"Short of ward staff"

I was admitted to A&E with shortness of breath and chest pains. I received excellent attention, but then had to lie on a trolley for three hours until I was admitted. The following day's treatment was fine and I kept well informed about my treatment. I was moved to ward 35 which I was told was not normally open, but due to demand it had opened but the staff were different everyday. They were mainly bank staff auxiliaries, with Hospital staff nurses from wherever they could be found. Consequently, they had to spend the first part of the morning getting up to date with patient notes. The staff themselves were very helpful indeed, but they were under a lot of pressure and the ward did not always have the equipment needed. They never knew which doctors would be attending, or when, but they were willing to do anything to help patients when they had time. I have no complaints about the medical side, but the food was pretty awful and very unappetising. Food for sick people needs to be light and nourishing. Fortunately I did not have any appetite.