"Staff doing their best despite poor facilities"

Attended A&E today. All staff were pleasant and efficient, however there are just not enough staff or rooms to see patients in, The A& E department is busy, seats crammed next to other patients, with no privacy. It is also poorly maintained with ripped seats and litter strewn around.

I was there for over 6 hours and observed patients without relatives supporting them who were sitting in wheelchairs, asking staff for water/ food and none being given or offered during that length of time. 

In addition I find, the lack of privacy / dignity a concern. Giving health information to reception staff in earshot of the waiting room. Waiting for results of an ECG behind a curtain, another patient was brought into the room I was in and I heard their entire medical history/ reason for attendance.  I don't think this is acceptable, surely patients have a right to privacy. 

The whole process was inefficient, nurses and doctors coming to shout names, this cannot be the best use of their time, It was also difficult to hear names being shouted by staff, again wasting more time. There are much better systems available eg buzzers as are used in restaurants. 

This was my first time using A&E at FVRH, and one I hope I dont have to repeat again as the whole experience was stressful and unpleasant. This is not a complaint against the staff, who were clearly doing their best despite their low numbers and poor facilities they have to work with.