"Great staff but the waiting area facilities are far from ideal"

Emergency Surgical Unit – Antrim Area Hospital

I am writing as a frequent patient of the Emergency Surgical Unit (EMSU) at Antrim Area Hospital, particularly due to ongoing and recurrent Perianal disease involving abscesses and complex fistulae. First, I would like to sincerely thank the nursing staff, doctors, and wider team for the compassion and care consistently shown. The professionalism and dedication of the EMSU staff are truly appreciated and should be commended.

However, I do feel compelled to raise a concern regarding the physical comfort and environment of the EMSU waiting area, particularly given the nature of this “hot clinic,” where patients are often in acute pain or recovering from surgery. The lightly padded grey chairs in the corridor, while functional for general use, are simply not suitable for patients like myself who are experiencing significant perianal pain.

As you will know, Perianal disease can involve deep and complex fistulae that may pass through muscle, making both sitting and standing extremely painful. Often, lying on the side is the only tolerable position, but there is no provision for this while awaiting results or review. For those waiting extended periods — sometimes hours for blood or scan results — this becomes not just uncomfortable, but potentially detrimental.

There have been occasions where I have not been able to take pain relief, as I am not technically an inpatient, and asking for help in these situations is both embarrassing and emotionally taxing — especially when the condition itself already brings a great deal of distress and stigma.

I hope this can be taken as a constructive suggestion from someone with long-standing experience of this condition. The current environment is not just uncomfortable; it may actively contribute to worsening symptoms, including increased risk of fistula spread or extension, which lowers the chance of successful treatment outcomes.

With this in mind, I would kindly urge the Trust to consider making the EMSU waiting experience more tolerable — whether that be through more appropriate seating options for high-pain patients, adjustable reclining chairs, or even access to a private area where those in severe discomfort can lie down safely and discreetly.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for the continued care of the staff at Antrim.

Yours sincerely,