I have been really quite disappointed with my visit to the EPU department at Croydon University Hospital.
I empathise with the fact NHS staff are under severe pressures to deal with patients considering understaffing. However, I felt that my presence was a hindrance and that I was being dealt with quickly so that I could be ushered out for the next patient. Considering the reasons for going to an EPU, this seemed highly insensitive. Plus, when taking bloods, this too was rushed and was botched slightly, wiggling the needle in my arm to find the vein.
I also was angered that I was the first person to arrive, at 8.10am, for the walk-in only to have other walk-in patients (who arrived much later than me) be seen first. Surely the point of a walk-in is first come first serve. I understand patients with appointments being seen at their times, that's not the issue. This seemed like a clerical error between midwife and reception staff. Considering I arrived very early so as to avoid having to wait a long time once the EPU opened, I was still left waiting for another hour. Complete waste of my time.
Ultimately, neither of my visits in the last two days have been very comforting. I truly empathise with the stresses on the NHS, but I really feel this was quite unacceptable.
"Visit to EPU"
About: Croydon University Hospital / Gynaecology Croydon University Hospital Gynaecology CR7 7YE
Posted via nhs.uk
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