I was brought to A&E by ambulance direct from my GP's surgery with a suspected heart attack. I have a long-term condition that makes me susceptible to heart attacks so you would think I might have been a priority but after waiting in a cold cubicle for two and half hours I still hadn't seen a doctor. I was told that I needed to see a doctor before I could have a blood test. There was very little privacy available and I clearly overhead a doctor tell the patient in the cubicle next to me that there was a three hour wait for blood results. At that point I really felt the best option was to go home to rest (which was impossible in the A&E) so I opted to go home rather than keep waiting.
I wish I could say this was a one off experience but having needed A&E for a fracture last year I first tried NGH, who had a six hour wait, but a nurse told me quietly to try Rotherham instead and it was very good advice. I was seen quite quickly at Rotherham and opted to keep going there for follow-up treatments, despite the added journey.
Would not recommend this A&E to anyone.
"A&E waiting times too long"
About: Northern General Hospital Northern General Hospital Sheffield S5 7AU
Posted via nhs.uk
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