Text size

Theme

Language

"Sat and waited with countless others"

About: The Ulster Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

Sat and waited with countless others for 6 hours for simple blood results. The reason for the wait was that "acutely ill" patients took priority. However, the treatment room was seemingly full of people under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some Staff rude and didn't like being approached to be asked about the long wait times. Couple of them were sarcastic in their responses and talked down to people as if they were children. When it reached the early hours of the morning two patients who had been there for more than 6 hours left the emergency department because they still hadn't been seen by a doctor.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jennifer Nicholson, Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust 2 years ago
Jennifer Nicholson
Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E,
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 06/09/2022 at 17:55
Published on Care Opinion at 17:55


Hi hotelgt97

Thank you for telling us about your experience while attending the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department. I would like to apologise for the long wait to be seen. Blood results will not be released without a medical assessment as they may patients false reassurance and often additional tests are required following examination.

As an organisation and regionally the NHS is experiencing severe pressures on our services; this is particularly felt overnight as our medical staffing drops to minimum levels.

Staff will be reminded in our safety briefs to be professional in their interactions with patients and families and that is the standard we would expect.

I hope you are doing well.

Kind Regards

Jenny

Lead Nurse ED

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k