"Emergency department - when compassion is dried up"

It has taken me over a year to build up courage to write my story of my experience as a patient at the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department.

I am not one for visiting an emergency department and only would do so on the advice of my GP. I attended at in the evening with severe back pain with problems with my bladder and bowel. I was triaged to be seen at the urgent care centre. They were very busy and at no time did I complain of the extended  length of time I had to wait. I understood staff were under pressure.  

Clinically I was treated very well by the doctor who initially saw me and I was referred to an orthopaedic registrar who was also lovely.  They both showed compassion towards me and treated me with both dignity and respect.  I have no concerns about my medical care.

My issues were with some of the nursing staff, in particular one nurse whose attitude towards me was degrading and I was so embarrassed in the way they spoke at me rather than to me.  I broke down in tears distraught something that has traumatised me .  

As I sat in the waiting area waiting for over 9 hours I could not help but notice how some of the other nursing staff would speak to patients when they asked about waiting times or needing some sort of care .  They did not show compassion or respect.

I would like the assurance that something will be done to ensure  future patients attending your department will not be greeted by similar attitudes and behaviour.

I recently attended the Ulster Hospital with a family member. They were under exceptional pressure and were very busy yet all staff who we encountered showed respect and compassion. A different experience.altogether.