"You all deserve the absolute world"

I was sent home from work as my boss and colleagues were concerned about me after I took a bad tumble on the ice over the weekend and hurt my lip. 

I tried to make an appt with my GP but the receptionist advised that due to the nature of my injury, I should present ASAP to A&E.

I arrived around 11.30am and as I was checking in, the receptionist was honest with me and said that the wait time was currently 17 hours. Not the greatest, but the waiting room was full and I knew it was best for me to get checked so I got into a seat and settled in.

Despite the gripes and grumbles from people waiting and people arriving, the staff were amazing, dealing with near-constant negative feedback but remaining strong and working as hard as they could.

I was triaged in around an hour later and the staff who checked me out and took my observations were wonderful. Full of cheer despite the obvious gruelling shift they were enduring.

When I returned to the waiting room, it was busier than before but I watched the staff pushing on and doing the best they could despite the growing number of people they were trying to treat.

Four hours from my arrival, I was seen by a doctor who was reassuring, candid and wonderful. She explained what she was doing and made me feel validated for going in - I was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to be there if I didn't need to be.

She made sure I received all of the necessary treatment, and once my results arrived she came and found me in the waiting area to give me my prescription, some information on what to expect with my concussion, and was genuinely such a delight. 

All of the staff in the department were working well together, putting in as much effort as possible for the patients waiting, and made the 6 hours I was there so much more bearable. Thank you to everyone who works in A&E - you all deserve the absolute world for the work you do.