"It wasn’t the experience you would expect"

I attended the ED department with a family member and it wasn’t the experience you would expect. 

My family member was attended to by several members of staff and only one doctor introduced themselves, the nurses did not introduce themselves and we were unable to call them by name as they didn’t have a name badge on! The only staff that had name badges on were the healthcare staff. One nurse in particular who was triaging in the ambulance corridor was so rude and unfriendly, their facial expressions were so unwelcoming and you got the impression they hated their job/ didn’t want to be there. 

My family member was getting bloods obtained and the sharps container was placed above their head, it was so over filled that a naked needle was hanging out, I had to remove this and place on chair as I was afraid if it fell the needle would pierce the skin! I also noticed that another sharps container which was placed on wheels on the floor was being used as a rubbish bin (also over filled).

The trolleys had no sheets on them and pillows were being used with no pillow slips on them, however they did have someone else’s blood on them. 

My family member was then moved to a corridor as they needed the bed space for resus patients. The space they were moved to was right in front of the doors other patients were using to go outside to smoke. No privacy or dignity just cold air blowing through from the amount of times the doors opened and closed. No blankets were given, I had to use my coat to try and keep them warm until a nurse provided a blanket many hours after. 

I know the pressure the NHS is under, however manners cost nothing. 

Thankfully the next morning, my family member was moved to a much friendlier and cleaner ward.