"A long evening. . . . . ."

Between Christmas and New Year [2014] I fell and sliced my ear almost in two. I drove myself on this Saturday night to A & E. It was quite busy but not full. Most of the people were, like me, walking wounded or with debilitating problems like toothache. There was one drunk who was put in a corner to sleep it off. I expected to wait three hours but, in fact, was seen within two. My treatment lasted an hour and a half. The reception staff, Triage nurse, and treatment doctor were very steady and calm, patient, sympathetic and gave their time with a smile and a listening ear. Fortunately, that night, there seemed to be few ambulance arrivals to make the evening longer or more complicated! I have nothing but praise for these wonderful people!! Do I have any thoughts?. . .of course!! I was surrounded by people who moaned incessantly because they weren't being seen soon enough - this was mostly fuelled by the news reports; the result makes for a sharks' feeding frenzy making the lives of other patients and staff more difficult! At least two patients rang 111 thinking they would be seen sooner than the others. . . . .their efforts were not rewarded and we were seen in the order we arrived! Having gone through A & E and being fairly well informed regarding hospital procedures, I would suggest more information-boards on the walls of waiting areas regarding: how hospital departments work, the differences from daytime to night time, how protocols and and safety systems affect department working, etc., etc.. Any information can serve only give people a better understanding of the world they inhabit - without it we sit in waiting areas and listen to opinions not founded on evidence and that is just prejudice!! Thank you for looking after me!