"It was all a bit of a sorry shambles."

I arrived into to a waiting room of probably 16 patients at 8:45. It was three hours before I was first triaged and then another 2.5 hours before I was taken through to the doctors area for a consultation. During that time the waiting room had filled up to people standing and queuing up to check In. 

When I went through, the student doctor was struggling for beds to do an initial consultation, it did seem a very small area for a very big hospital. People were bumping into each other. Five doctors were at desks. The qualified doctor I saw was visibly stressed and I felt initially under pressure to be quick.  I felt I had to really make them listen. Beds weren’t wiped/cleaned between patients. Can I say that all this is an observation of a department obviously under terrible pressure. I was made aware of the limitations of A&E.

My subsequent x-ray however was to a very quiet, and super friendly department. The doctor then re found me, and think had realised I had been concerned, and offered me treatment via a clinic. 

Regards the waiting room experience. I was shocked to be honest. No one was policing the doors, and we had three unsavoury characters enter via the disabled door asking for money. Another guy snuck in and locked himself in the toilet for some 15 minutes- this was reported by a patient and then two porters had to remove him. 

The toilets were disgusting- filthy and no sign of any cleaners throughout the period I was there. The mens had no door on and stank- if you sit at the back of the waiting room, you are in for a very stinky stay. The disabled toilet which I used wouldn’t lock (maybe to deter people misusing it! ) . 

I didn’t feel my time at A&E was a particularly safe or clean experience I’m afraid. 

This department needs some re thinking in terms of space, facilities, volunteers, or more staff. It was all a bit of a sorry shambles.