"Wonderful staff, terrible system"

Anything else?

The healthcare professionals who all saw me were excellent. All were attentive, thorough and explained all of the procedure clearly. My complaint is directed instead at the management of A&E and above - I entered the hospital at 3pm via ambulance and only left by 11pm, spending at most an hour of that time receiving healthcare and the rest of my time waiting with a damaged arm that was seizing up. I understand completely that I was a minor injury case and that more urgent patients will always be of more importance - I was more appalled at the inefficiency of the entire process. I don't know why I had to wait so long but I can only assume it was not due to the medical staff themselves, more a lack of them working that day. My maxillofacial surgeon was wonderfully relaxed and methodical. My doctor was rushed but also methodical, caring and not patronising. Both had superb bedside manner. Perhaps I'm being naive and expecting too much of a free health service (ignoring indirect payment via taxes) but after having waited for five hours after being checked over I was ready to ask for a mirror and a set of sutures myself. I'd be more than happy to be contacted to provide further feedback or assistance in lobbying for more resources for the department. One last thing: for anyone who was considering using their face as a means of braking I'd strongly advise against it.