"Concerning practice"

Ended up in A&E recently - paramedics in ambulance were absolutely brilliant and I expected a wait to be seen. Triaging in the ambulance took around 40 minutes and I was quickly taken to have bloods taken and an ECG from a lovely man.

It went downhill from there. It was a Saturday evening and around 6 people including me were on beds in the corridor. We were left in the corridor for around 4 hours and a few doctors (I actually have no idea as nobody introduced themselves or explained what they wanted to do) came up to us - usually after my husband asking for an update. At one point, I had a doctor (I assume) come up to me and start writing down what jewellery I was wearing. When questioned whether I was being admitted - we were told no, it was just in case. Such a lack of communication. Most doctors mumbled and this was a particular challenge for me as I am hard of hearing. At one point, a doctor completely ignored me and talked to my husband as if I wasn't even there - humiliating, unprofessional and rude.

I have to ask what some of these professionals were doing to be honest. From what I could see, it did not look overly busy and staff sat at the desk barely moved - even receiving a back rub from another colleague at one point and was moaning about wanting to go home. Two cleaners leisurely ambling up and down the corridor carrying a roll of bin liners and at one point, both of them were cleaning a tiny sticky mark by the desk - one sprayed the product and the other wiped it up. Absolutely ludicrous when the toilets smelt foul and they could have spent that time cleaning them.

I was concerned to see an elderly man in the corridor half asleep having his catheter changed - surely this breaches infection control procedures, and what about his dignity?!

Another elderly lady was asking for the toilet and was given a commode which she told them she didn't want but was basically told tough, use the commode.

After 2 more hours of waiting and being told I needed a CT scan - nobody explained why or how long we might we waiting, I self discharged. Extremely poor communication, questionable infection control and a distinct lack of patient care. The very basics are not in place and explains their needs improvement rating.