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"Calm in the Storm"

About: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust / Trust Wide Volunteering Group Royal Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as a service user),

I was told that my sister was in the RVH ED who had broken her foot, I cannot describe in written the horror show that I and he others I the waiting area where witness to. 

The waiting area was overflowing with patients sitting outside as there was no seats. There where people in the waiting area whom where sleeping recovering from their alcohol induced night out which took away valuable seating for other whom where elderly and ill. 

There at one stage was more p*lice than staff and a violent patient whom was then carried out by 6 officers through the waiting area and into a p*lice car. 

The waiting area was overcrowded and loud and the waiting time just to triaged was over 2 hours. 

I can honestly say that the Emergency Department was on its knee, however there where 2 lovely volunteers supporting and talking to patients. These two lovely ladies (Monica and Angela) where amazing and where the Calm in the Storm. 

They gathered info for patient and helped with questions, this in turn helped the medics and nursing staff whom where trying their best in a broken system that seemed to never stop. 

While the experience was no positive and going to the ED it's never going to be the staff where amazing, they are gods gift to us all and deserve every award we could possibly give them. It's just a shame that our ED has become so overcrowded and such a scary place to try and avail of emergency care. 

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Responses

Response from Melanie Fitzgerald, Volunteer Team Lead, Volunteer Services, Belfast Trust last week
Melanie Fitzgerald
Volunteer Team Lead, Volunteer Services,
Belfast Trust
Submitted on 22/04/2024 at 17:07
Published on Care Opinion at 17:10


picture of Melanie Fitzgerald

Good afternoon Entitydad88,

I am the Volunteer Services Lead for Belfast Trust and very much appreciate you taking time to leave feedback regarding Volunteers Angela and Monica. We have a dedicated team of Volunteers in ED and they will be delighted to read your very kind comments.

I do hope your sister is on the mend and thank you once again for your feedback.

Best wishes, Melanie

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