"Whole process was effiecient"

I came to A&E on a Sunday evening after falling off my bike and hurting my hand. I was seen by the triage nurse within half an hour of my arrival and sent for x-ray straightaway. I then had 2-3 hours wait as more urgent cases arrived but when I was called through was dealt with very thoroughly by a nurse practitioner (Lou) who carried out neurological tests as I had also hit my head and who clearly explained the possible damage to my scaphoid and sent me for further x-rays to confirm the damage. I was kept in the treatment area so I didn't feel forgotten and was then seen by another nurse practitioner (Helen) who had been very well briefed so that there was a smooth transition. Helen did a couple more checks, explained the damage, applied the plaster cast and sent me home. Again all very clear, very thorough and a personal experience.

I felt it was like stepping back in time to a better period of the NHS: reception staff were welcoming; the triage was quick and efficient; the nurse practitioners so professional. I was also struck by the personal and positive atmosphere there. The radiographer who took me back to find the nurse when I was getting rather tired; paramedic who stopped to chat to a 'regular' clearly lonely lady; the nurse who stopped to note the cast on my arm as I left when my only encounter with him had been to tell him I thought the patient he was calling had popped to the toilet; the other patients in reception who kept an eye out on an elderly lady who was struggling with the wait.

I'm sure it's not always as smooth there but compared with the typical visit to the hospital (where I am also a volunteer) in my home town it was incredible. I think it would be interesting and productive for a couple of staff members at both hospitals to switch for a week and see if they can identify how to replicate the approach at Exeter.