"Visit to A&E"

Had a fall at home and sustained a facial injury.  Was seen by very lovely care staff through triage and into the waiting area to see a GP. I was given head xray, head scan then a 360 facial xray/scan throughout the evening and following day.

Unfortunately only 2 GPS on duty for my duration overnight, then only one extra for the Saturday day shift so wait times extremely high. 15hrs in total.. this is certainly not a complaint as I fully understand staff can only work as fast as they are able with what staff are available and fully understand the possibility that more serious conditions bump you down the list.

I very much appreciate all staff were extremely kind and I appreciate coffee and biscuits were laid on in the evening/morning with breakfast if wanted. Also due to being there so long my battery on my phone ran out but sister in charge found a charger for me so I could kep in contact with my family. 

I fortunately come from nursing based background, so definitely understand the pressure put on the staff... unfortunately some patients haven't the understanding and patience which then get put onto the staff with extra questions as I witnessed and with patients becoming aggressive in manner.

I wondered as I was looking around if posters on the walls explaining why you aren't seen immediately or that fact priority patients drop you down the list if you leave the hospital you are putting yourself at risk (as someone was trying to do, but not understand the implications of this) etc which may allow waiting patients to have an understanding of what's going on behind the scenes.

I'd like to finish by saying a big thank you to all staff members who I met that evening at PAH Harlow. Everything they did for me is much appreciated.  Thank you.