"Emergency Assessment Unit N Tees"

Referral to EAU was a relief given the concerns over my condition, having felt unwell for some time so it was good to have BP, COVID test, ECG and bloods taken by efficient, friendly nursing staff. After that being parked on a chair in waiting was less positive although receiving a warning that this could take over two hours I had little idea what to expect. A loud tv showing repeats of Judge Judy at a volume that was difficult to ignore wasn’t helpful. Having arrived from an Urgent Care centre I was completely unprepared for a lengthy wait but understood that blood analysis is not instant so was prepared to be patient. Little information is given to waiting patients so we’d no idea who was next nor what progress if any was being made. Meanwhile my wife waited outside in a parked car. There was a steady stutter of medics passing through collecting patient files but no structure apparent to those of us waiting. Eventually a junior medic checked me over saying that she would need to consult a senior for advice and that she was awaiting some blood results. There was no hint of a problem with this and a bit later they sent me for an X-ray without explanation. I almost refused it as I did not understand why it was necessary but went ahead. Again more waiting and someone brought us a sandwich after 3 or 4 hours (welcome) and a drink. By now losing patience I began asking what was going on, it turned out my blood results were incomplete, hence the delay. After further questioning discharge followed after 7 hours along with some medication and some unclear advice. There was a shortage of consultation rooms at all times it seemed and once our discussion was held in a passageway. Medical staff at all times seemed busily employed if not efficiently so.

At no time did anyone appear to hygienically clean either chairs or door handles despite their shared use.

On arrival there were 9 others waiting. Discharge after assessment took 7 hours. The appointment with another department that was supposedly made had in fact not gone through the correct procedure so did not in fact exist. This only came to light thanks to the good offices of another medic who I was consulting on another matter.

Whilst I am grateful for their care, consideration and expertise it seems that this team of medics are being let down by an opaque system that leaves patients feeling like mushrooms kept in the dark and must surely frustrate the medics involved. Yes apologies were given but this was a woeful unreapeatable experience.