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Care Opinion

Waiting time

Posted By Armour39

"Waiting time"

About: The Ulster Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

I visited accident and emergency with my son. He fell and split his face open. It needed medical attention so we came to the Ulster hospital accident and emergency department. My son is type one diabetic and we made them aware of this when we arrived.

After 4 hours I noticed my son become shaky I asked if it was possible that he could leave as he was in need of something to eat I was advised that he was 7th in the queue and if we left and he was called he would have to go back to the start. The vending machines were broken and I had to ask a family beside us that had crisps and sweets if my son could have any and made them aware of the situation.

Another 2 hours had passed I asked again if my son would be seen soon I was told he was next in the queue. That was 2 hours ago and numerous people have been seen since. I understand that there are urgent cases and they may take preference but my son was in intense pain on his face and he is also autistic so that didn’t help the situation also.

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Nicholson, Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust about a year and a half ago
Jennifer Nicholson
Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E,
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 16/11/2022 at 18:48
Published on Care Opinion at 18:48

Hi Armour39

Thank you for telling us of your experience of attending the Ulster hospital ED with your son and sorry to hear it has not been a positive one. The NHS has been under extreme pressure which has been much in the media in recent days and ED's are particularly experiencing that pressure with increased attendances. Your son's long wait to be seen is the not what we wish for our patients or their families and the staff are working extra hard to see, treat and priortise patients under the circumstances and we can only apologise to you and your son. Unfortunately waiting times and the priorities change frequently depending on emergencies coming into the department so it is impossible to give accurate waiting times.

The vending machines are serviced by outside companies and with up to 400 people attending in a 24 hour period they are often over used and it does take some time for the company to fix them when reported if broken.

I do hope your son is recovering from his injury and again wish to apologise for the long wait.

Kind Regards

Jenny

Lead Nurse ED

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