"My experience of William Harvey A&E"

Arrived at 5pm. I was seen immediately by receptionist and told to wait in department waiting area. I was seen within ten minutes by triage nurse who took vital signs, and then told to wait for blood tests by another nurse. I was then seen approximately half an hour later. Bloods were taken, but I had a long wait for results.

Meanwhile, I was seen by doctor for physical examination and asked to take a urine sample. I was seen by doctor again at 7.30 pm with blood results and urine test result allowed to go home. I left hospital at 8 pm.

I have not gone into details reference my diagnosis and treatment. Suffice it to say I am having chemo for lymphoma and have to take precautions if certain symptoms arise as directed by the emergency service chemo nurse, which is what I did.

The A&E department is too small, too hot and no outside light available. It must be very frightening for patients who do not know what is going to happen next and there is no explanation given. Staff need to say who they are, what they are going to do and what is going to happen next.

The length of time to individual patients is vital for their wellbeing. Three hours was an unacceptable waiting time in my view. Too small a space means infections could spread easily to those present.

I do appreciate the constraints that staff are working under and have every sympathy for them.