"Emergency Department Derriford"

I arrived with excruciating abdominal pains. I was triaged fairly quickly. I then sat around in agony, shaking with pain for the next two hours waiting for bloods to be taken and to be given some pain killers. I was given paracetamol, which hardly took the edge off.

I sat around in the same condition for another 3 hours, with pains easing a small amount so I could actually concentrate on communication.

I asked the disinterested reception staff how much longer I'd have to wait. 9 patients ahead of me, a minimum time of another 2 and a half hours if all went smoothly.

I had been working all night and now been awake all day in immence pain, I just wanted to sleep. I decided to go home and wait for my pain to easy in relative comfort, not on uncomfortable hospital bench seats.

I had a bad experience and fortunately my issue started to ease marginally whilst waiting for those 6 hours. I feel empathy for those who were waiting for so long but did not feel any improvement.

It's a hugely disappointing example of the state of the NHS in Derriford/Plymouth.

If I'm so fortunate to have an option if I have another issue requiring an Emergency Department I shall try to avoid going to Derriford ED.

It seems they have plenty of nurses, so many walking around, but no doctors to do the patient examinations and actually help people with their issues.