"I had to visit And E with a elderly ..."

What I liked

I had to visit And E with a elderly friend who had hurt his leg, he had hearing problems and was blind.

A and E staff were obviously unable to cope with the pressures of the job, and the whole place is understaffed and over worked, nobody cared less for the patients or what they are going through.

Although Diabetic he was kept waiting for over 4 hours, no one even asked if he had eaten. After eventually seeing a very ignorant doctor he was told to would be admitted to ward 14. After some 6 and 1/2 hours he was moved to ward 14.

On ward 14, the staff did not seem very interested in him or his condition; he was merely a hindrance to their routine. Junior Doctors, obviously overworked and unmotivated could not grasp the need for basic communication, and one nurse in particular was totally ignorant to my friends plight and condition, spent about 10 minutes talking to him whilst looking at his notes, which was a waste of time as he is hard of hearing, the nurse just thought it was amusing when I reminded them that he could not hear, and just walked away.

After been given three different opinions from nursing staff and junior doctors, he was moved late in the evening to ward 51.

The Sister and some of the experienced staff were exceptional, they did seem to understand the needs of those getting on in years and the requirement for consideration and patience in dealing with patience.

It is regrettable that the staff especially on A and E treat people like cattle and with less sympathy than someone would give to an injured animal. The doctors on A and E and ward 14 cannot even communicate.

What could be improved

Outside inspection of A and E, basic communication skills especially for Doctors, more motivated caring staff on A and E. and get rid of the dead wood.

Anything else?

Rember you are treating people, just like your own family, mothers fathers, sons daughters and not pieces of paper or machnes.