"Thank you A&E"

Anything else?

I was brought to Watford A&E with a damaged shoulder and having struck my head on the ground as a result of an unplanned dismount from my bicycle. For an unknown, but thought to be short, period I had lost consciousness. Ambulance and A&E staff were all courteous, caring and, as far as I can tell (I've very limited emergency victim experience), professional. I seemed to be admitted and examined quickly. Whether this was due to A&E being quiet or a head wound and potential neck/back injury being a high priority, I do not know, but it all seemed very efficient. During examination and treatment staff kept me informed of what was happening and what they were finding/deciding. This continued overnight while I was kept in for observation. The hourly wake-ups for lucidity/coherence/iris sensitivity checking were a nuisance (didn't get much sleep) but their purpose was explained and thus appreciated and they were always done with good humour. In fact good humour is the common thread that ran through all the staff I encountered during my visit and treatment. I was treated with respect at all times, even when being chided for not having been wearing a helmet! In my opinion, if circumstances dictate that you have to be whisked off to A&E, you can do worse than "choose" Watford Hospital.