"What constitutes as an 'emergency'?"

Attended A and E yesterday after dropping a pan of boiling water down my thigh. After seeking advice from 111, I was informed to go the A and E and that I had an appointment within 25 minutes. This burn spread the front and side of my thigh and blistered almost instantly, the burning sensation lasted hours - I was in absolute agony.

Upon arrival at the A and E, I was stood in the reception queue, in floods of tears in pain - I wasn't seen for close to ten minutes at reception, standing on the burnt leg, despite several nurses and staff walking past.

I was then told, there was no appointments and that I could be waiting 2 hours, with patients having waited 20. Why is this appointment service in force? I truly wonder how long I could have been made to stand there excruciating pain.

Next, I was asked to sit and wait, having a panic attack due to the pain, my boyfriend was then asked to leave as it was "patient only". I cannot comprehend how grossly unfair this was in the circumstances.

After 10-15 minutes, a receptionist took it upon herself to rush me through to give me something for the pain, and I'm very thankful for her doing so and I was finally seen.

However, the treatment received in A and E was just as bad. After being seen in a triage bay I felt like a burden - one doctor came in and saw me for a maximum of 15 seconds, stating 'first degree' . He then left. I sat for a further 15 minutes in excruciating pain, with several nurses coming into my bay to grab things they needed (chairs, BP machines - not for me), and nobody updating me on my treatment or giving me anything to cool the burn. After close to 20 minutes in the treatment bay, I asked a nurse in the state I was in why nobody was helping and finally received a dose of morphine. The burn was evidently severe for morphine to be given.

After 20 minue passed, a doctor I hadn't seen before asked me to leave my bay and I was placed on a staff chair.

My leg was eventually dressed, to which a doctor came over and stopped the nurse in her tracks stating the dressing must be removed due to heat, to which it was torn back off. Unnecessary. I was then told I was discharged on ibuprofen, I had to beg for a stronger painkiller.

5 different people treated me, each not knowing the previous persons actions.

The whole A and E process from start to finish was a mess. It was grossly unfair. I attended in agony, severely distressed from the pain and had to beg for help. I truly wonder how long I could have sat if that lady at reception hadn't took it upon herself to rush me through. This morning, I'm left with 10 blisters over 50p in size, no dressing, with burning continuing. I will be attending my walk in centre to have this dealt with.

To pride themselves on the values this hospital does, and leave a patient unseen in so much pain is frankly, unbelievable.

The NHS is at its capacity, staff are overwhelmed, but this is showing in patient care. If that wasn't an emergency - what is.