Teenager's A+E agony

The 19-year-old told the ‘MAIL’ she got a pain in her right side late on Tuesday, March 23.

“I went to bed with a couple of paracetamol,” she said.

“I was up half the night with the pain. On Wednesday I couldn’t bear the pain anymore so I went to A+E.”

She continued: “I explained what the pain was and I was just told to sit in the waiting room.

“Quite a few people in the waiting room came up to me to see what the matter was. I sat for an hour in absolute agony.

“When I was brought in they said it could be a cyst in my ovary or appendicitis. They said a consultant was coming up from the Royal to see me.”

The 19-year-old added: “Then I was given two tablets and they told me to go home. I don’t know why they told me I was going to see a consultant then sent me home.

“Even when I climbed off the bed to get home they had to help me off the bed because I was in so much pain.”

A spokesperson for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “The Trust can confirm that although fully staffed, the Emergency Department at Craigavon Area Hospital was much busier than usual on Wednesday, March 24.

“Despite the added pressure, staff worked hard to ensure that all patients were treated as quickly and safely as possible.

The spokesperson added: “In the interests of patient confidentiality, the Trust cannot discuss any individual case, however, we will always try to resolve any issues raised by patients if they contact us directly through our Central Reporting Point on 3861 4150 or by emailing [email protected]."