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"Emergency Department"

About: Emergency Department / Minor Injuries University Hospital Wishaw / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

Attended the Emergency Department as had had a fall and split head, the wait time was 10-11hours at this time. Triaged really quickly, staff were friendly and chatted throughout time with them, they cleaned the wound as best they could and then back to wait area.

The wait time gradually increased over the next few hours to 14 hours. I asked if I should go home and come back to minor injuries at 9am, however as head injury had to stay. Pain relief requested at 4.30 but had to ask again at 9 for this as had been forgotten about.

Staff provided bottled water, jugs of diluting juices and sandwiches at 8am for those in waiting area. No one seemed to be called through after being triaged until after 8am. Hospital at capacity so no movement of patients from department through to the wards, people waiting in ambulances too!

Called through - to minor injuries at 10am with wound glued and stapled and discharged with further information at 10.30am, much quicker than others. The chairs in the department are awful - steel or aluminium very uncomfortable when sitting for extended periods of time, especially when already sore from a fall!

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Responses

Response from Julie Coyle, Senior Nurse - Emergency Care, University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire 4 days ago
Julie Coyle
Senior Nurse - Emergency Care, University Hospital Wishaw,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 10/11/2025 at 18:49
Published on Care Opinion at 18:49


Dear Augusthg37,

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience in our Emergency Department. I’m very sorry to hear about your fall and the discomfort you experienced during your wait — especially with a head injury and the long hours involved.

I’m glad to hear our triage team responded quickly and that staff were friendly and attentive during your time with them. However, I want to sincerely apologise for the delay in receiving pain relief and for the discomfort caused by the seating in the waiting area. Your feedback about the chairs and the overall waiting experience is extremely valuable, and I’ll make sure it’s shared with the relevant teams to explore improvements.

We understand how difficult it can be to wait for care, especially when the department is at full capacity. I appreciate your patience, and I’m pleased to hear that once you were seen by Minor Injuries, your treatment and discharge were handled efficiently.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Best wishes,

Julie.

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