I'm aware of the situation the world has been in for close to a year, but wanted to share this thread about a close friend of mine & the treatment, or lack of, from medical professionals.

In March last year he started with severe abdominal pains, which required a 999 call.

He was taken to Rotherham General, where he was told he may have kidney stones. Sent home but told to come back if the pain returns.

Between March and December, there were multiple ambulance call outs & visits to A&E.

My friend often fobbed off and told "bad indesgestion."

The pain has, over time, become more severe and frequent.

In December, a GP requested a stool sample, blood tests and an ultra sound.

The ultra sound revealed extremely large gall stones.

Following the visit to the GP, the severity of the situation has quickly worsened.

On the 2nd of Jan, the pain returned at its worst, and a 999 call was made with paramedics giving my mate morphine to relieve the pain.

Taken to hospital, but was told to go home by the doctor.

The following day, Jan 3rd, the same happened again. Excruciating pain, 999 call placed. Paramedics resolved the situation at hand, but after previous day's experience, told my friend to rest at home and try and sleep it off.

Jan 4th, my mate saw his GP, who believed that my mate's gall bladder needed removing pronto.

The GP liased with the hospital who agreed with what was being said and decided admitting him was the correct course of action.

However, on arrival at Rotherham General, instead of being taken to a ward, he was sent to A&E, against the agreement between two medical professionals.

He was sat waiting 5 hours+ before anyone came to see him.

It's my understanding that one doctor saw my friend, and agreed with the gall bladder needed to be removed that night or soon after. And, that it was potentially causing problems with my mate's liver.

But, a doctor seen on a previous occasion then arrived to send my pal home.

My mate's wife has made a lot of calls to a lot of people who may be able to help.

And yesterday there was an agreement for my friend to go to the ASU at Rotherham General, as he needs an MRI to find potential blockages.

Had bloods taken but no MRI as the machine was broken.

My friend and his wife feel lost in this situation and that they don't have the support.

He's having to sleep for large portions of the day, feels weak and is in lots of pain.

There's also concern another "attack" will happen where it's so severe it needs paramedics to attend.