"A&E"

My partner had chest palpitations on 3 Aug and after speaking to NHS 111 was advised to go to A&E. We got there shortly before 9pm and completed registration. Waiting room was full and very hot. Saw Triage nurse within 30 mins then asked to wait. We sat in the waiting room until approx. 4.30am, during which time my partner had his blood pressure etc taken twice. The 1 vending machine was out of order so there was no access to something to eat, although there was cold water dispensers available. People were "unofficially" told waiting time was up to 5 hours - although the only time any member of staff spoke to the waiting room was just before 4am when she said that the waiting time was going to be 7hours+ after registering, this was due to the Doctors having to work on emergency patients. Due to the heat there were plastic cups all over the place and nothing was cleaned away during the entire time. It was obvious that the Department was busy and all the staff were working flat out, and there can be no criticism against them. It would be helpful for someone to update people on potential waiting times and for the provision of food and drink to be available for people who may have to wait so many hours.