"I felt like I was a burden in the emergency department."

I came into A&E at around 4am on Monday morning and it was a nightmare. I felt like from the minute I walked through the door I was already a burden.

The receptionist didn't seem to care about how much pain I was in, it seemed like to this member of staff I was just another number on a very long list. Staff were visibly distressed and were running around all night. The emergency department is so understaffed and under resourced it's a shambles.

It scared me to see other patients not wearing masks and not maintaining the 2 metre social distancing rule. I felt extremely isolated, alone and scared down there for hours, not knowing what was going on. I was in so much pain and nothing was relieving it. It hit a point where I hadn't slept for a day and a half, I was just waiting and waiting and waiting to be seen. I got up and said to the receptionist that I had had enough and that I would consider writing a formal complaint as I knew my health was being compromised, it was only after this threat that staff made a huge effort to get me in straight away. After an assessment down in the waiting area and a couple of tests I was taken up to the ward 4 North. 

Now on this ward a few days I can comment on how outstanding the staff are. All members of staff just can't do enough. I am treated with respect and dignity and the staff  completely empathize with how much pain I am in. My consultant has taken plenty of time to explain everything regarding my care so well and all my questions have been answered. I am extremely happy with the treatment I have received and feel like all my needs are being met.

I am recovering on a clean ward where hygiene is outstanding. The toilet and shower facilities are first class and the food and access to water is also really good. The ward itself is big and spacious and I like how I can have some privacy if I want it via the blue curtain, but I do take many opportunities to interact with the rest of the patients on my bay, its hard to believe how close we have all become in such a short time period. 

Finally staff attitude towards their work in this ward is so inspiring to see. I feel privileged to have such a highly skilled medial and nursing team caring for me and I am looked after so well that against all odds I'm on the road to a full recovery.