# Refused treatment at A&E, resulting in lasting brain injury **URL:** \ **Category:** Mental Clarity & Brain Health\ **Created:** [October 18, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408 "2026-10-18T09:51:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lively\_kepler48](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/lively_kepler48/32/156_2.png) [@lively\_kepler48](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/lively_kepler48)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/1 "2026-10-18T09:51:03Z")
I was struggling with alcohol addiction and was actively trying to get help. I was extremely sick and needed to enter rehab. Since there were no openings at detox centers, my GP and support workers planned for me to visit A&E before rehab to receive high-dose thiamine/pabrinax injections. This was meant to prevent permanent brain damage during withdrawal, as waiting for a detox bed could have taken years. My GP called A&E while I was with her, and they told me to come in. However, when I arrived, they said they were too busy to provide the treatment. I started rehab the next day, but those injections are critical the moment you stop drinking. Since then, I’ve been losing the ability to swallow, walk, and think clearly, and I’ve become very irrational. I’ve been diagnosed with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, and the brain damage is likely because I didn’t get the shots. I showed the A&E doctor the confirmation on my phone and explained I’d traveled 30 miles for this. The rehab center nearly turned me away because I hadn’t received the treatment. My doctor hoped that oral thiamine would help over time, but my condition is worsening, and I’ve been told I’ll likely decline until I can no longer speak or walk. It’s difficult to feel emotional about it because apathy is a major symptom. If I’d just had those shots as promised, I’d probably be healthy now. I’m 33, my liver and kidneys are fine, and I haven’t had a drink in nine months, yet I feel terrible every day. My brain is the only part that hasn’t recovered, all because of a five-minute procedure. I’m seeing a psychiatrist for cognitive decline, and she’s sympathetic, saying this never should have happened. While the other doctors have been great, I feel completely defeated. Are there any legal steps I can take? ---
**Author:** ![lively\_kepler48](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/lively_kepler48/32/156_2.png) [@lively\_kepler48](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/lively_kepler48)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 9:53am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/2 "2026-10-18T09:53:03Z")
I’m located in England, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![zevaegrias](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/zevaegrias/32/193_2.png) [@zevaegrias](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/zevaegrias)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:05am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/3 "2026-10-18T10:05:03Z")
To be clear: Your long-term, heavy drinking is what caused the brain damage. Recovery involves taking responsibility and self-reflection. ---
**Author:** ![swift\_hopper69](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/swift_hopper69/32/137_2.png) [@swift\_hopper69](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/swift_hopper69)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:06am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/4 "2026-10-18T10:06:04Z")
You might be able to file a medical negligence suit if you can prove the lack of treatment caused your condition and that the refusal was a breach of duty. I suggest talking to a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice, as this is a very complicated legal field. ---
**Author:** ![ready\_marten88](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/ready_marten88/32/162_2.png) [@ready\_marten88](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/ready_marten88)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:09am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/5 "2026-10-18T10:09:04Z")
Hi. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I’m actually in the hospital right now for alcohol-related seizures. Scans confirmed damage to my cerebellum, which affects my movement and stability. I was also turned away from A&E once and told to just go home, only to have a seizure and need an ambulance. A bit of practical advice: A&E can turn away walk-ins, but if you arrive by ambulance, you’re usually admitted straight to a ward. Don’t abuse this, but your case sounds serious enough. Legally, hospitals have ethics boards and PALS teams for complaints. There are also charities and firms that handle medical negligence if you have the funds. ---
**Author:** ![prielouhia44](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/prielouhia44/32/146_2.png) [@prielouhia44](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/prielouhia44)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:28am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/6 "2026-10-18T10:28:03Z")
Since your post is quite long, I’ve summarized the key points for you here: > I was an alcoholic actively seeking assistance. > I required rehab. Since detox beds were unavailable, my GP and counselors suggested I visit A&E for high-dose thiamine injections before rehab to prevent brain damage during withdrawal. > My GP called A&E while I was there, and they told me to come in for the treatment. > When I arrived, they claimed they were too busy to help that day. > I entered rehab the following day, but the injections are necessary the day you stop drinking. > Since then, I’ve lost motor and cognitive functions. I’ve been diagnosed with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, likely due to the missed treatment. > I showed the A&E doctor the confirmation and explained I’d traveled 30 miles. Rehab nearly rejected me because I hadn’t received the shots. > My doctor hoped oral thiamine would help, but my condition is worsening, and I’ve been told I’ll likely continue to decline. > I’m 33, my blood tests and organs are fine, and I’ve been sober for 9 months, yet I’m very ill every day. > I’m seeing a psychiatrist for cognitive decline who agrees this shouldn’t have happened. I feel defeated. > Is there any legal recourse for this? ---
**Author:** ![eager\_rabbit58](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/eager_rabbit58/32/128_2.png) [@eager\_rabbit58](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/eager_rabbit58)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:33am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/7 "2026-10-18T10:33:03Z")
The emergency room is for life-threatening situations. You weren’t in that category, and they were likely busy with critical patients. Why didn’t your GP handle the injections? NHS rules allow for that to be done in-house. ---
**Author:** ![roofr\_uifr33](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/roofr_uifr33/32/123_2.png) [@roofr\_uifr33](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/roofr_uifr33)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:38am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/8 "2026-10-18T10:38:04Z")
Why didn’t your doctor just give you the shots at the surgery? This doesn’t seem like something A&E should have been responsible for. ---
**Author:** ![fancy\_turtle9](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/fancy_turtle9/32/180_2.png) [@fancy\_turtle9](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/fancy_turtle9)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:41am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/9 "2026-10-18T10:41:04Z")
You might have a case, but it might not be against A&E alone. From a healthcare perspective, this wasn’t handled right. A&E doesn’t usually provide this service; you should have been admitted to a ward. Your support workers shouldn’t have promised A&E would do it, but if A&E agreed to it beforehand, they should have followed through. It’s a very strange way to manage a patient. ---
**Author:** ![proud\_babbage85](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/proud_babbage85/32/190_2.png) [@proud\_babbage85](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/proud_babbage85)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 10:49am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/10 "2026-10-18T10:49:04Z")
Proving medical negligence is very difficult, and it’s unlikely you have a strong case. The root cause of the damage is the alcohol addiction, not the hospital’s actions. Wernicke’s is caused by long-term thiamine deficiency from malnutrition, not a single day’s delay. The main risks of withdrawal are seizures and delirium tremens, which can be avoided by tapering off alcohol slowly rather than stopping all at once. To prove negligence, you need: 1. Duty of care (which might be hard to pin on the ED vs the GP), 2. Quantifiable harm (proving the disability is permanent), 3. Causation (showing the hospital’s refusal directly caused the injury, especially since you could have tapered), and 4. Reasonableness (if other doctors would have done the same, it’s not negligence). Refusing detox admissions is common. You might have a better case if you weren’t warned about stopping suddenly or given thiamine pills. ---
**Author:** ![swift\_ptolemy](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/swift_ptolemy/32/193_2.png) [@swift\_ptolemy](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/swift_ptolemy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 11:39am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/11 "2026-10-18T11:39:03Z")
It will be nearly impossible to prove the damage came from that one day rather than years of substance abuse. ---
**Author:** ![eager\_eagle11](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/eager_eagle11/32/184_2.png) [@eager\_eagle11](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/eager_eagle11)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/12 "2026-10-18T12:34:03Z")
I’m not sure where in the UK you are, but in the Southwest, rehab wait times are only about six weeks, not years, if you stay engaged with the services. Thiamine can also be prescribed as a daily pill by a GP. My sister is an alcoholic with ‘wet brain’ and is heading to rehab now. ---
**Author:** ![neat\_tycho29](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/neat_tycho29/32/158_2.png) [@neat\_tycho29](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/neat_tycho29)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/13 "2026-10-18T12:36:03Z")
You can sue if the care was substandard and caused harm. The difficulty is that A&E prioritizes based on urgency. Unless it was a true emergency, they can turn you away if they’re at capacity. They’ll likely argue that the responsibility was yours or the rehab’s for continuing the detox without the shots. You need to see a medical negligence solicitor for a real answer. ---
**Author:** ![curious\_wizard4](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/curious_wizard4/32/148_2.png) [@curious\_wizard4](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/curious_wizard4)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/refused-treatment-at-a-e-resulting-in-lasting-brain-injury/21408/14 "2026-10-18T12:47:04Z")
You can buy thiamine over the counter. It isn’t an injection, but it performs the same function, just in smaller amounts that are less easily absorbed. Be sure to eat some healthy fats, like toast with butter, before taking each pill. Good luck with your sobriety; I’m sorry you weren’t given the proper care.