"A&E Waiting Double Standards"

I attended A&E for sudden onset severe headache, signposted by NHS 111. On arrival my partner and I were told that only I would be able to stay in the waiting area due to covid rules, which being a nurse myself I completely understand. However we noticed that other couples were allowed to stay together, so this rule was clearly not rigourously enforced. My partner waited outside for over an hour but after seeing fights developing outside and the apparent disregard of the rule by others in the waiting area, they came back inside to sit with me for a brief period of time.

I understand that this was flouting the rule, however I was humiliatingly called over to the reception window and informed that if my partner didn't leave then security would be called. There was absolutely no reason for this sudden escalation or for the receptionist to speak to me in this manner, when they could have just reiterated the rule politely. Being reasonable people we did comply with this without raising a fuss, but we felt unfairly singled out as other people were able to remain as companions to support waiting patients with not so much as a word in their direction.  

I will say that whenever I have attended NGH in the past I have always found the care to be excellent, but this was an upsetting experience that didn't need to happen and made a stressful time even more so.