This is the full version of Rachel's Story, part of Mencap's Treat me well campaign which aims to transform the way the NHS treats patients with a learning disability when in hospital.

Rachel’s story is a combination of experiences that real people with a learning disability have had in hospital. Rachel’s experiences in this episode are based on Ronnie’s story. To read Ronnie’s story and to find out more about Treat me well, our campaign for better hospital care, please visit www.mencap.org.uk/treatmewell.

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This is the last episode of Rachel's Story, part of Mencap's Treat me well campaign.

Transcript: 

Announcer: You are now listening to Episode 6 of Rachel’s story, part of Mencap’s Treat me well campaign. 

Every episode of Rachel’s story is based on real experiences of people with a learning disability who have been to hospital. If you haven’t listened to previous episodes, please go back to Episode 1 to hear Rachel’s story from the beginning. 

Rachel:   When things are going seriously wrong with your appendix, 

you need surgery right away. 

I was very afraid. 

The doctor who was putting me to sleep. They tried to relax me, but it didn’t help. 

Dad was outside.

Doctor: Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need a blanket? Do you have a favourite toy or something you can hold onto? I could try and get your dad back in here if that would help.

I may not understand things really fastly but I’m not a kid.

No one would just say what was happening.

They went to put a needle into my arm. I jumped really badly.

They said they were sorry. I said I wanted to know what was happening.

Doctor: All I’m going to do is wipe this bit of your arm with alcohol and put in this needle. It should be just a quick pinch. Then, I’m going to put this mask over your face, but it won’t smell bad. Just take deep breaths and we’ll count to ten together.

Once they said what was happening, everything was fine. 

They put a mask on my face, but I was calm. I counted to ten.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four…..

.

Rachel’s story is a combination of experiences that real people with a learning disability have had in hospital. Rachel’s experiences in this episode are based on Ronnie’s story. To read Ronnie’s story and to find out more about Treat me well, our campaign for better hospital care, please visit www.mencap.org.uk/treatmewell.

Sign up to campaign emails on the website to get the next episode. Thank you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Episode 5 of Rachel's Story, part of Mencap's Treat me well campaign.

Transcript:

Announcer: You are now listening to Episode 5 of Rachel’s story, part of Mencap’s Treat me well campaign. 

Every episode of Rachel’s story is based on real experiences of people with a learning disability who have been to hospital. If you haven’t listened to previous episodes, please go back to Episode 1 to hear Rachel’s story from the beginning. 

Rachel:    Sometimes, hospitals can be so big.

I felt like I was running for ages.

Finally, my dad ran found me. He helped me calm down. 

Some of the doctors tried to find me. They told my dad I needed a scan now.

They needed to know what was making my stomach hurt. 

I told them I was afraid of little places.

Med Professional: We can definitely do a different kind of scan if a CT scan isn’t possible.

They did an X-Ray instead.

I told the person on the X-Ray that I have a learning disability. They said their brother had a learning disability too.

They walked me through the X-Ray. They told me about each step. They helped me understand what the X-Ray does.

It only took a little bit of extra time, but I felt so much better. 

Med Professional: We’ll put you on this table, Rachel. Then we’ll put this heavy blanket over you because X-Rays can be bad for your health if you are around them a lot. I’ll stand behind there and push the button and then it’ll be done.

After the X-Ray, another doctor said there was something wrong.

I needed to have surgery right now.

My dad was very unhappy. He wanted to make a complaint.

I have gone home without no test. 

The medicine they had first given me wasn’t good for me to take.

I didn’t want to make a fuss but Dad was right. 

Announcer: This is the end of Episode 5.

Rachel’s story is a combination of experiences that real people with a learning disability have had in hospital. Rachel’s experiences in this episode are based on Angus’ story. To read Angus’ story and to find out more about Treat me well, our campaign for better hospital care, please visit www.mencap.org.uk/treatmewell.

Sign up to campaign emails on the website to get the next episode. Thank you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.