I was taken into resus after severely self harming. I am autistic and non-verbal. I communicate through my phone or with written words or PECS. I need other people to write things down too so I can understand. This is all written in my hospital passport which was handed to the doctor by paramedics.
The Doctor came to see me but wrote down that I needed to take off my ear defenders so he can treat me. I said no as they help me to be calm. He said he will not be treating me unless I take them off as he knows I can hear and making him write things down is a waste of everyone’s time. I didn’t take off my ear defenders so he refused to treat me and he told nurses and HCAs not to come near me and if I wanted something I had to ask (speak) for it. He told everyone that I was faking not being able to speak. He told everyone that I was playing games. He got the nurses to move the buzzer high up so I couldn’t get help. He got the nurses to turn off the light so I was left in complete darkness. I crawled off the bed because I was so scared and alone and in pain. A nurse came in and saw this and got other people to restrain me back onto the bed. Afterwards, I showed the nurse a symbol of “toilet” but the nurse laughed at me and said if I really needed to go then I have to ask (speak).
Once they all left and I was in the dark again, I crawled back on to the floor. I ended up peeing myself on the floor. I was also in so much pain that I had to lie in it as I couldn’t move much. My wound was still bleeding and uncovered. I had none of my medication for over 24 hours either. I felt really unwell but I had no way to tell anyone or get help because I was in too much pain to move. I passed out and was eventually found around 6 hours later by a porter who was meant to be taking me up to the surgical ward. The porter got the same nurse as before and she just dragged me to sit up. She kept the light on this time and made a HCA stand within eyesight of my room. I was trying to point to the “unwell” and “toilet” symbols but the HCA kept saying that I need to speak or I won’t get help. So I was still left sitting in blood and urine for a few more hours. Still no medication. Still no treatment.
They then couldn’t get a bed on the surgical ward so the surgeons had to come down to me. Without any pain kills or lidocaine, they got nurses to restrain me while they stapled me. I was crying and screaming in pain. The surgeon said that autistic people don’t feel pain this is just attention. The nurses all laughed. I was discharged not long after. I had to sit in my carer’s car covered in urine and blood. There was no treatment plan or discharge letter either. My carer still has not had a response from the complaint that was put in 6 months ago.
This is my story as a: Patient
NHS Trust (or Provider): Don’t know/prefer not to say
Timespan: 6 months ago
Did you complain?: Yes
Did the Trust (or Provider) retaliate?: Prefer not to say or N/A
Would you recommend PALS as an impartial intermediary?: No
After investigation, did the Trust (or Provider) respond satisfactorily?: Prefer not to say or N/A
Did you take your complaint to the Ombudsman (PHSO)?: Prefer not to say or N/A
Your ethnicity: White British
Have you experienced suicidality due to this?: Attempted suicide more than once
Are you autistic?: Formal diagnosis
Are you disabled as defined under the Equality Act 2010?: Yes
