"Poor"

What could be improved

Entire provision and process of A&E gynae care. I took my wife to A&E with suspected ectopic pregnancy around 7pm on a weeknight - the unit was reasonably quiet with only about 4 patients waiting. Was told that the gynae (Early pregnancy unit) unit had shut and that the wait was likely to be around "14 hours" when it would be open the next day, with a triage being around 4 hours wait. Whilst the reception nurse was sympathetic and appeared concerned at the symptoms, she was not allowed to examine my wife and appeared to be told to put my wife into the system. The registration form given to us was not colour coded, presumably because someone had made the decision, without examination, that we were not an emergency.

I then call Whipps Cross Hospital and spoke to the Ward manager of Rowen Gynae Ward at Whipps who was appalled at what we had been told and advised us to drive to Whipps Cross where she said after registering at A&E and triaged, we would be taken straight to the gynae ward there.

We did this, were immediatley given a red priority allocation, were triaged and had initial urine test/pressure tests with a nurse within half an hour. We were then seen and fully examined and imaged by a registrar within 40 mins.

What can I say when my local hospital provides such a disgusting service not warranting the title 'Accident and Emergency'. I have little faith in the ability of this hospital to satisfactorily deal with patients in need. The fact we did not have a GP letter of referral, it was suggested put us at a diadvantage. We needed an A&E service, not a visti to the GP surgery which is obviously closed in the evenings.RegistrationTriageEctopic pregnancyEmergencyNoise levelsOpening hoursPatient careReceptionWardReferralsAccidentsServiceAccident and emergencyGP Practice