I went to A&E today for the third time in 5 days (my SI is not normally this regular) and the doctor there refused to stitch it because 'you are just going to do it again so why should I waste my time?'. The Sister was adamant it needed stitching but this doctor was a complete bitch and said I would probably only be back there tomorrow and since I had done it to myself I obviously wasn't bothered about scarring or anything and that it should just be bandaged (it was over 1.5cm wide!) and if it could infected then I could go see someone else.
Eventually the sister had a go at steristripping but it is not properly closed and the sides of both edges are sort of piled up if you get what I mean so it isn't going to stay closed and just damn hurts. Are they allowed to refuse to stitch? It seems a little harsh and she just treated me like complete ****. I left there wanting to s/h. I thought they were supposed to treat s/h wounds the same as any other :( I would have understood if it was for some medical reason but it totally wasn't anything to do with that.
That is disgraceful, they should never treat you like that, it doesn't matter how you got the injury if it needs stitching they should stitch it.
Actually the NICE guidelines state that they have to treat you with respect and care and offer you enough anaesthetic or painkillers and somewhere comfortable to wait if you are distressed. You could definately complain about the way you were treated.
But try not to let it put you in a position where you sh again. Is there anywhere else you could go to have it looked at or could you go back and ask to see a different dr?
I'm sorry you had to go through that, makes me so angry.
*hugs and more hugs*
Jo xxxxxx
"Because you don't notice the light without a bit of shadow. Everything has both dark and light. You have to play with it until you get it exactly right."
thats sounds absolutely crap, how unprofessional and did the Dr honestly not think it would trigger you to do something else, surely it would have been better to stich and then get a psych consult for you while you in hosp.... idiot!!! i would def write a complaint to start with! and secondly patient care is the most important thing, if she's got mixed up views about sh then she should put them aside to deal witht the wound infront of her!!
and she clearly understands nothing about sh cos we dont chose to do this, on purpose anyway (sorry im ranting)
is there a minor injuries near you that you could go instead cos ideally if wound that big you need to get it stiches within first 24 hrs or could try going back and ask to speak to someone either higher up or different??
sending huge hugs xxxx
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!!
Location: Denial Tent, Virtual Psych Ward Campsite, MA, USA
I am currently:
no they aren't allowed to do that
that is refusing somebody treatment for discrimination reasons and that is illegal i think
Emma honey i am so sorry that happened to you but that nurse sounds lovely and at least she was on your side
just that doc was a total ass
i think you should report that doctor
can you go back and see somebody else or go to a different clinic or hosp? you did the right thing getting medical treatment when you needed it and that is amazing so please dont let that doctor get to you and cause you more harm because that cut oviously needs more than steris
xxxooo *hugs you*
That is completely wrong and so unproffessional! Like the others said the only reason they can refuse to stitch is if there's a concrete medical reason. And that doctor had no right speaking to you like that either...she should get disciplined severly..you really should report it hun.
Even if she doesn't understand SH..doctors/nurses/health proffessionals are not allowed to judge or discriminate in any way. So angry for you! It's hard enough going to A&E anyway without that....
***Safe Hugs** I agree you should get it checked out again if possible..
'Won’t you run, fly, open up your lungs tonight, breathe freedom for the first time in your life..'
F8ck that! NO thy aren't allowed to refuse to stitch. Make a complaint, I know it's hard but if she's refusing to stitch you what about other self harmers she may see? They have to treat every patient with respect and compassion. If you were abusing them then they don't have to see you and are within their rights to refuse treatment but NO they can't just not stitch you up because you're going to do it again. I'd go back in now and try and get fixed up before it's too late.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
That's disgusting of her! I am sick of people judging us because of sh. It is completely and utterly wrong and against her profession for her to refuse to stitch a wound that needed stitching. As the others have said, could you go and see someone at a walk-in centre or a minor injuries clinic to have it sorted?
Please don't let her terrible attitude trigger you into sh.
"Everything is possible through Christ, who gives me strength". Phillipians 4:13
Thanks for the replies, I didn't think they could refuse to stitch because it was SI. I thought they may not be able to because it was on an old area but the nurse was willing to do it until nasty doctor stepped in. I really want to SI but I also don't want to prove that woman right, besides I must do some studying to have any hope of passing my exams next week :(
awww baby, i'm so sorry you feel like si-ing now
that doctor is a biatch
i don't think she can refuse to stitch
doctors are supposed to help you and not trigger you
sorry about this
*huggles*
I hope you'll put in a complaint to the hospital about that doctor, that's totally out of order. At least the nurse was on your side. I hope you're doing okay. Look after yourself *hugs*
Thanks, I didn't go back. I couldn't face it. I know that was me being weak but I just couldn't so will deal with the repercussions if and when I have to. Thanks for the support guys and girls xx
sorry im a tad late, just wanted to say that doctor was a real b*tch, i know exactly how it feels, i had a doctor do that to me to and it sucks, thankfully not all doctors are like that and you can get some real nice ones. hope you are feeling better now. xxx
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!! 
