"I left A&E feeling like a valuable person"

I went to A&E with my partner for self-harm as my wounds needed sutures.

I did not wait long for triage and was asked the normal questions to assess the situation. I was asked how much pain I was in and offered painkillers. The triage nurse was professional but polite and didn't rush me when I found it hard to speak.

The next nurse I saw was very sweet. Not only was she patient and kind but she related to me on a human level. She explained that in these situations they call the mental health liaison who would do an assessment to help me get the help and support I needed. If I wanted it. She always gave me the option. She said it would be a 3 hour wait and asked if I decided I didn't want to wait, would I just leave or would I tell her. She said after I saw them they would take care of my wounds.

I waited maybe an hour and a half and the psychiatric nurse came and saw me. I was taken into a private room and we had an hour and a half chat about everything. He was also very kind and very patient and I have no doubt he was genuinely interested in my well-being and helping me get what I needed.

I was then treated with steri-strips (they also cleaned the wound of course) behind a closed curtain. The nurse gave me follow up advice and I was sent home with more steri-strips in case mine became loose or fell off before they needed to.

I went into A&E feeling like a worthless waste of space and left feeling like a valuable person that was deserving of kindness and help.

Thank you!