Tonight as we were driving into town John and I were talking about your predicament - and John made a suggestion - you don't have to do it, unless you feel like it - but John and I did it when we were in the same situation - and we got some good results out of it.
Our suggestion is that you write down everything that happened when you went to the ER with your friend, exactly what happened - in as much detail as you can. It will be helpful if you can remember the names of the doctors and nurses who treated you with such disregard. Then get your friend to sign it as your witness and either have it delivered or posted to the hospital's management - find out who the General Manager is - and so file an official complaint.
You don't have much to lose, they can't treat you any worse than they already do.
After John had personally delivered our formal complaint the hospital acted very quickly and arranged a meeting within a couple of days between us, the surgical doctor, the pain specialist, the pain psychologist and the charge nurse of the ward I was in, as well as our support people - friends of ours - who helped to back us up. We also had someone there from the Health and Disability Advocacy there. Maybe you can find out if there is such an organisation where you live - they provide support in matters of Patient Rights - and the gentleman who was at our meeting from this organisation made some very good suggestions and criticisms to the hospital. We worked out a long term plan, which is still in effect.
John said to remember that it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease!
Also he said that if people were to treat cows as they do us chronic pain patients that they would end up being prosecuted by the RSPCA!
We should not let people walk all over us anymore, we need to stand up for our rights. I know that is difficult to do when we're feeling absolutely terrible, but if we don't things will never change!
Be brave,
Love
-- Lin