressure in my spinal column was dangerously high. Their swift action undoubtedly saved my life. I was in hospital for 2 months and all the specialists thought I was a walking miracle when I left. The credit was given by all the medical team to that first Doctor in A&E who saw me within 10 minutes of my arrival.

I would also write to say how critical the A&E has been to my elderly neighbour. Sheila W lived in Priory Gardens for over 50 years. Her husband was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, her son was epileptic and she herself had severe arthritis. During their lifetime, the Whittington were on hand for every emergency – and there were many. In recent years Sheila fell down a flight of stairs and broke her arm in three places. She phoned me for help and on arrival at A&E the staff were outstanding. She was fragile, old and very afraid. Her fear of painkillers was great because her stomach had been made vulnerable from other medications. They set up an intravenous drip of paracetamol for her which was wonderful – the salient point is that they did not need to resort to morphine or other high dependency drugs. The pain clinic work at the Whittington is outstanding and their policies are used in the A&E to enormous benefit.